Watch your tongues lest you burn the country, politicians told

Kemnac chair Sheikh Juma Ngao at Hotel Sapphire’s street iftar on Tuesday / BRIAN OTIENO

Kenya Muslim National Advisory Council chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao has cautioned politicians against abusive and inciting language as the country heads towards the 2027 general elections.

Sheikh Ngao said some of the talk by political leaders could easily set fire in the country.

“Allah loves this country a lot. We are surrounded by warring countries but we are living peacefully. Let us not this take this peace for granted,” Sheikh Ngao said.

Speaking at a street iftar organisd by Hotel Sapphire outside the hotel on Tuesday, Sheikh Ngao said peace is cultivated.

This, he said, can be achieved by taking great care of what one spews whenever they are in public.

He called on politicians to guard their tongues when speaking in public.

“Before you speak, ask yourself, will your words build or destroy? Will they bring peace or cause chaos?” he said.

“Your word on the pulpit or the mimbar or the podium in a political rally can spark a domino of actions that can potentially burn the country,” Sheikh Ngao said.

His sentiments come in the wake of concerns about the abusive language which senior politicians both in government and opposition are using against each other.

There has been a verbal war between members of the Kenya Kwanza regime led by President William Ruto and the United Opposition led by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua which has degenerated into shameful mudslinging.

The Muslim cleric said life is not only about politics or winning political wars.

“It will be a sin for you to utter words that spark violence that end up burning the country,” he said.

“Let us not ask for what is happening in Iran or Syria to happen in Kenya. It is not easy to live under such circumstances,” Sheikh Ngao said.

He urged youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause chaos against each other.

The cleric also took issue with the social media platform TikTok where he said young Muslim girls are exposing their bodies to strangers , against Islamic values.

“It is disheartening what our daughters are doing on TikTok, with buibuis and hijabs, you would think they never went through madrassa,” Sheikh Ngao said.

The Muslim cleric said there has to be a way to remove Muslim ladies from TikTok.

“To our daughters, and even sons, when you upload on TikTok, your video, dancing while almost naked, know that when you die, and leave that video there, you will regret in the grave,” he said.

He called on Muslim ladies to leave TikTok platforms or if they insist on staying, then upload useful messages that will ensure they get blessings while in the grave.

Sheikh Ngao also asked imams and other Islamic leaders to spread the message against Muslim girls being in TikTok on their mimbars.

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

As the country titters towards the 2027 general elections, politicians are now upping their political rhetoric, some of which are not positive. Religious leaders are showing concern over the vitriol spewed by politicians.