SUPREME
COUNCIL OF KENYA
MUSLIMS
UNDERGRADUATE
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR MUSLIM
COMMUNITIES IN NON-MEMBER COUNTRIES
ANNOUNCEMENT
For
Academic Year 1433H (2012-2013)
The Islamic
Development Bank (IDB), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is pleased to announce the availability
of eight (8) Scholarships for undergraduate study under “the IDB Scholarship
Programme for Muslim Communities in Kenya.”
The IDB
Scholarship Programme offers Scholarships to the selected candidates to pursue
undergraduate study in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture and
related subjects. The scholarship
covers:-
ü Monthly
stipends
ü Books
& Clothes Allowance
ü Tuition
fees (wherever agreed and apply)
ü Medical
coverage (only through government or state sponsored hospitals)
ü Returned
air-tickets to join study and after
graduation (for students who study abroad only)
Prospective
applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
ü Age
not over 24 years
ü Confirmed
students’ first year admission in approved professional course
ü Holder
of K.C.S.E B+ and above with very good grades in English, Mathematics, Physics,
Chemistry and Biology
ü Financially
needy
ü Committed
Muslim and citizen to serve their community
ü Not
recipient of any other scholarship
ü Must
have National Identification Card
The Scholarship
is an interest-free loan (Qard Hassan) to the students to be repaid after
graduation in easy instalments to IDB Education Trust-Kenya.
Interested
applicants should collect application forms free of cost from:-
Supreme
Council of Kenya Muslims – Nairobi and return them duly filled
with copies of all necessary documents, certificates e.t.c on or before Friday,
20th April 2012 for onward transmission to IDB-Saudi Arabia for
final selection. This exercise is very competitive and transparent.
Canvassing is not allowed.
For further
information please Contact:-
Yusuf W. Murabwa
Executive Officer
Supreme
Council of Kenya Muslims
P.O. Box 45163-00100 - NAIROBI
Tel: 2243109
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Muslim women mark International Women’s Day
Harsh economic times are driving many Muslim women out of the comfort of their homes
into small businesses and petty employment to supplement household incomes.
into small businesses and petty employment to supplement household incomes.
By Ethel Omenda
International women’s day celebrated on March 8 is set to appreciate ordinary women who are striving to make a living through descent means from political, economic and social aspects. This year’s theme: Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures gave women the chance to celebrate
their achievements could not come at a better time.
In an effort to recognize and appreciate
Muslim women achievements in the face of hard economic times the country is
going through, Marhaba interviewed women who are striving to provide for and
supplement their families income through small businesses. These women’s effort
and determination in providing for their families is one of the key issues
highlighted on this day.
Despite being physically challenged, Aisha
Namagembe is one of these woman and she moved from Uganda to Kenya two years
ago. She is a determined woman struggling to provide the best for her children.
She seems to know what the international
women’s day entails but admits she has never celebrated it in Kenya unlike when
she was in Uganda. Due to the escalating inflation in East Africa, Aisha
struggles to rescue her family from poverty.
The 28 year old ventured into the business
of selling snacks near Jamia mosque in Nairobi. She has been selling heena,
mabuyu, achari, coconut, crisps and groundnuts from November last year.
Her snacks sell at between KSh10, 20 to 60.
The expensive of her goods is achale that goes for KSh60. Though she makes a
good profit of about KSh500 to 700 on a good day, the money is not enough for
her to expand her business.
“I provide for my three children aged
between eight and five years from the profits I get. I have not saved enough to
set up a big shop which I desire so much”, explains Aisha.
Having lost her husband at a young age, she
has assumed the role of being the bread winner for her family. She is full of
praise for her friend in Mombasa who introduced her to the business and taught
her the preparation process. Her customers who are men and women and not only
from the Muslim community; are very patient and polite to her.
This mother of three is helped by her
sister Miriam, Aisha is able to meet her customers’ demand which sometimes is
high.
Although she admits business is good so
far, she can’t deny she misses out on the profits on the sunflower which is
also the customers’ favorite. She hardly has enough money saved to make more,
so as to meet the demand.
Corrupt city council officers on patrol
have also hindered her business from prospering. “I cannot run like the others
so I am forced to give them the money to save my goods from being destroyed”,
laments Aisha
She draws her strength from the Quran,
which she says gives her much comfort. Aisha has skills in tailoring and her
hope is to save the little she gets so as to set up a bigger shop back in
Uganda.
The struggle for self employment,
independence and the need to assist in the provision of basic needs have also
driven Farhia Abdi to venture into the business of selling camel milk for the
past five years in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area.
Camel’s milk, mostly cherished by residents
of North Eastern Kenya, and is now enjoying a renaissance in Nairobi. However
inflation has rendered the price of this precious commodity to drastically
shoot up from KSh60 to 120 per litre.
Every day Farhia joins other women sitting
and crowded under the scorching sun at Eastleigh’s fourth street. She has to be
at the bus terminus in the same area from as early as between seven and ten in
the morning to receive her milk orders. The orders for the next day have to be
made by noon the same day and the maximum order is six cans of twenty litres.
