Community leaders have decried relegation of religious leaders to spectators on key issues affecting the society by politicians.
They say political leaders are now calling the shots on issues that were in the past handled by the clerics.
Led by Nabil Khamis, they say the country is currently facing woes because religious leaders took a back seat.
This has also seen the upbringing of a generation with no morals, Khamis said.
He said many political leaders have no time for religious issues at the grassroots.
“That is why our children are going astray. We must arrest this situation and make religion a priority once again,” Khamis said.
He spoke in Guraya, Mvita constituency during the graduation ceremony of Hudaa Muslim School children.
The children had completed their madrassa.
“Religion is the most important thing in this world. But today, most parents lean more on the secular than religious world,” Khamis said.
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, the chief guest at the ceremony, said politicians do not like being invited to religious events because most of them are liars.
“When we get to such places, we fear speaking because of the many lies we tell,” he said.
Ali said politicians are supposed to be at the forefront in giving children strong religious foundations.
He said religion is continuously dwindling at the Coast because earthly pleasures are taking over.
“And our children, because of the poor religious foundation, immerse themselves in worldly pleasures. That is why it is difficult to get back to where we were in the past,” Ali said.
During the heydays of the Islamic Party of Kenya, ulamaa had a significant influence.
“When they said it is right, we followed them. But today things have changed. Sheikhs do not have any say. Only the politicians have a say and they are not taking the community in the right direction," he said
Madrassa teachers at Hudaa madrassa decried lack of fees.
Ali said it is unfortunate that politicians are ready to give bursaries to other learners and not madrassa children.
“I had restricted myself to Nyali but now, I am traversing Mombasa county. I have been to Jomvu, Mwakirunge, Likoni and I must say madrassas are in a sorry state. Muslims pray on soils in mosques that are dilapidated,” he said.
Ali said many schools at the Coast do not teach Islamic Religious Education because of lack of teachers.
In upcountry schools, parents have held demonstrations, demanding posting of IRE teachers, Ali said.
The MP paid fees for the 150 madrassa children. He also gave Sh200,000 for teachers' salaries.
"If we do not hold the hands of these children, when we get old, there will be no town anymore. It will all be hell. Parents have to be accountable too. It is not logical that fathers have money to buy miraa but do not have Sh500 per month for madrassa,” he said.
Professor Hassan Mwakimako said madrassa teachers are working hard to instill religion in children at an early age, but they are not getting the requisite support from political leaders.
The Pwani University lecturer said religious leaders, especially Muslim clerics, no longer have influence.
He said parents must also play a leading role and bring up children with good morals.
Islamic institutions such as Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya and Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims today, no longer have influence like in the past.
Mwakimako said they fear raising their voices on national matters lest they are branded extremists.
This, he said, is unlike the Christian religious leaders, still have relative influence on national matters.
“Most of the Muslim religious leaders retreated to their comfort zones after the advent of violent extremism. They now fear speaking out lest they be branded extremists or terrorist sympathisers,” Mwakimako said.
He said Muslim clerics fear their statements may be misinterpreted and be branded Shabaab sympathisers.