BY MAUREEN MUDI
TOURISM Minister Najib Balala was yesterday defended by his political rivals over alleged involvement in funding Al-Shabaab activities. In a surprise move, his long time rivals Kisauni MP Hassan Joho and politician Abdulswamad Nassir, who is also eying the Mvita seat came to Balala's defense saying he was clean. The two said the claims targeted Islamic values of givingZaka-offering.
Speaking after awarding several madrassa learners at Lohana Hall in Mombasa, the leaders said they will support Balala over the claims, and any other Muslim accused of channeling funds for Al-Shabaab activities since they were doing it out of their Islamic duty. Said Joho, "every Muslim has an obligation to give Zaka on all his property. There are those who give Zaka to fund construction of mosques, give the poor or donate to projects", said Joho.
The ODM MP said the Muslim community was reading more than what was reported in the media, adding that Balala went in good faith and raised the money in good faith. "We want to state it very categorically: There is a clear distinction of contributing towards mosques and funding Al-Shabaab," he said. He asked Muslims to feel encouraged in contributing to charity. He said those who want to do so should it without fear adding that the matter was bigger than it seems. "It is meant to make us fear donating," said Joho. Joho added that Islamicleaders will stand with Balala and will not allow him to be accused of such allegations.
The leaders demanded that the security forces arrest real perpetrators of Al-Shabaab, saying they seem known. Supporting Joho,Abdulswamad said, "the issue was not about politics but religion". He added that this was a tactic being used so that people (Muslims) fear channeling money to mosques. Said he, "let it be known that we will stand with him or any other person mentioned by the UN report. Our political differences will not arise here." Also present during the function was politician Mohammed Nthenge. Balala has since distanced himself from claims by the UN report which link him to funding Al-Shabab.
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