Kenya@50: Muslims who have left a mark

Well past his retirement age, Ahmad continues with his passion in architecture. As Kenya marks 50 years of independence, his contribution to society cannot be overlooked 

BY THE NEW DAWN REPORTER

As Kenya celebrates 50 years of independence, little has been said or is being celebrated about Muslims’ contribution in this long journey into nationhood. This is in spite of the fact that Muslims’ achievements are still and will be felt for the better future of this country.

Take for instance Ahmad Suleiman Biringi a retired architect. From mosques to structures that dot many urban areas in Kenya including landmark buildings such as Nyayo House, they all bear his signature. That is not all; in London too, his work can be spotted in some buildings. Today, Ahmad, 73, looks back with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction as he talks passionately about his work which he still engages in well past his retirement years.

A 1963 Royal College graduate now University of Nairobi, Ahmad received his first degree in architecture before landing his first job with the then Ministry of Works. “While working at the Ministry of Works, I oversaw the construction of Madrassa Al Falah in Kibra among others,” Ahmad proudly recalls.

It is while at the Ministry of Works that Ahmad mastered his skills in architecture such that he was a beneficiary of a 1971 technical exchange agreement between the Kenya and British governments. He got an opportunity to secure a postgraduate scholarship to learn advance building and construction at Thames Polytechnic School of Advanced Buildings.   

“That course lasted for 4 years and upon completion in 1974, I stayed in London for an additional two years. It is during this time that I made some contribution in constructing some structures that dot the British skyline,” says Ahmad.

When he came back to Kenya, Ahmad continued his work at the Ministry of Works in architecture which saw him traverse the country. “Being a Muslim, I felt I was fulfilling part of my religious obligation by using my skill towards designing better places of worship for fellow Muslims. Thus, I was involved in the initial design and construction of Imtiaz mosque next to Meridian Hotel in Nairobi, Makina mosque in Kibra, Laikipia Airbase mosque, Kiganjo Training College mosque and the Recruits Training Institute mosque among others.”

Currently Imtiaz mosque is about to undergo a major reconstruction.

Ahmad has not only been confined to designing mosques only but also several learning institutions. “Kibera Academy in Salama Estate in Kibera, Nairobi is among other notable institutions that are part of my work.”

When asked to comment about the current use of computer technology in architectural drawings, Ahmad observes; “I appreciate the use of modern technology and how it has made things simple, however, the old ways of doing things cannot just be wished away just yet. For example, designing and constructing detailed features such as minarets in oriental architecture have to be done the analogue (old) way.”  

As far as his work is concerned, Ahmad is proud to having contributed towards Kenya’s changing skyline.

In the 50 years of Kenya’s independence, Ahmad has also had a taste of different governments under former presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and presently Uhuru Kenyatta.

According to Ahmad’s assessment, it is former president Mwai Kibaki government and now Uhuru’s that have been favourable to Muslims. “Mwai Kibaki brought many notable Muslims to the fore during his reign. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Issack Hassan is one such example. Now President Uhuru Kenyatta is carrying on with the same trend. He (Uhuru) has brought on board outstanding Muslim women personalities such as Foreign Secretary Amina Mohammed.” 

He attributes all these to the fact that Muslims have embarked on educating their children and he is happy about this trend. “10 years from now if the trend continues, we shall have Muslims well positioned in government,” he says.

On the future of Muslim youth in the country, Ahmad laments that the present environment in urban areas does not favour the Muslim youth. “Unlike our times, Muslim youth of today have embraced a lot of westernization and been blinded by short term ventures like drugs abuse instead pursuing more Islamic knowledge.” 

Ahmad’s story cannot end without posing the pertinent Nubian land question in Kibra and he says, “I am grateful to Allah for having given me an historical opportunity that is about to materialise and that is- Nubians finally getting a piece of land they can call their own. We have agitated for this piece of land for many generations and hope that President Uhuru Kenyatta will fulfill his promise by handing title deeds to Nubians.”

He acknowledges that 300 acres of land maybe not be enough for the Kibra Nubian community, but it will do.

