Inter-faith prayers for Westgate terror victims

Kenyan religious leaders have led the nation in national prayers for strength and hope days after Islamist terrorists killed 61 and injured more than 200 at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, writes Fredrick Nzwili.

The Christian, Muslim and Hindu leaders condemned the attack saying it had no religious basis. Kenyans have made various donations to help the victims. The Catholic Church gave food and medical equipment.

“We must fear God, because he is the one who has the power to punish,” said Bishop David Kamau, Nairobi Archdiocese’s auxiliary, at the prayers attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mr Kenyatta praised the faiths’ unity saying the attackers wanted to divide the people on religious lines, but had failed. “We are healing a wound inflicted by fiery intolerance and hatred. The agents perpetrated terrorism in the name of religion … But we fought back as one people,” said Mr Kenyatta. “We will heal each others’ wounds, and defend our nation together.”

“Islam is not terrorism and terrorism is not Islam,” said Sheikh Adan Wachu, the Muslim Supreme Council of Kenya general secretary. “These are sadists who are killing for no purpose. They have another God and religion,” he said.