By Hassan Ole Naado

January 1 - January 15, 2012. (Safar 7, 1433 A.H) www.thenewdawn.info

Marhaba MagazineSpecial Feature

Continued on Pg 2

Religious and community leaders confer during the KMYA forum on security challenges in Garissa.

Mariam Ahmed talks about her

UNFPA award-P7

Abdulsatar: A man with a vision for empowerment

of Muslims-P5

Forum asks Govt to rethink

security strategyForum asks

Govt to rethink security strategyResidents of Garissa and neighbouring districts say foreigners are carrying

out terror attacks in North Eastern with help from local accomplices

Mistrust between security agencies and the civilian population in the frontline regions bordering Somalia may jeopardise Kenya’s military operation against the al-Shabaab militant group and even frustrate ongoing

homeland security efforts.A grassroots crisis meeting organised over the Christmas weekend

by the Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance (KMYA) in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) to discuss the sudden rise of grenade and machinegun attacks in Garissa Town revealed that many residents of North Eastern Province are unwilling to assist the government arrest perpetrators of these attacks and even prevent some of the attacks because security agents simply ignore their input or end up victimising the very people who volunteer information.

Photo: Iddi Musyemi

Muslims candidates perform poorly in 2011 KCPE

Vol. 07 Issue N0: 5

By Fauzia Wangare

For the second year running, Muslim students have once again performed poorly as others had their results cancelled due to irregularities.

At the Coast, students at Ganjoni Intergrated Mixed Primary School saw their results withheld by the Ministry of Education. In Mombasa County the highest scorer managed 437 marks while the least had 428; Lamu County the highest had 406 and least scored 371; Garissa 416 and the least 399; Mandera 414 and the least 378; Wajir had 406 and the least 395.

County-wise among the top 20, Wajir was at position 13 while Mandera stood at position 20 as Garissa came in at number 22.

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012.2 / National News

Continued from Pg 1

Kenya Defence Forces personnel on patrol.

Rethink security strategy, forum tells Govt

For example, a fact-finding mission organised by KMYA was told that the brutality visited upon good Samaritans who rushed to assist security officers injured when an explosive device blew up the vehicle they were riding in around the Daadab refugee camp has discouraged local people from assisting the government in security matters.

“We fear victimisation and that is why we would rather say nothing and run away when our help is needed. Youth leaders recently reported that they came across people planting devices near the refugee camp and when they reported to the police, they were instead beaten and locked up for interrogation as suspects,” a local youth leader said.

Since Kenya deployed the military in Somalia to pursue al-Shabaab militants that have lately posed a serious threat to the country’s national security, a series of deadly grenade and improvised explosive devises (IEDs) attacks have been carried out against certain establishments and residences where close to ten people, including children and women, have been wounded and killed.

This turn of events has raised concern among grassroots leaders in Garissa, with many of them wondering what has become of Garissa—a town that was two years ago voted the safest town in East and Central Africa.

“Why have we suddenly made this about-turn on peace and security when we were just voted the most peaceful and safest town in the entire East and Central Africa region? Why have we suddenly lost our humanity and where did the rain start beating us?” posed Sheikh Abdullahi Sirat, a senior SUPKEM official who hails from Garissa.

The recent attacks have targeted people perceived to be “outsiders”, a situation KMYA and SUPKEM fear could create religious and ethnic animosity between Muslims and Christians in this region and spill-over to other parts of the country.

Security agencies and other analysts see these attacks as “revenge” carried out by al-Shabaab sympathisers in Kenya who view Kenya’s military campaign in Somalia as a Christian crusade against Muslims and Somalis.

“It is wrong and unacceptable for anyone of us to interpret the ongoing Kenya military operation in Somalia as a war against the entire Somali community and use it as an excuse to attack innocent people elsewhere. Have we suddenly forgotten that Kenya’s defence minister is one of us? So how can anyone say that the operation in Somalia is a campaign against Muslims or Somalis?” Sheikh Sirat added.

Sheikh Mohamed Salat, a local Imam, said the attacks in Garissa have a direct link to the incursion into Somalia by the Kenya’s Defence Forces (KDF) three months ago.

He said that militant youths from Somalia have since been crossing into Kenya to carry out retaliatory attacks against certain targets and that a few locals from several parts of North Eastern Province, who are sympathetic to the Al-Shabaab course, are involved in facilitating the attacks.

Sheikh Salat, however, denounced the attacks and those who facilitate them saying; “Islam itself means peace and every local resident of Garissa who claims to be a Muslim must first and foremost embrace peace.”

He said that Muslims cannot practice their religion and worship effectively in the absence of peace, and that is why it is incumbent upon all Muslims to preach peace in their communities.

“The five pillars of Islam cannot thrive where there is no peace and security, and that is why Allah has made it incumbent upon all Muslims to embrace peace and commanded Muslims to protect the weak and innocent in society including securing the safety of people of other religions,” Sheikh Salat said.

The meeting that brought together youth, women, religious and community leaders provided a platform where participants spoke candidly about the recent wave of attacks in Garissa and its environs.

Majority of participants conceded that as much as the local people bear the greatest responsibility for the attacks because they have allowed criminal elements to operate from their midst, the security agencies are also to blame for not being proactive

and insisting on archaic methods of policing.A youth representative said that the recent

attacks in Garissa seem to have been carried out with a lot of sophistication, thus pointing to the fact that those who carried them out are people with advanced military training.

“The people who did these things appear to be well-trained beyond the capacity of local police. This is why the local police should seek new methods of tracking down these criminals by being proactive and not waiting for attacks to occur and then swing into action when it is already too late and start harassing innocent people,” said Aden Barre, a youth leader.

Barre added that since the conduct of Kenya security agents is very predictable, foreign elements come to Garissa to carry out attacks and sneak out knowing very well that the police will later swing into action to harass local innocent people. This, he said, has encouraged the attackers to perpetuate their criminal activities with impunity.

Another youth leader, Musa Mohamed, blamed security agents for ignoring the input of local people, saying that as long as the police continue relying on their “traditional” intelligence gathering systems, they will not get anywhere because the

situation in Garissa is very dynamic and, therefore, requires thinking “outside the box.”

“The government is relying on the same old informers to gather intelligence. But today we are dealing with sophisticated criminals and that is why we need the input of local people or officers who understand the local society better in order to deal with crime in Garissa,” Mr Mohamed said.

In this regard, there is a feeling in Garissa, and the entire North Eastern region, that the government should rethink its security strategy in this region by establishing mutually beneficial structures through which local people can play a more active and beneficial role in policing activities.

They said that lack of arrests and arraignment in court of suspected perpetrators of the Garissa attacks showed lack of concern by the government hence encouraging more attacks.

“We expected swift action in arresting and arraigning in court people who carried out attacks in Garissa the way the police have done in similar situations in Nairobi and Mombasa. But given that nobody has been arrested for the Garissa attacks, we believe the government does not care or is not serious,” said Sheikh Salat.

They also said that the long history of exclusion has created lack of interest by the local community to cooperate with government in security matters. The icy relationship between locals and the government machinery had made it difficult for a bigger population to volunteer information on criminal activities to the authorities not because they fear to give such information, but because they lack confidence in the government machinery.

The youth said they were not involved in security arrangements in the region yet they are the ones who bear the brunt of police operations whenever there is an attack.

According to them, the kind of attacks being carried out in Garissa, including the explosions targeted at security personnel in the refugee camps in Daadab and Ifo, are undertaken with the sophistication that is beyond the comprehension of “traditional” security committees. Hence, there is a need to incorporate young people in these security committees so that they can bring on board new skills of tracking down such sophisticated criminals.

Because of the apathy they have towards government machinery, the youth also admitted that some young people are being recruited into terror groups where they feel they are more useful.

But despite the challenges, participants resolved to use their grassroots networks and influence to restore and protect peace in Garissa, pointing out that there is no excuse whatsoever for someone or a group of people to create instability in Garissa.

“We must restore and protect the pride of Garissa as the safest and most peaceful town, and that is why all of us must work together,” said Sheikh Sirat.

He conceded that the attacks targeted at certain people perceived to be “outsiders” were placing the town on a dangerous trajectory and called upon the government to support the peace efforts being initiated by local leaders.

