President William Ruto and key Christian religious leaders in Kenya have sent condolence messages to the family of the longest-serving Jamia Mosque Imam.
The largest mosque in Kenya’s Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu passed away on Tuesday morning.
The body of Imam Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu has arrived at Jamia Mosque Nairobi for Janaza prayers. pic.twitter.com/ziET33QTci
— Jamia Mosque Nairobi (@jamia_mosque) October 11, 2022
For 27 years, he presided as the Jamia Mosque’s imam.
The Jamia Mosque Committee of Nairobi released a statement informing the public that Swalihu, who was born in 1949, had died in Nairobi after a protracted fight with cancer.
The cleric specialized in Fiqh (Islamic Law) and also majored in other Islamic studies such as Hadith, Tawheed and Seerah.
His teachings made him famous not only in Kenya but across East Africa.
Swalihu also hosted a popular television program on Horizons TV, a leading Islamic channel in Kenya.
Kenyan President William Ruto sent his condolences to the family and friends of the imam.
“Condolences to the family, friends and the Jamia Mosque Faithful for the loss of Imam Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu. May Allah grant you comfort in this painful time. Rest In Peace,” Ruto said.
Aden Duale, who has been nominated as the next Kenyan defense minister, said in his condolence message: “We will dearly miss his religious counsel and pieces of advice.”
Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan said he is “deeply saddened to hear the passing of the popular Muslim leader, Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu, the Imam of Nairobi Jamia Mosque.”
Many other Kenyans took to social media platforms such as Twitter to pay their respects and post their condolence messages to the Jamia Mosque fraternity.
Condolences to the family, friends and the Jamia Mosque Faithful for the loss of Imam Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu. May Allah grant you comfort at this painful time. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/LC0hmTcILq
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 11, 2022
Ina Lillahi wa Ina Ilayhi Rajiuun. May Allah grant the late Imam of Jamia mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu jannatul firdaus. A huge loss for the Muslim community in Kenya and beyond.
— Hussein Mohamed, MBS. (@HusseinMohamedg) October 11, 2022
The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Kenya Jabor bin Ali Hussein Al-Hawashlah Al-Dosari, CS Nominee Defence @HonAdenDuale , DPP Noordin Haji, Garissa Senator @abdulhaj and other respected Muslim leaders were among those who attended the Janaza of the late Imam. pic.twitter.com/vMPx9O3UcN
— Jamia Mosque Nairobi (@jamia_mosque) October 11, 2022