The demand for camel milk in the area is
high and she is proud to have educated her children and provided for the family
from the little profits she makes.
“I have two children in class four and five
and I paid their school fees from this business”, she says proudly.
Although Farhia is all smiles and a bit shy
as she speaks to Marhaba, the eloquent Somali speaking lady has seen the good
and the bad sides of her business. She has incurred losses during the recent
clashes in Garissa hence affecting the supply of milk.
The 26 year old orders her milk from North
Eastern province, home to local camel pastoralist. Milk from Garissa, Wajir,
Isiolo and sometimes Nanyuki comes in two forms; fresh and sour.
Farhia asserts that most of her customers
prefer camel milk from Isiolo. The milk can then be refrigerated or boiled to
preserve it for up to two weeks.
In comparison to cow milk whose price is
slightly lower than camel milk, the cost goes for KSh60 and 120 for half and
one litre respectively. The price for sour milk is KSh50 to 100 for half and
one litre. However, sour milk is not her customer’s favorite hence she incurs
looses at times, explains Farhia.
The transport cost for the bus transporting
a 20 litres can from Northeastern to Nairobi is KSh100 per can.
Farhia agrees that the business is at times
competitive but she gives thanks to her religious values. “I do not become
jealous whenever consumers do not buy my milk. Allah (God) is the one who
provides.”
Camel milk is well suited for the
production of cheese because of its salty taste. There are beliefs that the
milk contains antibodies which may help to fight against serious diseases like
cancer, Alzheimer’s and hepatitis B.
“Itprovides an alternative for those allergic to cow milk. Camel’s milk, is rich
in taste, must be taken slowly to allow the stomach to digest. It increases
immunity in humans due to its high concentration of insulin,” confirms Farhia.
Nestaha Ahmed Abdi, a single mother is a
proud owner of a middle class cafe in Eastleigh. Her café popularly known as
Hotel Nestani has been a food parlor since 2003.
The starting of her business was fuelled by the need to be financially independent
so as to cater for her children. Nestaha has two children in classes seven and
two respectively. Her business has enabled her to pay school fees for her
children who are enrolled at Wisdom Academy a private school in Eastleigh.
Nestaha’s business is demanding and she has
to wake up early to prepare for the day. It is due to this reason that she did
not take time to celebrate the International Women’s Day. “I am aware of the day but I have to monitor
everyday’s progress and help in serving my customers at times”, explains
Nestaha.
The 27 year old major contribution to the society is creating employment opportunities one of the agendas that were
marked on this day. As the world mark this day, she is proud to having offered
employment to three workers.
Her determination to provide the best for her family can be read from her face as she speaks. “God has given me good
health and I am not disabled, so why can’t I strive to bring out the best in
me. However small it is its better off than begging”, says Nestaha.
Her nine years experience in the hotel
business has been a success. She has not experienced any major problems. “I
have complied with the requirements of the City Council,” states Nestaha.
Her message to the Muslims women is to find
better ways of helping themselves and not wait for their husbands to provide or
beg for money on the streets.
Aisha, Farhia and Nestaha are a source of
inspiration to fellow Muslim women who are determined to make ends meet in
life. As Kenyans celebrate the international women’s day these women pose a
challenge to their fellow Muslim women to help save their families from
poverty.
Meanwhile, Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance
gender department too celebrated the International women’s day that brought
together women from Kibera and Kawangware constituencies. The meeting gave
women insight on the importance of celebrating women’s achievements, how to
identify good leaders, children’s rights, and gender based violence and women
gains in the New Constitution. The meeting also gave upcoming women aspirants
to the forthcoming general elections an opportunity to market their manifestos
to fellow women as well as seek support.
What Muslims think of the International Women Day
“Empowerment is needed to further enlighten
women on various issues.” Kaltima Sebit, 33, Businesswoman.
“A women’s
place in the family setup should not be under rated. Issues of oppression need
to be addressed.” Amina Barakat, 30, Tailor.
“Gains in the
constitution will benefit everyone in the community and not just women.”
Virginia
Nduta, Prog. Coordinator, WEL.
“I know what
the day entails but I will not celebrate it because I don’t see most women
interested in celebrating it.”Aisha Mohammed, 47, Business woman.
SOURCE The New Dawn.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Where Muslim thugs are not accorded Islamic burial rites
Where Muslim thugs are not accorded Islamic burial rites
By Iddi Musyemi
Muslim youth engaging in criminal activities in Kibera be warned! You will not be accorded Islamic burial rites in the event of your death occasioned by your unlawful activities.
This unanimous decision was arrived at August last year by Imams and Sheikhs under the umbrella of Bawaki (Baraza La Waalimu Kibra), is a radical move meant to curb insecurity that is rampant in the area. What’s more is that the community and local administration fully supports this courageous initiative.