The explosions targeted at security personnel in the refugee camps in Daadab and Ifo, are undertaken

with the sophistication that is beyond the comprehension of traditional security committees...

Issues of Concern 1. KMYA has noted that if wave of attacks against perceived “outsiders” in Garissa is not addressed, it could easily escalate into a full-blown inter-religious conflict.2. People of the Somali community in Garissa should realise that there are very many members of their community spread across other parts of the country where they are doing very successful business. Hence, if

people other communities get to feel that their brethren are being targeted in Garissa, they may also launch revenge attacks against members of the Somali community living and doing business in other parts of the country. Such a situation is likely to plunge the country into another undesirable inter-ethnic conflict that Kenya is not ready to find itself in especially after the experience of the 2008 post-election violence and

given that the country is headed into a crucial election year. 3. The attacks targeted at perceived “outsiders” in Garissa are also likely to complicate Kenya’s military operation in Somalia, especially given the fact that Garissa itself is a strategic military outpost as far as the war in Somalia is concerned. If not addressed diplomatically, it could prompt the government to employ drastic measures

like declaring Garissa a security operation and probably impose martial law in the region like it did during the Shifta war. Given the economic developments that Garissa has recorded in peace time, nobody would like martial law to be declared in this region again because this will kill the entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Garissa and scare away investors, leading to economic decline.

National News / 3

COUNTY BRIEFS

By Iddi Musyemi

By A. Okinda and Mbarak Abucheri

New Kadhi named for Western Province

Muslims of Kakamega Prison appeal for Mosque

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012.

KAKAMEGA: Muslim community in Western province has good reason to celebrate following the official appointment and subsequent posting of new kadhi by Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmad Muhdhar.

Sheikh Kassim Atero is already stationed at Bungoma law courts. The region has for more than a year been without a judicial officer leading to backlog of cases.

Muslims in the region have been traveling all the way to Kisumu to be served by Nyanza Kadhi Sheikh Mohammed Rashid as the conventional courts in the region could not handle matters under the jurisdiction of the Kadhis courts.

Kadhis courts deal with domestic cases including marriages, divorce, inheritance and child neglect.

At the same time, the newly appointed Kadhi Kassim Atero called on Muslims in the region to embrace peace, unity and Islamic brotherhood in order to forge ahead in political and social

economic development.Sheikh Atero noted that forms of disunity

displayed by some Muslims were uncalled for as they had no Islamic basis. He further pointed out that the apparent disunity was impacting negatively on development issues for Muslims in the region.

Addressing worshipers at Kakamega Jamia Mosque in his maiden speech end of December 2011, Sheikh Atero promised that during his tenure as Western Kadhi his office will be an embodiment of unity and will work on consolidating unity and peace geared towards

promoting understanding and co-existence among the Muslims community and area residents.

However, Sheikh Atero castigated Muslim scholars who spend too much time on irrelevant, trivial and divisive issues leading to the neglect of more pressing issues facing the Muslim community.

He singled out poverty, unemployment among Muslims youth, drugs, declining Muslims education standards and moral decadence as some of the challenges being experienced in the Muslim community.

KAKAMEGA: Muslims in Kakamega GK Prison are in dire need of Islamic facilities that will accommodate right to practice their faith inside the incarceration precincts.

The Muslim population includes both prisoners and civil servants who work in the prison including children.

The Provincial Maalim Abdallah Omar said that there is need for Muslim community to help in completing a Mosque inside the prison in which all Muslims in the precincts will benefit from.

The prison holds and average of 100 Muslim prisoners including women who are sentenced for various crimes in Kakamega.

The construction of brick walled Mosque is already going on but more materials are still needed to complete the construction.

Maalim Omar says that due to limited government’s budget they are only provided with land and the rest is up to them to seek their community’s help in building the facilities.

When completed, the Mosque will cater for prisoners, warders and their children as a place for prayers and learning.

Omar says they will need Qurans, books, prayer mats and any other materials that can be donated to help in the education of facility users.

At the meantime Omar, who is in charge of Muslim prisoners and prison warders’ welfare in the Western province, is appealing to Muslims to help in completion of Kakamega GK prison and over see in its running.

Bondeni change agents fight gender based violence

By Abdul Fatahou Laye

NAKURU: On the surface, many marriages appear to be in a harmonious environment with love, care and affection attached to it, yet when you go deeper things are not what they seem to be.

That is exactly what the change agents from Bondeni have been doing this December. The change makers have been educating those from Bondeni and other places where they are implementing UNDP Amkeni Wakenya’s project on human rights under the bill of rights.

In the Muslim community, women who are not well versed with Islamic and secular teachings are some of the people that are suffering silently and this is because they are protecting their marriages due to the high rate of living that is being witnessed not only here in Kenya but globally.

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012.4 / Advertiser’s Feature

Human rights awareness forums held in Nakuru and Isiolo

This message is sponsored by the Amkeni WaKenya and UNDP in partnership with the Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance.The views expressed herein emerged purely from activities of the project itself and do not in any way represent the

position of the Amkeni WaKenya or UNDP.

Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance, P.O Box 27592-00100, Nairobi-Kenya. Tel:254-(0)20-3861530/1 Email:info@kenyamuslims.org Website:www.kenyamuslims.org

Peace street demonstrations in Isiolo during the International Human Rights Day. A similar one was held in Nakuru.

The International Human Rights day in Nakuru and Isiolo was commemorated with different

activities that brought together youth, a former politician, and officers from Provincial Administration and National Cohesion and Integration Commission.

Provincial Peace Forum Coordinator Peter Waweru flagged off a procession in Nakuru where participants of Human Rights Defenders gathered at Kenya Railway open space and walked to Nakuru Players’ Theatre.

Waweru said that the government did appreciate the meeting held in Nakuru. He asked the youth to avoid that bad culture of violence which marks every general elections year. The internally displaced persons would be settled by government according to their rights as enshrined in the constitution, he said.

Former MP for Subukia Koigi wa

Wamwere told the participants that things were not settled yet even with the passing of the constitution. He cautioned the youth about thinking that all was well and that even though human rights were secured by the constitution, it would need their vigilance to ensure that the implementation process involves them.

Koigi took issue with the small number of youth who attended the meeting but said he was encouraged by the presence of government officials to celebrate the day with the community. Previously, Koigi said, government officials would be sucked for attending such forums.

Reverend Lawrence Bomet from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission said that tribal balancing in government had been taken care of by the law.

The NCIC commissioner said that the

law limited workers of the same tribe to only 33% in each government institution.

Bomet also added the era of police shooting innocent people and getting transferred was long gone.

Youth learning circlesIn Isiolo over forty youth benefited

from training aimed at addressing human rights issues, leadership and governance and constitution implementation to enhance proper participation in the matters of the community.

Those who attended the meeting said that insecurity was a threat to their human rights in the area. They cited banditry and killings as causes of insecurity.

The training which was held at the Rural Agricultural Training Centre ensured that participants were introduced to the concept of learning circles.

They youth were taught how and who to approach in the community and that they have a place in the running of their affairs in the community.

The Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Fadhili Msuri promised a spirit of partnership with the community and encouraged networking among all participants.

Programme Director of KMYA Abdulhamid Sakar said that the programme carried out by UNDP AMKENI WA KENYA aimed at highlighting importance of human rights.

He said that there was need for people to know about their constitution so as not to break the law. The aim of this programme was to provide civic education.

The International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10th.

The New Dawn January 1 - January 15, 2012. FeAtURe / 5

Abdulsatar: A man with a vision for empowerment of Muslims

By Iddi Musyemi

Mr Abdulsatar Kassim.

Abdulsatar is not a stranger to regular listeners and contributors of Nairobi based Muslim radio station 95.1 Iqra fm.

He is the regular caller to the station’s talk shows whose every sentence is constructed with need for Muslim development. His Indian accented Swahili has given him a unique profile. Through his voice he has drawn pictures of development that we all need to work towards if Muslims are to succeed in this life.

Muslims are yet to establish basic Islamic institutions such as universities, hospitals, and schools to cater for the community. This is despite the fact that Muslim entrepreneurs and businessmen hold enormous economic power with interests in petroleum and transport, banking and finance, and real estate industries.

Muslims have preferred personal development at the expense of community, if the facts are to go by. One man has added and sustained his voice to what less influential Muslims have silently been yearning. Where many have shied away from speaking loudly this man has continuously spoken with hope that people will listen and act.