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BY THE NEW DAWN REPORTER

No National celebration would be deemed complete without the enchanting and entertaining musical tunes played out by bands from various disciplines of the Kenyan Armed Forces. What you may not know is that even as these bands skillfully play their instruments to attentive crowds, their band master(s) may have been trained by one Yahya Sebit Salim. Indeed his contribution towards setting high band music standards among various armed forces bands both locally and internationally cannot be overlooked. 

An authority and pioneer in band music in the country, Yahya Salim, 85, is currently the band master cum mentor of Starehe Boys’ Center and School in Nairobi and is a retired Senior Superintendent (SSP) from Kenya Prisons where he worked in the same position for 24 years.

The New Dawn was privileged and humbled to talk to Yahya Salim as he revisits his achievements in his illustrious and colorful career as band master that took him places both locally and internationally making him brush shoulders with royalty and presidents among other distinguished personalities.

Born in 1928, Yahya’s enlistment into the King’s African Rifles (now Kenya Defense Forces) was purely out of coincidence. “Like any other young boys of our times, l used to go and play around Bulla Camp previously stationed opposite the present day Kenyatta Referral Hospital. Thus when recruitment began, I just found myself among those selected and trained to play music,” begins Yahya.

Back then in 1945 during his initial training, Yahya found it a boring routine just sitting down the whole day and scribbling music notes. Despite being a source of annoyance to his trainer, with time he got hold of it and enjoyed every moment. “We used to scribble musical notes on large pieces of wooden blocks days on end. At times, I contemplated on giving up but my instincts encouraged me to hold on,” says Yahya. However, this training was to be briefly interrupted when they were sent to war.

With the war having ended, Yahya was again at the camp and this time he caught eye of the colonial bandmaster in-charge who instantly paid keen attention on him as he seemed to grasp music easily and was talented. “By 1952, I had polished my musical skills such that I was seconded to go and train the Malawian, Zambian and Mauritius armed forces bands as a band master.” 

What Yahya noted during the training of such bands was that once he had established a band and it was doing well, a colonial band master would come in and take over. “The colonial bandmaster (s) would bask in glory as I was overlooked.”

Such discouragement and long absence from home made him homesick. “Despite calls from superiors to persevere in my assignment, I missed my country a lot and I wrote a letter purporting that my wife was not feeling well so that I could be transferred back home. Fortunately, I was granted permission to come back home in 1969,” recalls Yahya.    

No sooner had he landed home than he was told to choose joining either the Kenya Police or Kenya Prisons departments as prospective places of work.

Yahya opted for Kenya Prisons department and was instrumental in forming its first band. “With 270 people including 64 women, I was tasked by the then Commissioner of Prisons with the responsibility of training and putting up a professional band. Luckily he gave all the assistance I needed towards realising that dream,” he says.

With that, the famous Kenya Prisons Band was formed and he worked with them for over 24 years before retiring and heading to work at Starehe Boy’s Center and School where he is currently situated.

Despite his exploits locally, Yahya’s shining star caught eye of Queen Elizabeth who in 2005 invited him to England. “This was the turning point in my career because I had never imagined that one day I was to be a guest of the Queen. While in England, I visited many places not forgetting that I met and shared a few musical tips with renowned band leaders.”

At home today, Yahya Sebit can today be found relaxing with part of his treasured musical instruments that included brass plated trumpets, straight soprano saxophone, guitar and trombone just to mention but a few. “Some of these instruments are gifts from friends living abroad.”

Indeed they are priced possessions too because they do not come cheap. “The cheapest instrument can be bought at not less than KSh50,000,” says Yahya. 

On whether he is passing his musical skills to Muslim youth, Yahya laments; “They lack discipline, commitment and passion. However, I am always on the look-out for any promising talent to impart my skills.”

Sadly, according to confidential documents in the custody of The New Dawn issued by the Government of Kenya in 2012 nominating Yahya Sebit Salim for honours and awards for his illustrious career, he is yet to get any recognition for his contribution to the country even as we mark the Kenya@50 celebrations.

It is not yet too late to accord Yahya Sebit Salim a befitting honour! 

SOURCE...The New Dawn.