Duale calls for Islam unit in Garissa county

The National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale yesterday called for the setting up of a ministry in charge of Islamic affairs under the Garissa county governor.

Duale said spiritual affairs were vital at the county level and urged religious leaders to push for the appointment of an executive committee to take charge of the docket.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of Salam Madarassa in Garissa town, the Garissa Town MP said even if it costs one of the appointed executives to be removed for the creation of the ministry, "the docked must be created."

Duale said he will liaise with religious leaders to ensure one of their own guides the assembly and executives in religious affairs and harmonising inter religious co-existence in the town.

“There is need for people to harmoniously co-exist. Whether you are an Islam or a Christian, please let us put our religious differences aside and leave peacefully. We are all the same in the eyes of God,”said Duale.

The MP said the assembly must enact laws that are friendly to the community to ensure members of the Muslim community rests on Thursday and Friday for prayers while Saturday and Sunday should be turned into normal working days.

Duale said such arrangement is not possible in a unitary system but with a devolved government, assembly members can make laws to suit the larger part of the population in the county.