When The New Dawn met the 75 year old Abdulsatar Kassim, his message was the same. He is aware of the vast ground to be covered and the sooner we begin the better.

“Pepo haipatikani bure” says the visionary Abdulsatar. “This is what has kept me going.”

Abdulsatar believes Muslims would develop it they shift expectations to the hereafter and work for paradise than for just profits. According to him, working for the grace of Allah is more profitable and is also sadakatul jaria (reward from God even after an individual’s death).

Abdulsatar has repeatedly called for creative and progressive initiatives by Muslims for the Muslims not only in urban areas but everywhere Muslims live. For the last ten years he has called for establishment of schools and hospitals which are basic institutions that affect greatly Muslim communities everywhere.

“I have been urging Muslims to donate one shilling every Friday towards initiating self-help projects like building mosques, Madrassa schools, and drilling boreholes among the

community.”Abdulsatar believes that the whole

community has to participate in the development of any project aimed at helping them so that they can own and identify with it. Coming together for a noble purpose also nurtures the bond and unites Muslims.

Although his ideas have received lukewarm acceptance he has not given up. He blames the failures of Muslim community on various situations which he believes need to be worked out.

“Muslims are good at talking but poor in translating their ideas into meaningful action.”

What also infuriates Abdulsatar is the enormous amount of money spent every weekend on miraa (khat). The millions of shillings wasted on the illicit stimulant would have been of much use if they were channelled towards Mosques and Madrassa schools.

Corruption has also dealt a serious blow and eaten into the goodwill of Muslims willing to donate their cash but not sure whether the funds will be handled in a transparent manner.

“We need leadership and trustworthy people who can manage such funds,” he says.

To prove that he is not chasing an unachievable dream, Abdulsatar crunches numbers of how Muslims can develop.

“A Mosque with a capacity of 30,000 worshippers can collect Sh300,000 if each Muslim donates as little as Sh10 every Friday,” he says.

If the over 150 Mosques scattered in and around Nairobi were to do the same, Muslims could collect up to thirty million shillings every Friday.

Zakat also creates an avenue for pooling funds together for the betterment of Muslims. The synergies that can be brought forth from Zakat are yet to be fully exploited. Abdulsatar compares this third pillar of Islam with rainfall: If the water is not harnessed in dams, it wastes away on the land.

“This will give rise to Baitul Mal where resources can be brought under one roof, managed and disbursed in an appropriate manner to those who need help without discrimination,” Abdulsatar says.

“Modalities and conditions for disbursement can be established through a revolving fund where recipients can get loans to engage in business and repay to as to assist others.”

Abdulsatar says Umma Foundation under Zul Nimji has been exemplary in steering the community into realization of development which is close to his vision and dream.

“Why wait for Ramadhan to give handouts that do not help the needy will not work in the long

run?“Such an organization can assist in such a

process throughout the year without necessarily waiting for long periods.”

Abdulsatar refers to examples from other Muslim countries where such funds have been used to establish Muslim media like TV and radio stations that can enhance the Muslim agenda.

Even though modest with his achievements, he reveals that a network of family, friends and well-wishers has helped in construction of Kayole’s Matopeni Madina Mosque among other initiatives to up lift the lives of recipient community.

Meanwhile, Abdulsatar does not mince words about begging youth and is furious at them for their love of

handouts. “They should stop the culture of Omba! Omba! They should wake up and engage in income generating activities or businesses no matter how minor they may be,” he says.

“Muslim youth look down upon and shy away from engaging in shoe-shining businesses, selling groceries, maize roasting, and newspaper vending yet such activities can make them earn a living. They instead prefer to stay mitaani

(residential estates) chewing their youthful energies away through miraa,” he

says exasperated.The retired businessman

has four grown-up children and resides in Pangani, Nairobi. In fact, one of his sons is with the

Maahad group. He is also a grandfather to several grandchildren.

Muslims have been endowed by Allah with great wealth in general, he says. But satan does not want to see Muslims

develop from this wealth.“We need to follow the

teaching in Islam and forge unity.”

Muslims are good at talking but poor in translating their

ideas into meaningful action...

The New Dawn is published twice a month.

Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance,Ngong Road, Nairobi.

P.O Box 27592-00100, Nairobi-Kenya. Tel:254-(0)20-3861530/20-3861531/ 0732 550 440

Email: editor@thenewdawn.info Website:www.thenewdawn.info

Safar 7, 1433 A.H

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012.6 / editorial

DISCLAIMER: Views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of The Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance.The Editor welcomes brief letters on topical issues.

Tel:+254-(0)20-386153/1 or 0732 550 440Email: editor@thenewdawn.info

Or SMS: 0710 30 08 48 The Editor reserves the right to edit all letters for length and clarity.

Letters of the week

Commentary

Muslims should change attitude

towards education

Prophets of doom should stop predicting poll chaos

By Mohamed Kahiye

Will strikes become a way of life in 2012?

The 2011 KCPE performance was said to be the best in three years, with more than 5000 candidates scoring above the 400 mark out of the maximum 500. But “best performance” could not be said of Muslims because many candidates from Muslim-dominated regions in Coast Province posted some of the worst results.

A picture of crestfallen hijab-clad candidates of Ganjoni Integrated Mixed Primary School published in the December 31 issue of one of the local dailies told it all—KCPE results of these candidates were withheld by the Kenya National Examinations Council on allegations that there were irregularities during the taking of the exams. Although Coast Provincial Director of Education Tom Majani pledged to set up special committees to probe the cause of poor examination results in the region, there are no prizes for guessing what these committees will establish.

But Prime Minister Raila Odinga was spot-on when he commented on the overall KCPE performance. As much as he congratulated the class of 2011 for a job well-done, he lamented over the poor performance in Coast Province, saying that this dismal performance was a manifestation of the marginalization that coastal people have been subjected to over the years. He, however, expressed optimism that the coming into force of the devolved system of government would assist uplift education standards in such marginalized areas.

He cited poor staffing and inadequate investment in education facilities as some of the factors contributing to poor education standards in marginalized areas, but pointed out that the establishment of the Equalization Fund to uplift marginalized communities would help address inequalities in society.

However, as much as marginalization is to blame for poor examination performance in certain regions of the country, Muslims should also reflect upon themselves and find solutions to the problems that plague their education systems. First and foremost, many Muslims in Kenya have a poor attitude towards the conventional education system.

It is a pity that some extremist ideology that considers conventional education un-Islamic has been allowed to permeate some Muslim communities, especially at the Coast, thus causing Muslim children to shun formal education. Parents who also subscribe to such ideology end up not taking the education of their children seriously.

In this regard, when the probe committees that Mr Majani plans to establish finally embark on their work, Muslims should be prepared to be honest with themselves and address the influence of extremist ideology that discourages children from pursuing formal education. Muslims must not forget that even before the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was commanded to offer prayers or fast, he was commanded to read and seek knowledge. And among his last words before he died, the Holy Prophet told Muslims to seek knowledge everywhere it is found in all corners of the globe—even if it is found in China. He also said that knowledge is the best inheritance that a parent can bequeath his children.

In this regard, there should no excuse whatsoever for Muslims to shun education. Muslim leaders, imams and parents should rethink their attitude towards education and start playing a key role in investing in the education of their children. Islamic institutions and Muslims at large should also start investing seriously in formal education the way they invest in madrassas.

Previous nation wide strikes by teachers and doctors.First, it was the teachers strike then came the doctor’s strike, Postal Corporation workers’ strike and now a matatu and Kenya National Union of Teachers strike is once again looming.

Therefore it is not wrong to say that October, November and December 2011 as the official month of strikes in Kenya.

The recent release of the KCPE results meant many things to many people especially to the residents of north eastern Kenya which performed quite well.

Wajir County which seemed to be favoured by the good performance was rated 13th out 47 counties with Islamic Call Foundation primary school emerging the 9th among the 10th best performed public

schools in the country with a mean score of 370.48.

This is indeed an indication that despite being among the marginalized regions in Kenya, NEP has the potential to be a leader in education development.

Adow Gabow, Wajir.

New Year and new resolutions is the message across the country.

2011 was certainly a year of mixed reactions - bad, good and ugly; but the new constitution should unite and make us forget our old bad memories for the betterment of our country.

