Source: Jakarta Globe.
Nairobi. Ali Hassan Gitonga, 33, a recent convert to Islam from the Meru community in Kenya’s Eastern Province, is said to have travelled to Somalia for training with Al Shabab in 2011. He is under arrest for alleged involvement in the Sep. 21 Westgate Mall terror attack in Nairobi.
That year, 4,000 soldiers from the Kenya Defence Force (KDF), under an offensive dubbed Operation Linda Nchi (Operation Protect the Nation), moved into Somalia to drive the Al Shabab terror group out of Southern Somalia.
Since the operation, Al Shabab has waged a series of revenge attacks in various parts of Kenya that have injured, maimed and killed innocent civilians.
But from the Ministry of Internal Security it is emerging that Gitonga is just one of the growing number of young people between the ages of 15 and 34 in Sub-Saharan African countries who are increasingly leaning towards Islamic radicalism. Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea and Tanzania are some of the countries facing the greatest risk from this homegrown threat.
Abdi Muhamud, an advocate and human rights expert in Kenya’s Coast Province, says “Many young people from poor families have travelled to Somalia for training with Al Shabab. They are promised lucrative jobs outside the country and economic support for their families.”
Categories: Africa
“Radicalism is not an Islamic reaction,” he says. “Such extremism is common in countries where there is hostility between Muslims and Christians. Muslims in this country enjoy all the rights and freedoms that people of other religions enjoy. The security forces must investigate the cause of terror attacks and come up with a solution that addresses the realities on the ground.”
Recently it has been analysed that such statement “terrorism is not Islamic reaction” is incorrect. Most of terrorist activities are being conducted by Muslims.Any act by followers of Islam aught be termed as Islamic act as they do it on the name of Islam. However one can only argue that Islam does not teach such acts. If Muslims are involved in such acts are due to incorrect interpretation and wrong understanding of religion Islam. Further presence of hostility also not a must ingredient for such acts. Couple of days back very peaceful Christian Community suffered a devastating set back by Muslim terrorists in the city of Peshawar while performing mass in church. TTP has built in belief to kill all those who do not follow the belief the TTP advocates and they also call it Islamic belief. All such acts emphasise the need of true and real interpretation of teaching of Islam which is love for all and hatred for none. But who can do it. Currently except for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community no other Muslim group has advocated this slogan. Not only advocated it but from last 125 years also practicing this motto.