WAS THE GOVERNMENT JUSTIFIED IN DENYING A MUSLIM LOBBY GROUP A LICENCE TO HOLD A DEMONSTRATION IN SUPPORT OF FAISAL?

VERDICT: KENYANS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT GOVERNMENT ACTION AGAINST EXTREMIST DEMONSTRATORS THAT CAUSED MAYHEM AT JAMIA MOSQUE LAST FRIDAY

Saturday, January 16 2010
DAILY NATION

1. Submitted by mzeemoja-YES
Posted January 19, 2010

Fully justified.

2. Submitted by vgogero- YES
Posted January 19, 2010

The protestors had not exhausted all the means at their disposal .They had not used legal or press statements to push their case and get public sympathy and support .

3. Submitted by lawmaina78-YES
Posted January 19, 2010

Protesters adorned with Al-shabaab regalia and shooting at the Police and somebody still has the audacity to demand an explanation from the government. Actually police were too mild and that even led to Wananchis taking part against these goons - Lawrence Maina

4. Submitted by WerugiaNderitu- YES
Posted January 19, 2010

East Africa slave trade was well established before the Europeans arrived, driven by the sultanates of Middle East. African slaves became sailor, soldiers in Omani and Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), domestic and sex slaves. After slave trade abolition, descendants of the slaves in the western countries still live to date. Those who served the Muslim masters disappeared without trace. Rumors has it that they were all brutally killed by inserting woods into the anus and out through the mouth- There has never been a public apology from any Muslim leaders with regard to slavery.

5. Submitted by alnashirdwalji- NO
Posted January 19, 2010

Peaceful demonstrations should be sanctioned/allowed by the government of day. This ensures freedom of expression/assembly is enshrined in the constitution. Demos help to vent out frustrations. This way protestors can have their grievances heard. Yours faithfully, Alnashir D Walji Nairobi

6. Submitted by stenjeboy-YES
Posted January 18, 2010

In as much as we advocate for freedom of expression and speech, the same shouldn't be violated in the essence of posing security threats to the entire nation. Therefore, the lobby group was under all circumstances unjustified to call street demonstrations. If at all they cares for the interests of the common mwananchi,they should have called for a round table meeting with the relevant authorities. Havoc,deaths and destruction could have been avoided in the earliest resort. Stephen Njenga Kamau,Nairobi.

7. Submitted by mutuwa123-YES
Posted January 18, 2010

We are seating on a time bomb when our police keep reacting instead of being proactive. Where are the anti laundering money laws promissed by politicians? Money from Somalia's illegal activites are driving inflation up and yet we do nothing. Why are kenyan muslims silent on the mistreatment of their own people in other muslim countries? Not one demo aginst these injustice. There has never been a public apology from any muslim leaders with regard to salvery. We know slaves were sold off East African coast and yet there has never been any apology from their leaders.

8. Submitted by kamaumuigai-YES
Posted January 18, 2010

Why are these people not holding demos over killings in Somalia ? The police should take this matter seriously. We have a lot of other problems to take care of and the contry should not even waste a minute on uninvited foreigner. Has he already left and let us alone ?

9. Submitted by Henry4- YES
Posted January 18, 2010

I don't recall reading the current constitution whereby the rights of non-citizens carry more water than those of regular citizens. On this topic, the government was justified to deny such a permit because Faisal is a national security concern or threat. Young and deceived Kenyans are reportedly abused daily in the Middle East, but surprisingly there is no outrage here over such crimes. Why? Are they less Kenyan than the non-Kenyan Faisal.. Give me a break!

10. Submitted by Mpakamwisho -YES
Posted January 18, 2010

Any threat to national security should be dealt with harshly regardless of one's religious beliefs. As for the protesters, they were intending to creat havoc in our beloved country rather than protesting about someone's rights being infringed upon. Al Faisal was dealt with just like any government that values national security would. That's why even Nigeria could not accept him to make a stopover there yet it is 50% Muslims. Deport him quickly. Deport Al-Shabaab protesters as well.

11. Submitted by Pepemoja- NON COMMITAL
Posted January 17, 2010

Okumu where is the proof to statement that Christianity is the only true religion. The majority in the West has abandoned Christianity as they cannot phantom trinity as it does not make any sense.

12. Submitted by lawmaina78-YES
Posted January 17, 2010

Protesters adorned with Al-shabaab regalia and shooting at the Police and somebody still has the audacity to demand an explanation from the government. Actually police were too mild and that even led to Wananchis taking part against these goons.

13. Submitted by martin_o_okumu-YES
Posted January 17, 2010

Why bother about a dead religion. Genuine Christianity is the only true religion.

14. Submitted by alimatano-YES
Posted January 17, 2010

Yes the government was right if it had information that the Feisal was posing a threat to national security. No one with sane mind would support a group afflicated to terrorism. Memory of 1998 and Sept 11 are still fresh in people mind. Now we hear of alshabab factor in the saga and the population census saga arising from some naturalized communities. Please let us be objective and save kenya from external aggression through some lobby groups.

15. Submitted by weda- YES
Posted January 17, 2010

These hooligans must face the full force of the law. Kenya has diverse religions and none of them should compromise the security of the peace loving Kenyans. We don’t want Kenya to be thrown to the dogs like Somalia and majority of Muslim states that are in turmoil because of these extremist. Why did they not demonstrate when innocent Kenyans were killed in the August bomb blast? Is it not elements like this Jamaican preacher who quietly sneaked into our capital city and killed mothers, fathers, daughters, sons . The pain relatives are going through cant be measured. Benard Weda-Lisbon Portugal

13/15 IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT- 87%
1/15 DO NOT SUPPORT GOVERNMENT ACTION-6.6%
1/15 IS NON COMMITAL-6.6%