As a patriotic citizen who cares about the future of this beautiful and peaceful country there is one thing that has captured my attention that needs expert analysis or careful discussion whatever you may call it.

That is the state in which foreign diplomats in our country continue to preach openly the probability of another post poll chaos in the country without any action on the government side.

Extensive reforms in the Judiciary, devolved county government, reduction of presidential powers, establishment of Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission to look into the historical injustices and the establishment of a credible electoral body the Interim Independent and Boundaries Commission (IIEBC), are the among the efforts of the Coalition Government to wipe out the bad memories of 2007/08 Post Election

Violence. So, reminding Kenyans from time

to time that there will be recurrence of similar painful moments after 2012 elections is not promoting peace but like telling the people to be ready for another period of violence.

As we approach the 2012 electioneering period, all we need as Kenyans is peace and prosperity to prevail in our country. Foreign diplomats and visitors should stop wishing us a bad luck by recalling our weaknesses but instead help us in the way forward.

Let us all hope and work for a happy and prosperous new year 2012.

All have one reason to seek better working conditions and standards but their intention is salary increament. However, one wonders how important is a salary increament than the life of a Kenyan for doctors, education of a Kenyan child and so on?

It is not wrong to seek salary increament

KCPE results prove NEP has the potential to do wonders

Shiekh Mahmoud was a great Imam

but this should be done in an orderly and organised way bearing in mind that we are all Kenyans united by blood and divided by greed. So lets take care for each other because we are in ‘house’ called Kenya and we must live together. Barre Madey, Nairobi.

I congratulate the New Dawn for its special feature on the late SheikhMahmud Suleiman, his life and work.

I was also surprised to learn that many of the prominent Sheikhs and Imams were lucky to be students of the Sheikh Mahmoud. Lets all aspire to be like him.Habiba Musa, Kericho.

treated with dignity and respect.”Although she would rather avoid the

fanfare of winning such a prestigious award, Iqra Radio features reporter says that her recognition is borne out of something she started working on since childhood.

“Ever since I was in school I loved journalism,” Mariam says while exuding the confidence of a battlefield commander. “It’s not something I picked up while in college,” she adds.

MarhabaSunday

January 1 - January 15, 2012. (Safar 7, 1433 A.H)

About Khadijah bint Khuwaylid-the Mother of Believers

Marhaba Women|P9

Kid’s Corner|P10

Mariam Ahmed displays the trophies she won.

By Farida Mwangi

Continued on Pg 8

To comment on this story go to: www.thenewdawn.info

Mariam Ahmed talks about her UNFPA award

Pix: Mohamed Kahiye

Many people will not hesitate to bask in the glory of their achievement when they get recognition from their peers for exceptional

performance in a given field.But Mariam Ahmed falls in the category of

the few who would shy away from or choose to avoid the limelight that comes with being feted for exceptional achievement.

“Whenever possible, I would always avoid the limelight,” Mariam told The New Dawn during an interview for this column.

She has a passion for community development and has used her profession as a journalist to find ways of connecting with women and children in order to articulate issues concerning their education. And for her efforts, she won the 2011 United Nations Population Fund and Kenya Media Network on Population and Development Award.

The UNFPA website states: “The United Nations Population Fund is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012.8 Marhaba|Cover Story

Continued from Pg 7

Radio journalist talks about her UNFPA award

Mariam Ahmed with part of the Iqra FM crew gather to celebrate the award.

WHAT IS THe KenyA MedIA neTWorK on PoPulATIon And develoPMenT (KeMeP) AWArd?

oTHer MuSlIM JournAlISTS WHo HAve Won THe AWArd

Abjata Khalif:Khalif won the award in 2010 and she is the coordinator of the Garissa Content Centre won the best print journalist in the FGM category for the headline story ‘Horrors of the Wedding night’.

The story which was published in the Reject newspaper highlighted the plight of young men in northern Kenya who endure psychological trauma from the effects of FGM on their brides which in turn affects their marriages.

Kenya Media Network on Population and Development

(KEMEP) is a network of professional journalists and media managers whose interest and speciality lies in covering and producing news and features on issues related to population, reproductive health, youth, gender and development.

It aims at strengthening the coverage of issues concerning population and development and to increase access to timely news,

features and research data on aspects of population and development from around the country and the world at large.

The award winners are awarded a state-of-the-art laptop computer, modem, trophy, mobile phone and a certificate.

The 5th KEMEP award 2011 edition ceremony to award the best journalists of the year who had gone ahead to do gender and social stories was co-sponsored by United Nations

Children’s Fund, United Nations Population Fund, the National Coordinating Agency for Population and Development, the Truth Justice and reconciliation Commission and Federation of Women Lawyers.

It is noted that population growth had a direct impact on the nation’s economy, quality of life, education and employment and that population figures meant nothing unless they were properly translated by the media.

Nasra Hussein:Nasra also won the award in 2010 and she is from The Star FM. Nasra won the best radio journalist on FGM.

Hussein and Abjata both come from Northern Kenya and their stories were a clear indication that the

practice is an issue of concern in the area.

Decker Hassan:Decker won the 2011 Best Presenter Award in the Vernacular Category aired over

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Somali Station.

Mariam Ahmed:Mariam Ahmed of Iqra

FM.

Mariam Ahmed.

Pix: Mohamed Kahiye

Mariam believes that gender and population issues are as important to the Muslim community as studying Quran and Islam are. While people have committed their time to studying and understanding Quran, very few have looked at gender issues and growth of population and how it affects the community.

She thinks that a lot of time is spent on either religious discussions or political activities when it comes to mass communication at the expense of what greatly affects women, children and the entire community.

“When you talk about family planning most of the time people confuse you with advocating for abortion,” she says.

That two are not the same and she has set out to work on a way of educating Muslim community on the difference and making them aware that while abortion is strictly limited in Islam, family planning is widely supported.

“Quran has given women at least two years to breast feed their children,” she says. “Getting pregnant in this period affects both the mother and breastfeeding child.”

Family planning also involves reducing child mortality and ensuring that children are brought up in a conducive environment which allows them love of their parents, good nutrition, and stable home.

In her weekly show Mseto aired on Iqra she relates social challenges in light of Islam and sciences in order to educate her audience and avail them with necessary information needed for making certain decisions.

The two feature stories that won her the award touched base in increase in population and factors that lead to child mortality rates and how to overcome them.

95.1 Iqra FM is a community radio established in 2000 to broadcast mainly to the Muslim community. It broadcasts in Swahili, English, Somali and Urdu to cater for the needs of specific audience in educating and informing on Islam. It has also Arabic and Kikuyu programmes which are held weekly.

Mariam has gained influence on her audience and her programme is among the most followed on the radio station.

“I feel good when a follower of my show calls in with a message of thanks that keeps me going’’ she admits.

She holds a diploma in journalism and media studies from Universal College and a Photo journalism certificate from Kenya Polytechnic University Collage in Nairobi.

Her fans should be ready for a more informative and educative programme because she is not about to take a rest.

She is currently researching on her vast field of complicated issues in order to find a simple solution to be communicated to her audience and encourage them to change.

She says that her recognition has boosted her efforts and wouldn’t disappoint her fans.

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012. 9Marhaba|Women

What’s cooking?

By Fauzia Wangare

About Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid or Khadijah al-Kubra (Khadija the Great) was the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). She was the daughter of

Khuwaylid ibn Asad and Fatimah bint Za’idah and belonged to the clan of Banu Hashim. She is important in Islam as Muhammad’s first wife, and one of the “mothers of the believers”.

Khadijah’s father, Khuwaylid ibn Asad, who died around 585 A.D, was a merchant, a successful businessman whose vast wealth and business talents were inherited by Khadijah, who successfully managed her father’s business interests and preserved the family’s fortune.

Khadijah earned three titles: Ameerat-Quraish (Princess of Quraish) and al-Tahira (the Pure One), and Khadija Al-Kubra (Khadija the Great) and was said to have had an impeccable character. She used to feed and clothe the poor, assist her relatives financially, and provide for the marriage of those of her kin who could not otherwise have had the means to marry. Khadijah was said to have neither believed in nor worshipped idols, which was atypical for pre-Islam Arabian culture.

