ODM leader Raila Odinga charmed the Muslim faithful during an Iftar gathering Wednesday night in Nairobi.
Addressing the attendees, Raila said he understands all Islamic teachings since he has read the entire Quran.
"Mimi nimesoma Quran kabisa kutoka Alif Lam Meem hadi Al-Baqarah, naelewa kabisa. Wale kafiri wengine hawaelewi," he stated amid cheers from the audience.
Alif Lam Meem is the first verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, which is the second chapter of the Quran.
It also appears at the beginning of Surah Al-Imran (chapter 3), Surah Al-Ankabut (chapter 29), Surah Ar-Rum (chapter 30), Surah Luqman (chapter 31), and Surah As-Sajda (chapter 32).
Al-Baqarah, on the other hand, is the second and longest chapter of the Quran consisting of 286 verses.
Raila also took the opportunity to educate non-Muslims present at the event about Islam, highlighting its five pillars.
"For those of us here who are not Muslims, the Islamic religion has five pillars. One of them is this of fasting (Sawm) but the first one is a declaration of faith that Allah (Shahada),” he said while sharing the other foundations of the faith.
These are Salah which is the five daily prayers that Muslims perform facing the Kaaba in Mecca, Zakat, the alms tax given to the poor and needy and Hajj-the pilgrimage to Mecca, which is mandatory for Muslims who can.
The event was attended by various religious and political leaders including Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
Raila has made it a tradition to host Iftar every year, acknowledging its significance during the holy month of Ramadan.
"Iftar ni siku muhimu sana, maana tuko kwa mwezi mtukufu wa Ramadan," Raila said.
Iftar is the name of the evening meal eaten by Muslims after sunset to mark the end of the daily fast during the month of Ramadan.
