Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya says the national government is committed to promoting religious harmony and national unity.
Mvurya says the government and religious institutions like mosques and churches are critical partners in shaping values and mentoring the current and next generation.
He says the government was committed to creating an enabling environment with opportunities for all citizens irrespective of their religious, political and ethnic affiliations while emphasizing the indispensable role of the places of worship in addressing the country’s socio-economic and moral challenges.
Mvurya urged religious leaders to remain steadfast in promoting interfaith harmony, denouncing violence, and fostering reconciliation among the diverse communities.
The CS called on religious leaders to promote virtues such as integrity, patriotism, social justice and unity in the country.
“We cannot do without societal values and so we must invest in religious institutions that will provide good values for our children,” he said.
Mvurya, who was accompanied by Kwale Deputy Governor (DG) Chirema Kombo and Msambweni MP Feisal Bader was speaking in Ramisi ward, Msambweni sub county of Kwale where he led a funds drive for the local Jamia mosque.
The spiritual event brought together religious and political leaders, women and youth groups, and members of the Muslim faithful.
Mvurya underscored the critical role of religious education in shaping the character and development of children, commending the dedication of religious teachers and acknowledging the invaluable guidance of parents in nurturing moral values. He urged religious leaders to reclaim their roles as the ‘moral compass’ of the society so as to protect the country’s well-being and values.
He asked the Muslim community to strengthen the prevailing peace, tolerance and religious harmony in the country to accelerate socio-economic progress.
“Religious leaders play a vital role in shaping societal values,” he said, adding that they should continue to offer guidance to the youth.
Mvurya called on parents to play an active role in shaping the lives of their children by instilling core values that will help them become responsible members of the society.
“The youth must be nurtured with strong moral and religious values to become responsible and respectful citizens,” he said.
Kombo said Kwale was a beacon of religious tolerance and urged the residents to uphold such values to promote development.
The DG has also urged parents to prioritize the upbringing of their children by instilling positive values, emphasizing the crucial role parents play in fostering a harmonious and moral society.
Bader echoed the same sentiments, advising parents to live up to their responsibilities of raising their children well for the general good of the society and country and called on Muslims to continue living by Islamic principles of justice, kindness, honesty and patience.
By Hussein Abdullahi
