CIPK Organizing Secretary Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa at a past media briefing. [Photo/ kbctv.co.ke]
The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) has warned politicians in Mombasa against using the Holy month of Ramadan to campaign in a bid to gain political mileage.
This comes barely a day after Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar launched a Ramadan food caravan to help needy families in the county.CIPK Organizing Secretary Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa said it was wrong for politicians to pretend they care about the needy yet in real sense they are only wooing voters.“We Muslims do not show off while helping the needy, in fact no one should know or see how you are helping the needy but Allah,” said Khalifa.Addressing journalists at CIPK Mombasa offices on Tuesday, Khalifa scoffed at politicians who fail to implement sustainable projects that can uplift the living standards of residents and instead wait for campaign period to issue out handouts.“They should not take advantage of our poor society for their selfish interest, this is not good at all,” he said.During the launch of the Ramadan Caravan on Monday, Omar and his running mate Linda Shuma said they were giving out the food in good will and urged other well-wishers to join their cause.“This is the right time to join our Muslim brothers and sisters so that they also get some food to break theirs fast,” said Omar.Sheikh Khalifa, however, said the move was against the teachings of Quran, and asked politicians to serve the community at all times instead of just waiting for Ramadan.The Muslim community all over the world is marking the Holy month of Ramadan where they observe fasting for 30 days.