Mombasa’s Masjid Swafaa Mosque taken over by radical Muslim youth

A group of radical youths in Mombasa county has taken over Masjid Swafaa Mosque. They have also chased the resident Imam, Sheikh Hassan Juma Rashid.

Security agencies in Mombasa are yet to make any arrest while county police boss Robert Kitur said that police are still investigating the take over with an aim of identifying the people behind it.

On Friday, a police lorry and three land cruiser vehicles packed with armed police officers from the Crack General Service Unit could be seen patrolling the area around the Masjid Swafaa Mosque in Kisauni.

Mr Khelef Khalifa, the Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) chairperson claimed the radical youths had taken over the running of Masjid Swafaa after the Muslim leadership failed to address their grievances, over perceived discrimination and other problems afflicting Muslims.

However, the ejected Imam Sheikh Hassan Juma said he had voluntarily decided to leave the Mosque to avoid confrontations that followed the take over of two other Mosques; Masjid Musa and Masjid Sakina.

Another mosque a few meters away from Masjid Swafaa has also reportedly been targeted by the radical youths. Worshipers at Masjid Rahman located at Bakarani said they were informed of the threats during the Friday mid day prayers

The take over of Masjid Swafaa will raise the attention of security of the security agencies in Mombasa over the resurgence of radical youths in the coastal town after months of relative calm. President Kenyatta has on several occasions warned that the government will take drastic action against preachers who use sanctuaries of worship to radicalize the youths.