Sheikh Mohammed Idris, an anti-radical Muslim cleric and the chairman of Imams and Preachers of Kenya was shot dead on Tuesday morning as he made his way home from a mosque, reports have said.
Nelson Marwa Mombasa County Commissioner commented on the incident saying:
“Idris was going to morning prayers just a few meters from his house. Unknown people in a motorbike shot him in the abdomen and he was pronounced dead on arrival at Pandya Private Hospital,”
It is thought that the cleric, who was openly against Islamic radicalism is thought to have been murdered by the radical Muslim youths who took over Sakina Mosque in Mombasa where he served for 35 years. Sources say that Idris was in fear for his life and had been threatened by radicalists on several occasions, many of whom regarded him as a traitor.
Idris spoke openly against Jihadist teachings, stating that ‘they were being misinterpreted by the youth’.
Investigations into the murder are still ongoing.
Idris, who was 65 at the time of his killing, leaves behind 4 wives and 24 children.
His brother in law Ali Idris stated: “We are calling for calm and patience as we wait for the government to carry out investigations. We cannot carry out any revenge. God will pay the killers,”
Idris is the fourth Muslim cleric to be killed in Mombasa in the last few years as the fight against radicalism continues in Kenya’s second largest city.
