Jamia Mosque Committee demands action against Pastor over inflammatory remarks
"It is clear that the message was against Muslims of this country. From the pulpit of Jamia Mosque, we urge that action be taken against such utterances. If we allow these statements to go unchecked, they will become a recipe for religious conflict in the country"-Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome
The Jamia Mosque Committee has called for immediate action against a church preacher, accusing him of spreading inflammatory rhetoric bordering on hate speech against Muslims.
The Committee urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to take appropriate measures against self-styled “Prophet” Mathew Israel of Christ Chosen Generation Ministries, describing his remarks—captured in a viral video—as divisive, inflammatory, and a threat to national cohesion.
Speaking at Jamia Mosque during Friday prayers on November 21, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome condemned the pastor’s comments as a violation of Kenya’s religious, ethnic, and cultural values as outlined in the Constitution.
“It is clear that the message was against Muslims of this country,” said Sheikh Lethome, who serves as the mosque’s Da’wah Convenor. “From the pulpit of Jamia Mosque, we urge that action be taken against such utterances. If we allow these statements to go unchecked, they will become a recipe for religious conflict in the country.”
In the undated video circulating on multiple social media platforms, the preacher alleges that the government favors Muslims, who he claims are “plotting to take over the country.” He further asserts that Muslims have already “taken over Nairobi” and are “controlling Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Machakos.”
“This is a warning,” he tells his congregation. “If we don’t pray, we are going to have a president from a different religion. If a president from this religion were to take over, Christians will be suppressed and freedom of worship will be suppressed.”
The preacher also makes false claims about the Holy Qur’an, alleging that it encourages violence and intolerance toward non-believers. “In their so-called holy books, they are told that anybody who does not worship their God must be killed. If you don’t belong to their religion, they hate you,” he says.
Addressing thousands of congregants wo turned up for Friday prayers, Sheikh Lethome reaffirmed that Muslims have lived peacefully with non-Muslims for generations, and accused the pastor of attempting to sow discord among Kenyans of different faiths.
“We believe the statements of the preacher were his personal opinions and do not represent the views and beliefs of Christians in this country,” he said.
He emphasized that Islam strongly advocates for religious tolerance, citing the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who—upon arriving in Madina—brought Muslims, Christians, and Jews together in a pact of coexistence.
Quoting the Qur’an, Sheikh Lethome noted: “Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought you nor driven you out of your homes” (Qur’an 60:8).
He also expressed indignation at the pastor’s description of the Qur’an as a “so-called holy book,” calling it a violation of constitutional provisions that demand respect for all religious beliefs.
The scholar urged Muslims across the country to remain calm, assuring them that community leaders were following up the matter with the relevant authorities.
“We tell him as the Qur’an instructs us regarding those who are ignorant: ‘Peace.’ But we will not end there—we will take this matter to the appropriate authorities,” he stated.
Former Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Secretary General Adan Wachu also strongly condemned the pastor’s remarks, calling for firm action.
“This is unacceptable—religious intolerance beyond comprehension,” Wachu said, urging Muslim leadership to pursue the case with viguor and ensure that stern action is taken.