She was known for business dealings that caused many highly respected Arabian men to seek her hand in marriage. However, by 585 A.D, Khadijah still remained unmarried.

Khadijah did not travel with her trade caravans; she relied on others to trade on her behalf, whomshe compensated with commissions. In 595 A.D, Khadijah needed an agent for a transaction in Syria.

Several agents whom she trusted (notably including Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib) and some relatives of hers recommended her distant cousin Muhammad ibn Abdullah, who had earned the honorifics Al-Sadiq (the truthful) and Al-Amin (the trustworthy).

The profit that Muhammad returned to Khadijah was the double of what she had anticipated.

Muhammad fascinated Maysarah more than anything else related to the trip because of many strange events which took place during that journey.

The trip’s measure of success encouraged Khadijah to employ Muhammad again on a winter trip toYemen.

Khadijah’s age has been narrated as anywhere from 25 to 40 years and was deemed to be older than Muhammad.

With the passage of time, her admiration for Muhammad developed into a deeper affection.

Khadijah was by then convinced that she had finally found a man who was worthy of her, so much so that she initiated the marriage proposal herself.

Khadijah sought the advice of a friend named Nufaysa bint Umayyah. The latter offered to approach him on her behalf and, if possible, arrange a marriage between them. Khadijah and Muhammad agreed that he should speak to his uncles and she would speak to her uncle, `Amr

ibn Asad, since her father had died.However, it was Abu Talib, Muhammad’s

uncle, who delivered the marriage sermon saying, “All praise is due to Allah Who has made us the progeny of Ibrahim and Who made us the custodians of His House and the servants of its sacred precincts, making for us a House sought for pilgrimage and a shrine of security, and He also gave us authority over the people. This nephew of mine Muhammad cannot be compared with any other man: if you compare his wealth with that of others, you will not find him a man of wealth, for wealth is a vanishing shadow and a fickle thing. Muhammad is a man whose lineage you all know, and he has sought Khadijah bint Khuwaylid for marriage, offering her such-and-such of the dower of my own wealth.

When her husband (Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)) received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel (Jibral), she was the first person (besides Muhammad) to convert to Islam. According to some sources, it was Khadijah’s parental cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who informed Muhammad of his prophethood soon after his vision of the angel.

Khadijah did not hesitate to embrace Islam at all, trusting to her husband’s teachings.

After the first encounter with Gabriel, Mohammad came trembling and agitated to Khadija. She saw everything with the eye of faith. “Joyful tidings dost thou bring,” exclaimed she, by Him, in Whose hand is the soul of Khadija, I will henceforth regard thee as the Prophet of our nation. Rejoice,” added she, “Allah will not suffer thee to fall to shame. Hast thou not been loving

to thy kinsfolk, kind to thy neighbours, charitable to the poor, hospitable to the stranger, faithful to thy word, and ever a defender of the truth?”

Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) was a constant source of help and comfort to Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the difficulties which he had to face. She bore patiently in the face of persecution to which her revered husband and his small band of believers were exposed at the hands of the polytheists and aristocrats of the Quraish, sacrificing her vast wealth to promote Islam, seeking God’s rewards, helping to free slaves who had embraced Islam, and helping to feed and shelter the community of Muslims that slowly but surely began to grow in numbers and strength.

She remained at his side and supported him throughout his mission to spread Islam.

At the time of her death in 619 or 623 A.D,

Khadijah marriage lasted 25 years together and she had given birth to five of his children. The Prophet (SAW) placed her in the rank of four perfect women, with the sister of Moses, the mother of Jesus, and Fatima.

The year of her death is known as the Year of Sorrow, because of the devastation that it caused him and it was also the same year in which his uncle and guardian Abu Talib died. She was either 64 or 68years old (having been born in 555 A.D).

Khadijah had been the first to publicly accept Muhammad (S.A.W) as the Messenger of Allah, and she had never stopped doing all she could to help him.

Love and mercy had grown between them, increasing in quality and depth as the years passed by, and not even death could take this love away. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) never stopped loving Khadijah, and although he married several more wives in later years and loved them all, it is clear that Khadijah always had a special place in his heart.

Indeed whenever Aisha, his third wife, heard the Prophet speak of Khadijah, or saw him sending food to Khadijah’s old friends and relatives, she could not help feeling jealous of her, because of the love that the Prophet still had for her.

Once Aisha asked him if Khadijah had been the only woman worthy of his love. The Prophet (S.A.W) replied: “She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.”

Khadijah was a constant source of help and comfort

to Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the

difficulties which he had to face. She bore patiently in the face of persecution...

What 20 minutes of Tahajjud can do for

a Muslim

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012.10 Marhaba|Kids Corner

AtteNtIoN CHILdReN: If you wish to appear on this page, send us your digital photo, name, age school/madrassa/hobbies, hadiths, poems among others to: info@thenewdawn.info

Poem

Sohail Mohammed.

Name: Yusuf Ahmed; Age: 15 years; Madrassatul: Al-Huda Islamia, Nairobi; Best Subjects: Tajweed & Tawhid; I want to be a: Businessman.

Name: Ismail Abdullahi; Age: 15 years; Madrassatul: Al-Huda Islamia, Nairobi; Best Subjects: Towhid & Fiqh;I want to be a: Teacher.

Name: Amina Othman; Age: 15 years; Madrassatul: Al-Huda Islamia, Nairobi; Best Subjects: Quran & Seera; I want to be a: Pilot.

Name: Saida Ramadhan; Age: 15 years; Madrassatul: Al-Huda Islamia, Nairobi; Best Subjects: Tajweed & Quran; I want to be a: Journalist.

Madrassatul Al-Huda Islamia, California-Nairobi.

Name: Zeinab Abubakar; Age: 16 years; Madrassatul: Al-Huda Islamia, Nairobi; Best Subjects: Tajweed & Hadith; I want to be an: Accountant.

Name: Nabil Salim; Age: 15 years; Madrassatul: Al-Huda Islamia, Nairobi; Best Subjects: Tajweed & Lugha; I want to be a: Doctor.

Special thanks to Sheikh Mohammad Omar.

Your Hobbies

Name: Mariam Suleyman; Age: 14 years; Madrassatul: Al-Huda Islamia, Nairobi; Best Subjects: Tajweed & Quran; I want to be an: Air-hostess.

Name: Halima Mohammed; Age: 15 years; Madrassatul: Al-Huda Islamia, Nairobi; Best Subjects: Towhid & Hadith; I want to be a: Journalist.

Some people say that a person without a job is busier than a person who is working because a jobless person is always going here and there to look for jobs.

Even if this person gets a job that requires him to stay up all night will do so as he needs to earn money. This is the

nature of human beings. When he knows the value of something, he will try to

attain it even if it be hard for him.Allah has granted us the gift

of Tahajjud Prayer. Through this prayer, we can get many blessings from Allah. Problems such as

sickness, family issues, money, hunger among others can easily

be removed by praying to Allah at

Tahajjud time. However, because we did not recognize

the value of this prayer, it is very difficult for us to spare only 10-20 minutes of our sleep to get up and pray. On the other hand, for some money, we are ready to stay up the whole night.

Performing this special Tahajjud prayer will require you to have a short deep sleep before you even perform it, as the name of the prayer, which means wake up, suggests.

This prayer can be done anytime between Isha’ and Fajr. However, it is best done between midnight to Fajr, preferrably in the last third of the night. Make it part of your daily routine and God willing, He will return you with good fortune and health.

In The Name Of AllahWe seek Allah’s protectionFrom Shaitan’s evil mind;And begin with the name of AllahMost Merciful, Most Kind!

Allah is GreatAllah is Great this I know,For the Qur’an tells me so;All of us to Him belong,We are weak but he is strong.

Allah is OneRelated to noneAllah is One!No father, no motherNo sister, no brotherNo daughter, no sonAllah is One!

We Thank you AllahFor All the thingswe have today;for all our friendswe love so muchfor home, for foodfor work and play,we thank you,Oh Allah.

When I was illOne day when I was feeling illa sparrow flew on to my window sill.He didn’t see me tucked up in bedas he pecked away at a piece of bread.I thought of how he could flywhen I, in bed could only lie.I thought how Allah had made him smalland then of dinosaurs, and giraffes so tall.I thought of many, many thingssome with four legs, others with wings.I thought how wonderful Allah isbecause everything around me is really His.