In an interview with a delegation of Bawaki members led by Imam of Makina mosque, Kibera and chairman of Bawaki, Suleiman Mohamed, noted that Muslim youth had made it a habit of routinely engaging in ‘revenge’ attacks soon after the burial of a dead colleague at the Kibera Muslim cemetery. In the process, innocent Kibra residents are terrorised as business people at Toi Market get robbed amid chants of Takbir! (God is Great). These chants of Takbir have made some Kibera residents believe that it was ‘Islamic’ to harass people after Muslims bury their dead.
According to Abdulaziz Suleiman, the Imam of Al-Aqsa mosque and Bawaki Assistant Secretary-General , it had reached a point where Kibera Muslim cemetery was deemed to be the main cause of the routine ‘revenge’ attacks and acts of lawlessness. “Thus, we declared that these young men who die while committing acts of thuggery should not be buried here.”
Pained by the fact that the youth were their relatives, sons and brothers, the Imams are categorical that Islam does not condone acts of robbery and lawlessness. “The youth were becoming a thorn in the flesh and after thorough consultations among members and what the Holy Quran and Hadiths say on such an issue. Thus, a unanimous decision was arrived at by Imams of all the 13 mosques located in Kibera,” says Suleiman Mohamed.
Quran 66:6 says that : “O! Ye who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and stones.”
To set the ball rolling, a meeting was convened with the Officer Commanding Police Station (OCS) and Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) – Kilimani Police Station, the DC, Chief and Administration Police commandant in Kibera to inform them of the decision and seek their upport.
A photocopy of the ‘declaration’ signed by Imams was pasted in all the 13 mosques in Kibera and immediately put to test when the body of young man who had succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted from police bullets during a botched robbery; failed to be granted Islamic burial rites by one Imam.
According to Yusuf Nasur, Imam of Kambi Ulum Mosque and Bawaki Secretary General, this has heralded a new beginning in curbing acts of lawlessness among Muslim youth. “After Imams in the area declined to perform Islamic burial rites on two other bodies of boys who had perished as a result of thuggery, these youth realized we were serious. They have began to mend their wayward behaviour.”
“One was ferried to Kisumu for burial after the parents owned up for failing in their responsibilities as another family sought to ‘salvage’ its ‘good name’ and opted to have the body buried at Langata’s Muslim cemetery,” adds Yusuf.
So far according to Bawaki, there has been a reduction in criminal cases occasioned by Muslim youth.
Another positive note is that, the move by the Imams has generated alot of debate in the community and parents are taking the initiative to talk with their children. “An interesting scenerio is a case where a parent had to relocate his youthful son from Kibera so that he could not end up being a thug,” notes Yusuf.
Falling short of declaring it a Fatwa (Islamic decree) the Imams termed it as a collective decision arrived at through consensus. “Earlier we had sought a solution through Khutbahs (sermons) at Friday prayers and other avenues but all these attempts failed,” says Haidar Abeyo who is Imam of Lomle mosque and Bawaki assistant treasurer.
Asked if they have been threatened by remnants of the youth due to this initiative, Abdulaziz Suleiman, the Imam of Al-Aqsa mosque says most threats have been verbal. “Threats are there but we have been steadfast. The boys never come out publicly because we know them since they were once our students in our madrassas. Otherwise, the only time police have come to offer security is during burials.”
Bawaki also confided to the New Dawn that it was unfortunate that many of the boys it had declined to have buried at the Kibera cemetery were reverts to Islam. “Our observation was that a good number of these boys were reverts to Islam and do not have a deeper understanding of Islam,” says Haidar Abeyo.
On whether areas with large Muslim numbers like Kawangware, Majengo-Pumwani, Eastleigh, Huruma or Korogocho among others have sought to adopt such an initiative, the Bawaki delegation says: “It’s only Majengo-Pumwani that had shown interest but they are yet to follow it up,” says Suleiman Mohammad. Yusuf Nasur also adds that despite the fact that each of the above areas has unique challenges, Bawaki is open to exchanging notes with them.
As a preventive measure to dissuade youth from joining criminal activities, Yusuf Nasur says that Bawaki is in the process of including a life skills subject in the Madrassa curriculum. “We have noted that Kibera youth lack life skills to cope with the challenges of life. The younger ones need to be taught at an earlier age on how to live with the rest of the community and engage in a better way to earn a livelihood.” For his part Abdulaziz Suleiman decries the lack of employment among Muslim youth in Kibera but at the same time critises them for being ‘choosy’ about some jobs.
Finally, the delegation reassured security agencies that mosques in Kibera do not habour criminals. “In fact we are grateful for the cooperation we are receiving from Kilimani Police Station-Nairobi, DC-Omar Mbeja, area Chief and AP commandant (Kibera) and wish to tell our youth engaging in crime that ‘We shall let the law takes its course and in accordance with the laws of the land’.”
Photo-From Left: Bawaki members led by Chairman Suleiman Mohamed-Imam of Makina mosque, Yusuf Nasur-Imam of Kambi Ulum Mosque, Haidar
Abeyo-Imam of Lomle Mosque and Abdulaziz Suleiman-Imam Al-Aqsa Mosque. All these mosques are in Kibera, Nairobi.
Source- The NewDawn
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