Muslim Leaders Defend Islam After Senator’s GBV Remarks Spark Mombasa Outrage
Zulfiqar also questioned the senator’s data, asking for clear evidence of women who claimed to be oppressed under Islamic practices.
North Rift CIPK Chairperson Abubakar Bin with other Islamic leaders during press briefing in Eldoret.
By Juliet Jerotich
Abubakar Bin, the Chairperson of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) North Rift, has fiercely defended Islam following controversial remarks made by Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi linking gender-based violence (GBV) to religious and cultural traditions in the coastal region.
In an emotionally charged press briefing held in Eldoret on Monday , Abubakar Bin and Imam Abdulaziz Mohammed said Senator Miraj’s statements were not only misleading but also deeply offensive to Kenya’s Muslim community.
“We speak with deep pain regarding the remarks made by the Honorable Miraj,” he said. “Islam is a religion that honors women and actively fights against gender-based violence.”
According to the Muslim leaders , Islam uniquely empowers women, offering them protection through mechanisms such as Kadhi courts, where a woman can seek divorce if she feels oppressed.
Imam Abdulaziz Mohammed (l) Sheikh Abubakar Bini and Zulfikar Bachu addressing the Media at the Eldoret Media Hub
He pointed out that unlike other traditions that trap women in lifelong marriages, Islam allows for separation when mutual respect and peace are no longer present.
“In Islam, if a woman sees any sign of oppression, she has the right to leave,” he emphasized. “This is not found in any other culture or religion.”
Bin called on Senator Miraj to issue an immediate public apology to Kenya’s Muslim community, estimated at 20 million people, warning that failure to do so could spark mass protests.
“You cannot attack religion,” he said. “If you do, you strike a very sensitive and dangerous place.”He also demanded that the political party which nominated the senator consider withdrawing her from office, accusing her of peddling misinformation and disrespecting Islam.
Other Religious Leaders Echo the Call for Apology
Religious leaders in Mombasa have echoed Abubakar’s sentiments, stressing that Islam gives women a high and respected status in society.
Sheikh Zulfiqar, another prominent voice in the community, expressed deep disappointment over the senator’s remarks.“Islam has not made women slaves. A woman is not forced to stay in a marriage where there is no understanding,” he said. “These statements have really disturbed us.”
Zulfiqar also questioned the senator’s data, asking for clear evidence of women who claimed to be oppressed under Islamic practices.
“In our faith, a woman is always protected—by her parents, husband, or children. To suggest otherwise is misleading.”
The Senator’s Anti-GBV Campaign Sparks Debate
Senator Miraj Abdillahi recently led a gender-based violence awareness campaign in Mombasa, where she blamed harmful cultural norms and religious practices for the alarming rise in domestic killings.
Her office documented over 75 such cases, though she believes the true number is much higher due to underreporting.“Our women are dying,” she said. “These killings must stop, and we must challenge traditions that allow such violence.”
Miraj argued that many survivors remain silent due to stigma, fear, and societal pressure, especially when perpetrators are family members. She also raised concerns about GBV cases failing in court due to lack of witnesses and the influence of deeply rooted beliefs.
Despite her call for action and education, her remarks have clearly struck a nerve within the Muslim community—sparking a fiery backlash that has now become a major religious and political flashpoint in Mombasa.
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