AllahBefore summer time, the cherry blossom looks like pink icingThe ground beneath shoots up daffodilsTrumpeting their praises to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala)During summer the days are long and hotThe trees are green and shady.Flowers bloom bright and perfumedBees hover and drive for pollen.Before wintertime, Allah paints the leaves red, orange, and gold.They cover the springy moss with a colorfulcarpet.Squirrels scurry, choosing the juiciest nuts tostore for their winter larder.In winter Allah causes the earth to die hard and coldHe permits water to form stalactites and fossilize animal bonesReminding us that He is the One who bringsback to life His creation...

Thank you AllahThank You Allah for all that You giveI know sometimes I’m naughty so please forgive.Please teach me to be good every dayand let my heart be ready and willing to pray.Thank You Allah for Your Prophet whom I love, please raise him in rank in Paradise above.

The New Dawn,January 1 - January 15, 2012. Advertiser’s Feature / 11

Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance, P.O Box 27592-00100, Nairobi-Kenya. Tel:254-(0)20-3861530/1 Email:info@kenyamuslims.org Website:www.kenyamuslims.org

This message is sponsored by the Peace, Security for Development (PSD) programme which is undertaken by the Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance in partnership with the Royal Danish Embassy. The views expressed herein emerged purely from

activities of the PSD programme itself and do not in any way represent the position of the Danish Embassy. Meanwhile, Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance thanks the Royal Danish Embassy for supporting this column over the years.

Peace and Security for development (PSd) Programme

2011 PSD activities in pictures

A Peace & Security Summit held in August, 2011 saw key government representatives that included the Provincial Commissioner-Coast region, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), National

Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Civil Society, the religious leaders, the youth representatives, the media, and conflict management experts present.

The Coast Peace and Security for

Development (PSD) Network brings together five organizations implementing Peace and Security Programmes. These organizations are Kenya Muslims Youth Alliance (KMYA), Coast Interfaith council of Clerics (CICC),

Muslims for human Rights (MUHURI), Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), and Likoni Community Development Programme (LICODEP).

Mombasa Peace and Security summit that brought together key programme partners. 1

2 3 4

Yusuf Kagogo Lukwaro the PSD field officer in Taita Taveta. Yusuf highlighted the human/wildlife conflict in the area that borders six other counties. 62% of Taita Taveta land is under the Tsavo National Park, meaning that over half of the county’s land is protected area.

PSD Change Agents in drive to feed the poor during Ramadhan 2011

KMYA Change agents deliver food-stuff to Kwale Women Prison.

Kilifi DC Mr Katee Mwanzaaddresses an Idd baraza in Kilifi.

First PSD Idd Baraza held in Kilifi County

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012.12 / INteRVIeW

The role of religions in advancing the cause of peace, justice, socio-economic development and governance in society cannot be oversemphasized. In an exclusive interview with the New Dawn’s Mohammed Sekenkei, Interreligious Council of Kenya (IRCK) chairman Al-Haj Adan Wachu sheds light on how Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s) in Kenya have been working

together for the last several decades to address issues of common concern for the benefit of all Kenyans. Excerpts.

Sheikh Al-Hajj Adan Wachu reiterates the need for tolerance and coexistence among religions

New Dawn: Please tell us briefly about Interreligious Council of Kenya (IRCK)?

IRCK is the main coalition of faith communities in Kenya bringing together all the religious coordinating bodies in the country for common action. The council is formed by nine constituent bodies that represent the Christian, Muslim and Hindu communities. IRCK’s work is to foster interfaith dialogue, interreligious harmony and harness the spiritual, moral and social assets of the faith communities to address issues of common concern for the benefit of Kenyans.

New Dawn: IRCK is a coalition of faith communities in Kenya which seeks to utilize collective resources for common action towards shared concerns. Could you share with us briefly about some of these concerns?

The concerns of Kenyans change with time. In 2003, the main concern was the problem of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) spawned by the HIV pandemic and ICRK was engaged to address that issue. Between 2004 and last year, priority was around the constitutional reform. Throughout of course we have had to deal with peace issues but that was brought to the fore in the 2007 Post-Election Violence. As we move forward the issues of economic justice, devolved government and the environment are taking precedence.

New Dawn: Considering that each faith has its own unique structures; how is the working mood between the respective religious coordinating bodies?

IRCK works with the existing structures of each faith community. At the most basic level however, is the congregation which is quite the same in all faiths. At the congregational level one will find a religious leader with a good mixture of congregants organized as into organized groups e.g. a youth group, women fellowship/group etc. The working relations between the religious coordinating bodies is good.

New Dawn: IRCK is engaged in promoting economic justice and good governance in Kenya. Could you enlighten us on your approach to these issues?

These are important issues to Kenyans and religious people. Our approach so far has been to research and document economic justice issues and provide religious leaders with the information that they can use to advocate for better governance and economic justice.

For example, we are aware that the government commits Kenyans to international trade agreements that are not sometimes good for common wananchi and Structural Adjustment Programmes of the 1990’s are an example. In recent times, there has been a push especially from Europe for governments in Africa Kenya included to enter into the so-called Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

We have been interrogating the matter and engaging religious leaders to advocate for the government to delay commitment until all

outstanding issues that are likely to negatively affect our people, especially the small scale farmers and producers, who are likely to be negatively impacted, are addressed.

On governance, we are concerned about inadequate preparations for the devolved system of government and the likelihood of mis-use of resources at the local level given the nascent nature of the governance nature at that level.

We are aware for example that the first five years of the Community Development Fund (CDF) witnessed wanton stealing of those funds as there were inadequate measures to handle those resources. We are afraid we might see a repeat of this and other forms of impunity and corruption being devolved.

We are thus in the process of sensitizing religious leaders and their congregations to be active and engaged so that they can play a pro-active role to forestall the worst excesses that are likely to occur.

We have developed training materials in concert with the Ministry of Planning and Vision 2030 using the Social Budgetary Observatory Framework and Social Intelligence Reporting and have started the process of training religious leaders at the grassroots level. We hope with these tools, religious leaders will help improve governance at the county level.

New Dawn: One major program IRCK is involved in is HIV/AIDS. How do you address the issue particularly to do with HIV/AIDS orphans and the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS victims?

IRCK has been involved in HIV programming since 2003. With orphans and vulnerable children, we have been capacitating families and communities through congregations to take care of the physical, spiritual and educational needs of the OVC. This has been through training and economic empowerment activities. We have also been empowering religious leaders and support groups of people living with HIV to defeat the shame, stigma, denial, discrimination, inaction, and misaction associated with HIV and AIDS.

New Dawn: There was lack of interfaith consensus prior to August 2010 referendum on the new constitution. To what extent has IRCK gone to promote consensus-building on matters of national interest?

IRCK is constantly involved in encouraging dialogue between faith communities at all times on issues of national importance. Although we did

not obtain consensus on the referendum in August 2010, there were intense and fruitful behind the scenes discussions that ensured that disagreements on the draft constitution did not result in any ugly altercations.

New Dawn: Concerns have been voiced many times about government hostility towards Muslims e.g. regarding antiterrorism bill, discrimination in issuance of registration documents and wearing of Hijab in schools etc. What does this say about freedom of worship?

The government policy on most of these matters is positive and progressive and enhances freedom of worship. It is the misguided actions of a few individual governmental employees that portray the government as being anti-Muslim. As a member of SUPKEM I can assure your readers that we are constantly engaging the government on these issues for the welfare of Muslims and Kenyans in general.

New Dawn: The current war on Al-Shabaab has brought blanket negative perception of Muslims. Please comment.

It is my view that most people, Muslim and non-Muslim, Somali and non-Somali have come to recognize the al-Shabaab as a group of misguided individuals who are misusing the Islamic religion for their own purpose.

Islam does not condone wanton killing of people, including women and children, for whatever reason. Islamic scholars in Kenya and elsewhere have dismissed the al-Shabaab call for jihad as un-Islamic. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of Kenyans and non-Kenyans support the government of Kenya’s efforts to secure its territory and protect its people from criminal elements in Kenya and neighbouring Somalia where there has been no central government for over two decades.

We hope that this operation, which is not really a war, but a security and military operation to rid the region of criminal activities, including piracy, abductions, killings and denial of humanitarian assistance to reach starving Somalis succeeds.

