Stop profiling and wholesale victimisation of Muslims

We have heard it time and again and going by the recent accounts, we are not about to bid it away- the constant government denials on mistreatment of Muslims.

Since independence, Muslims have raised their grievances regarding the systematic and deliberate acts of discrimination, marginalization, oppression and harassment towards them. In many instances, evidence has been produced to back these claims. Instead of addressing these misdeeds, senior government officials have come out to deny the claims. We are always being told that Muslims are not being targeted or discriminated against and a host of blunt lies which flies in the face of reality.

What we saw last week as a response to on the part of the government in the aftermath of the January 15 demonstration was a clear case of the continued policy of discrimination and collective punishment of a community.

In the name of smoking out illegal aliens, there was wholesale victimization of a community whose dignity was trampled on and their constitutional rights violated. Adding salt to injury, those in charge of these operations came forward to defend the operations repeating the same song-It was not targeted at a particular community but illegal aliens.

While we were ostensibly told that the targets were foreigners, many of those who were arrested were Kenyans and the production of identity papers and other credible identification documents did not help matters either as without any scrutiny they were deemed to be forged documents.

Homes, business outlets were all raided as the police turned Easteligh and other areas into war like areas. No search warrants or permission were sought as they virtually took over the areas disrupting normality. The police cells could not accommodate the high number of those detained and the victims were herded to the CID training school in South C which served as the detention centre.

It was a clear case of discrimination as those who did not have Somali features or did not appear to be Muslims were left scot-free as attention shifted to those who did not look like Kenyans. It is true that some illegal immigrants from neighbouring states were also rounded up but this was only used as a smokescreen to cover the bigger picture.

This country has in the past hosted thousands of Sudanese and Ugandan refugees and at one time they were even more than refugees from Somalia. But at no time was a systematic crackdown of this community ever recorded in the annals of Kenyan history as it is happening to the Somali community.
We are yet to hear such raids in Malindi where the Italians have virtually taken over the Muslim town and some are known to involve in illegal activities. Even one of their own managed to secure Kenyan citizenship and ran for a parliamentary seat and no qualms were raised. Why the double standards. No questions are being asked about this community simply because they are not Muslims.

Somalis and by extention Muslims are being used as scapegoats for whatever is happening in security related matters. From money laundering, terrorism to the infamous declaration to audit properties, the target appears to be Muslims and this is done without any tangible evidence being brought forward.
On this issue, we wish to point out that the media was also culpable in fanning anti- Muslim emotions. It was no accident that gangs appeared from nowhere to attack Muslims and there properties.

The public had been accustomed to sensational stories in the daily papers and prime time news where the issues terrorism and piracy in Somali waters featured prominently. In all these issues, the subconscious mind was being told that Muslims were the culprits. Members of the Somali community have been squarely blamed for the rise in property development where the source of funds has been attributed to piracy activities. In all these sensational stories, not even a kiosk was pointed out as a proof that the funds originated from piracy or other illegal activities.

Strangely, many of the media outlets never came out to criticize the conduct of these gangs and looters who brought carnage on the streets of Nairobi.

The government handling of the whole issue was also bungled and pointed to a dangerous trend. For the police to allow gangs to work in cahoots was a pointer that the security officials have not yet learnt the bitter lessons of the post election violence. It is still fresh in our minds about the role played by the police during this painful period and with all the efforts to bring about national cohesion, it was regrettable that the police allowed history to repeat itself on the black day of January 15th 2010.

Kenyans should be aware that if they allow such a scenario to continue, then they should never expect protection from those who are supposed to maintain law and order as it will no longer be Utumushi Kwa Wote but where their loyalty will lie at that time.

Time and again, Muslim leaders have made calls for a sober approach on the part of the government on its dealing with the Muslim community but it appears that the State does not have this on its agenda. The myriads of the grievances of Muslims were even acknowledged by the Head of State but there is no indication on the ground that the State is ready to open a new and cordial chapter with the community.
Going by the comments of the Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and the Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang to proceed further with their anti-Muslim programme, it appears that it is not yet uhuru for Muslims in this country. Incidentally, the departments headed by these two people received the most blame for perpetrating a culture of impunity against members of the Muslim community.

While progressive governments around the world are working on integrating the different communities, our government is doing the opposite by alienating its own community.

We will not tire in reminding the government of its obligation to treat all the people in this county on an equal footing. What the government is doing is planting seeds of resentment among a section of its people with grave repercussion for the country.

The State has a responsibility to work towards promoting a culture of tolerance where by Muslims will be treated with dignity and respect feeling that they are part and parcel of the Kenyan community.

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