Supkem signs MoU with Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da’awa and Guidance

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims(SUPKEM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Alsheikh represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He welcomed the Kenyan delegation that was led by the council national chairman, Al-Hajj Hassan Ole Naado, who was accompanied by the Deputy National Chairman Shariff Muhdhar Khitamy, the Secretary-General Al-Hajj Abdullahi Salat, the Organizing Secretary Sheikh Juma Musa and Sheikh Dr. Adan Yunis.

He was grateful to God that the partnership was finally becoming a reality as a culmination of a long-drawn consultation process that explored diverse areas of mutual interest between the two sides.

The MOU was signed following the approval of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that sat mid-last year and mandated the Minister responsible for pursuing the partnership with SUPKEM in the republic of Kenya.   

Undoubtedly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the visionary leadership of His Royal Highness King Salman bin AbdulAziz al Saud and the Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bin Salman, continues to yield much influence in the Muslim World while SUPKEM, on the other hand, remains the prime organization that represents the interests and welfare of Muslims in Kenya and abroad.

Since its establishment slightly less than a century ago, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has played a key role in promoting a common and unifying school of thought of Islam.

This effort has been achieved through offering seminary education to various students from across the world.

Hundreds of Kenyan students have, over the years, benefited from this seminary education and training in Saudi Arabia on the authentic doctrines of Sunni Islam.

On the other hand, SUPKEM has, since its establishment 50 years ago, pursued and promoted the unity of Muslims in Kenya and the signing of this MoU will greatly boost these efforts, as it will form the basis of the revival and propagation of the true doctrines of Islam.

This was recognised by the Minister who acknowledged the positive work that the Council is doing for Muslims in Kenya and emphasized that Islam of the 21st century should, at all times, promote peaceful coexistence, service to humanity and be knowledge driven.

This is increasingly becoming important with the growth of the Muslim population in the East and Horn of Africa.

 This growth has been accompanied by varied interpretations of classical, cultural and religious traditions thus precipitating the need to rejuvenate authentic Islam in line with the Qur’an and Hadith in this region.

Dr Alsheikh reminded the Council’s leadership that the mission of the holy Prophet Mohammed was solely to preach peace and posterity based on the true teachings of Islam.

 =He further challenged Supkem to enhance the training of Imams and teachers of Islam to be able to respond to modern-day challenges.

On his part, Al-Hajj Ole Naado paid tribute to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the leader of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia His Highness Mohamed bin Salman for keeping alive the true spirit of Islam and maintaining stability in the region.

He stressed the importance of peace in prosperity and human development.