New Dawn: Besides being chairman of IRCK, what other public

responsibilities do you hold?I am also the Secretary General of Supreme

Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), member National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee, director National Council for Population and Development, and a member of numerous boards of various institutions in the country.

New Dawn: As we approach 2012 General Elections, do you wish to convey a message to all faith communities in Kenya?

Yes, it is my wish that we continue to co-exist peacefully and that we use our faiths as points of peace and reconciliation in our country. Let us build interfaith relations in our country for the betterment of our people and as a mechanism to create a bulwark against mis-governance and other

ills afflicting our people.

Al-Hajj Adan Wachu.

Islam does not condone wanton killing of people, including women and children, for whatever reason. Islamic scholars in Kenya

and elsewhere have dismissed the al-Shabaab call for jihad as un-Islamic...

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012. / 13

Get school fees Banker's Cheque for ONLY 100/-

at any of our Branches

FREE Banker's Cheque for holders of Hasanat & Istithmar Account

Terms and conditions apply

Also available for both account and non-account holders

Nairobi Head Office Tel: 311114/09/23/24/32 Fax: 2245242 Eastleigh Branch Tel: 6760757/6761587Mombasa Branch Tel: 041-2311611/5 Fax: 041-2226223 Nakuru Branch Tel: 051-2214026/42/2214042 Fax: 051-2214018

DUBAI BANK“Quality Banking with a Personal Touch”

KENYA LIMITED

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012.14 / Muslim World Round-Up

By Agencies

By Agencies

By Agencies

By Agencies

By Agencies

Book on Prophet hopeful of

breaking records

The biggest book in the world on the biography of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) hopes to make its entry into the Guinness World Records has been unveiled in Dubai.

The book said to weigh more than 1,500kg, has 420 pages and is written by Dr Abdullah Abdulaziz Al Muslih, renowned Saudi author and Secretary-General of the Complex for Islamic Fiqh (Jurisprudence) Research in Riyadh.

Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Awlaki, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mshahed, is the man behind this mind boggling record-breaking attempt aiming to spread awareness about the Prophet (PBUH) worldwide.

Mshahed Investment Group, in cooperation with Awassem International and The World Body of the Definition of the Holy Prophet worked on the contents of the 1.5 tonne book named ‘This is Mohammed’ (PBUH), which took three years to pen.

“The around four to five metres long book will help those who don’t know much about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” he said.

According to Dr Al Awlaki, the exact dimensions of the book will remain unknown until the day of the event next month to add some mystery to the remarkable project.

Mshahed Group announced that the unveiling of the book would take place during a special gala event on January 11 during the Dubai Shopping Festival. “The book spotlights some shiny examples of the Prophet’s faith, kindness, tolerance, patience, generosity, and courage.”

The guest list will include members from the Royal families of the seven Emirates, ambassadors and ministers from different departments of the UAE government, as well as diplomats and representatives of various National and International companies.

Later, guests will get the opportunity to participate in the ‘One Million Signatures Campaign’. Spectators will also get the opportunity to take pictures, sign on it and purchase a mini version of the book.

The book will then travel around the world to collect signatures from across all nations.

Canada bans burqa at citizenship swearing-in

New Canadian citizens must remove any face coverings, such as the Islamic niqab or burqa, while they take the oath of citizenship, the country’s immigration minister has said.

Jason Kenney said most Canadians find the practice of reciting the oath behind a veil disturbing and said new Canadians should take it in view of their fellow citizens.

He said he has received complaints from lawmakers and citizenship judges who say it’s difficult to ensure that individuals whose faces are covered are actually reciting the oath.

The Conservative minister called the issue a matter of deep principle that goes to the heart of Canada’s identity and the country’s values of openness and equality.

He said women who feel obliged to have their faces covered in public often come from a cultural milieu that treats women as property rather than equal human beings.

Syrian opposition unite as Arab mission warns Assad

Amid the Syrian violence, two leading Syrian opposition parties signed a draft agreement to unite against Assad, and set up a “parliamentary system for a democratic, pluralistic civil state and guarantees the exchange of power through elections”.

The leading opposition group in exile, the Syrian National Council (SNC), signed the deal on Saturday with the National Co-ordination Committee (NCC), a group whose majority is inside Syria and which had disagreed with the SNC’s earlier calls for foreign intervention.

Under their new pact, the two sides “reject any military intervention that harms the sovereignty or stability of the country, without considering Arab intervention to be foreign”.

But Ashraf al-Moqdad, an activist with another Syrian opposition group, the Damascus Declaration, told Agencies that the

deal will be ineffective.The deal also outlines a one-year

transitional period, which could be renewed once if necessary. The agreement is to be presented to other opposition groups at a conference next month.

Without international intervention beyond the Arab League, Moqdad said that the deal will be unproductive.

“The Arab League is impotent, it has no teeth, it can’t force nothing,” he told Agencies.

Elsewhere, Arab League monitors in Syria have expressed concern about the worsening security situation in the country, as one observer reported seeing snipers in the city of Deraa.

The observer, in Syria as part of an Arab League mission to oversee the end of a bloody crackdown on protests, warned the government of President Bashar al-Assad of consequences if the snipers were not removed immediately.

“We saw snipers in the town, we saw them with our own eyes,” the observer told residents in a conversation filmed and posted online.

Burhan Ghaliun, President of the Syrian National Council opposition group.

Hamas say they plan to join PLO

Rival Palestinian factions took a significant step towards reconciliation as the Islamist group Hamas said it planned to join Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Abbas held a meeting in Cairo with leaders from the factions, including Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal, where a committee was formed to prepare for the inclusion of Hamas, as well as the smaller militant group Islamic Jihad, in the PLO.

There are still some serious obstacles that could prevent a final unity deal and attempts to reconcile in the past have failed.

Hamas and Abbas’s Fatah faction have been rivals for years. In 2006, Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in a brief civil war, leaving Fatah dominant in the West Bank.

Hamas has refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist or renounce violence, while the PLO has signed interim peace accords with the Jewish state. It was unclear how Hamas would be included in the PLO, given the discrepancy.

The committee will now prepare for an internal election of the PLO parliament in order to facilitate Hamas and the Islamic Jihad membership.

President Mahmoud Abbas (above) and Hamas chief, Khaled Meshaal.

ethiopian forces ‘drive out’ Al-Shabaab fighters from

Somali town

Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces have taken control of a key Somali city after battling al-Shabaab rebels on the outskirts, leaving at least 18 dead, sources have said.

“The fighting started this morning after our forces supported by the Ethiopian military attacked the enemy’s positions on the outskirts of Beledweyne,” Bare Abdulahi, a Somali government security official, said from the scene on Saturday.

The city, Beledweyne, lies some 30 kilometres from the Ethiopian border.

“We have counted around 18 dead bodies, most of them the combatants, some of them have died outside the city and others are lying in the streets of Beledweyne,” Mohamed Moalim

Osmail, an elder in the city, confirmed to news agencies.

While conceding that al-Shabaab withdrew from the city, the group’s press office quoted their military spokesman Abu Musab as suggesting that the armed group planned a withdrawal “owing to indiscriminate shelling of [the] heavily populated city and mounting civilian-combatant ratio”.

The al-Shabaab rebel movement denied having been defeated in the city, suggesting they had retreated to reorganise.

“The enemy tried to destroy the frontline barracks of the mujahideen fighters but they lost in the battle. We killed many of them and the mujahideen fighters have retreated back from some positions in order to reorganise their strategy,” Abu Musab told reporters in the capital, Mogadishu.

Al Shabaab fighters: Reports indicate that Ethiopian soldiers have driven the militia group out of a Somali border town.

The New DawnJanuary 1 - January 15, 2012. 15

SportATHLETICS

Yaya Toure named African player of the year 2011

SPORT EXTRA

ATHLETICS

Yaya Toure.

Kenyan-Qatari strikes gold at Arab Games

Kapsabet-born Bahraini star Ali Hasan Mahboob alias Silas Kirui struck gold in the 10,000 metres race at the just concluded Arab Games in Qatar.

Born Silas Kirui and naturalised as a Bahraini in 2005, the 30-year-old Mahboob clocked 28 minutes, 39.88 seconds to win the gold medal with Djibouti’s Mumin Gala (28:43.32) second and another Bahraini, Ethiopia-born Bilisuma Shugi Gelasa, taking bronze in 28:44.10.

