Nairobi News

News

Muslims protest beer festival to be held at Jamia mosque ‘doorstep’


Jamia Mosque has protested a move by Nairobi county government to license a beer fest near their worship place.

In a letter to the Governor Evans Kidero, Jamia Mosque Committee Secretary General Abdul Bary Hamid says the noise from the street party will affect Friday prayers.

The Tusker Street Bash is expected to kick off Friday 6pm and set-up has already been done with a strong sound system to entertain revelers.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY

Mr Hamid, in his protest letter, says the “promotion is being done with malice and deliberately planned to hurt the sentiments of members of the Muslim community whose stand against the consumption and promotion of alcohol is well known”.

PROVOCATION

The secretary general termed the move as a provocation to Muslims turning up for Friday prayers at the mosque.

PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU
PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU

“Besides, it is well known that due to adverse health and societal effects of alcohol consumption, strict regulations aimed at limiting the consumption of alcohol have been enacted in the country and we cannot understand why the County Council is going out of its way to encourage its consumption more so at the doorsteps of religious institutions,” stated Mr Hamid.

The committee secretary urged governor Kidero to handle the matter urgently and prevent the organisers from hurting the religious feelings of Muslims.

Tusker will be hosting a street bash right outside popular Mojo’s Club with performances from Khaligraph Jones and Wangeci expected.