Hosts Qatar were second best overall with six gold, three silver and four bronze, with Saudi Arabia (6-0-1) and Egypt (5-12-5).

Meanwhile, another former Kenyan Kamal Abubaker Ali went to clinch gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase virtually unchallenged clocking 8:36.82. The win was all the more pleasing for the Qatari as he was out of action for most part of last season due to injury and this season too was a forgettable one.

“That win was like a consolation for me, after two seasons of frustration. Last year I was injured and this season I couldn’t register a good time.

“I really wanted to win this race that’s why I went to Kenya and trained hard there for 43 days,” said an overjoyed Abubaker. Ali Hasan Mahboob alias Silas Kirui.

Femi Seun Ogunode became the fastest man at the Arab Games when he clocked 10.37 seconds to win the 100m final in the just conlcuded Asian Games.

Ogunode prevailed in a photo finish with Oman’s Barakat al-Harthi (10.37sec), while Morocco’s Aziz Ouhadi claimed bronze in a time of 10.38seconds.

“I’m extremely pleased with the result. I didn’t expect the contest to be so close though,” said an elated Ogunode after the race.

Despite missing out on the title by a whisker, al-Harthi was pleased with his showing.

“I am very happy. I thank God for this result. I am so proud because this is the first medal in athletics for Oman. The distance between us was a hair’s width,” added al-Harthi.

Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has been named African Player of the Year at an awards ceremony in the Ghanaian capital Accra.

The Manchester City player won ahead of Mali and Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita, with Ghana forward Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew - who plays for French club Marseille - third in polling by national coaches of the 53-member associations of the Confederation of African Football. The full tally of votes was not immediately released by CAF, African soccer’s governing body.

The 28-year-old Toure thanked his family, including brother and City teammate Kolo, in a brief acceptance speech at the CAF awards in Ghana. “This award is not important for me alone. It’s for my country and for my club,” he said. “This is a big step in my career, I’m very thrilled. To be the winner is fantastic.”

Toure, the second Ivorian to land the award after twice-winner Didier Drogba of Chelsea, enjoyed a fine year for club and country. He scored the winning goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Stoke City in the FA Cup final and this season has impressed in his club’s rise to the top of the Premier League.

Toure also helped Ivory Coast finish their African Nations Cup qualifying campaign with a 100 percent record.

The midfielder joined City from Barcelona for a fee of around 24 million Pounds after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Toure, who had a nomadic early career in Europe, was ever present for his country in 2011. The Ivorians were the only side to win every game in the preliminaries for the 2012 finals and are among the favourites for next month’s competition in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Qatar’s Ogunode is fastest man in Arabia

Femi Seun Ogunode

First celebration of Muslim women’s sport to be held at

home of FootballThe Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation (MWSF) will be holding the inaugural Awards in April 2012, which will highlight the contributions of individuals and organisations to the unique area of minority ethnic sports, at the prestigious home of football, Wembley Stadium.

A registered charity established since 2001, the MWSF has been leading the way in encouraging, supporting and developing the involvement in physical activity of women from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, particularly focusing on the cultural and religious sensitivities of Muslim women.

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Rimla Akhtar, said: “For over ten years the MWSF has grown into a body representing the sporting needs and requirements of Muslims in the UK. The MWSF has developed a reputation nationally and internationally for its extensive work in the field of women’s sport and we are proud to be pioneering the establishment of ambassadors from within this unique community.”

FA Equality Manager, Funke Awoderu said: “The FA is delighted to host the MWSF Ambassador Awards at Wembley Stadium

next April. Initiatives such as these Awards will encourage a greater involvement in sport of groups and individuals that are often disadvantaged and isolated. We are committed to football and sport for all and look forward to welcoming the BME and Muslim community for an evening of celebration and inspiration that will highlight success and high achievement across all areas of the sporting world.”

Ayesha Abdeen, Chief Executive of the MWSF said, “What an exciting project, I’m so proud of everyone involved who will be providing much needed inspiration to younger generations. We are very honoured to be hosting this event and are sure that Muslim women’s participation in sport will benefit a great deal. Nominees can be involved in any type of physical activity and be of any level”

The Ambassador Awards will recognise and honour outstanding achievements across 7 categories: UK Sportswoman of the Year, International Sportswoman of the Year, UK Coach of the Year, Community Award, Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Contribution and Lifetime Achievement Award.

January 1 - January 15, 2012.

Sport | P15

The New Dawn is published by Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance, P.O Box 27592-00100, Nairobi-Kenya. Tel:254-(0)20-3861530/1 or 0732 550 440Email:info@thenewdawn.info Website: www.thenewdawn.info

Kenyan-Qatari strikes gold at Arab

Games

Prof Hassan Nandwa.

By Saumu Mwinyi

VACANCY

International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kenya serves vulnerable populations in the Turkana and Garissa regions as well as in Eastleigh, Nairobi. The IRC implements programs in the areas of comprehensive primary health care, nutrition, protection, peace building, water and sanitation and hygiene (WASH), HIV/AIDS prevention, response to gender based violence, disaster risk reduction (DRR), livelihoods and governance. Applications are invited for the position of:

Partnership Officer-Hagadera

Job Summary: The IRC GBV program implements a holistic set of services to respond to the needs of women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence and works with all actors to minimize their vulnerability to ongoing violence. To meet the needs of the incoming refugee population, the IRC GBV program is implementing an emergency GBV response program in Kambioos Camp. The emergency program will reflect the overall program strategy of the IRC’s GBV emergency program model, the two key elements of which are advocacy and provision of, and access to, comprehensive GBV response services. In the longer term, GBV programming will be devolved to a local partner. Initial support will be provided by a Partnership Officer to strengthen their organizational and programmatic capacity on GBV to support the transition of GBV programming in Kambioos over 18-24 month period.

The Partnership Officer will be 100% dedicated to the GBV programme to initiate and oversee all interactions and support to the local partner identified to work with in Kambioos. She/he will be responsible for the documentation and monitoring all aspects of the partnership as IRC transition services under the GBV programme to the local partner.

Requirements • BA/BSc in Social Work, Psychology, Development, or a related field preferred. • At least 3 years experience in direct service provision for survivors of gender-based violence. • Previous experience in project management in emergency setting. • Thorough understanding of gender-based violence response protocols and service provision. • Proven experience supervising GBV social work/case management and outreach staff. • Experience in training, participatory techniques and community mobilization • Strong knowledge of computer applications, including MS Word and Excel, GBV IMS Good coordination and networking skills. • Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills and flexibility • Ability to live in a high security environment • Fluency in English, including writing clear and concise reports. • Knowledge of and fluency in Somali. • Experience working in a refugee setting.

To apply please go to http://www.rescue.org/careers and search for NAME OF THE POSITION. Please apply on or before 6th January, 2012.

IRC is an equal opportunity employer

Coast International University launched

Islamic law scholar gets full professorship

MALINDI: Coast province scholars have challenged parents and students to invest in education.

Speaking in Malindi during the official launch of the Coast International University, Professor Mohamed Hyder said the region has the potential to produce more scholars through good foundation at primary and secondary level. “Marginalization has taken root in the region because of poor education standards,” Professor Hyder noted.

Area MP Gideon Mung’aro promised to continue investing in the university through the CDF funds. Also speaking during the launch Dr. Hassan Mwakimako of Pwani University advised parents and students to take higher learning seriously.

Other scholars present included Professor Najia Muhamad, Professor Burja Abdalla and Professor Muhamad Badamana.

Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance (KMYA) board chairman Hassan Nandwa is now a full professor, the highest academic qualification one can attain.

Prof Nandwa was recommended for promotion by Mary Knoll Institute of African Studies, Nairobi which is academically affiliated with St Mary’s University of Minnesota, USA. Prof Nandwa is a lecturer in Islamic Law, teaching in several universities including Thika College of Islamic Law, Zanzibar Islamic University, Morogoro Muslim University, Kampala International University and Mbale Islamic University.

Prof Nandwa’s journey to full professorship has come through many years of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level where he has supervised over 15 master degree students and one doctoral student. He has also undertaken extensive research in his area of specialization with several published and unpublished works to his name. In addition to participating in various local and international seminars, Prof Nandwa is also an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.