PROCMURA AND GARISSA UNIVERSITY MARK THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE WEEK - 2019
The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) together with Garissa University commemorated the International Week of Peace in Garissa University on Wednesday, 25th September 2019. This year’s theme is “Preventing Radicalisation and Violent Extremism in learning institutions”.
Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (RVE) which implicates religion and poses a challenge to intra and inter faith relations, freedom of religion, sustainable peace and development, is a programmatic priority of PROCMURA, where proactive measures are employed to prevent the phenomenon.
Garissa University located in the North Eastern Region of Kenya, experienced one of the worst terror attacks in Kenya on the 2nd of April 2015 carried out by the Somali based Al-Shabaab insurgency, where one hundred and forty eight (148) people, mostly students lost their lives and several others seriously injured. PROCMURA, propelled by its vision of a peaceful African Continent, moved into Garissa University to celebrate the International Week of Peace.
The intervention raised awareness on the fluid enablers of the phenomenon and put in place strategies to improve religious tolerance and resilience against RVE on campus and beyond. The event brought together Christian and Muslim religious leaders from Garissa and Isiolo counties, students from various learning institutions in Garissa, Government officials, PROCMURA Central Office staff, and the wider community of Garissa.
Several conversations around the thematic area on (RVE) were held and identified the driver’s on RVE on campus, mechanism to prevent RVE and the role of religious leaders, Government and security agencies can play to prevent it. This conversation ended with the official launch of the PROCMURA Garissa University chapter by the Vice Chancellor of Garissa University; Prof. Ahmed Osman Warfa and the PROCMURA Team Leader – Finance and Administration, Ms. Joy Wandabwa. The PROCMURA Garissa University chapter will operate as a club within the university where students from various religious backgrounds will constantly engage each other in innumerable ways on emerging issues affecting peace as well as peaceful co-existence.
After the launch of the chapter, the participants congregated at the Garissa University memorial park which houses the plague bearing the names of the 148 people killed during the terror attack. The session was emotional as participants freely shed tears while reading the names of the falling soldiers. The prayers offered by both Christian (Bishop Stephen Kalunyu) and Muslim (Sheikh Ahmed Set) helped to console the participants.
Trees were planted in the park by the participants in memory of the departed souls and also to commemorate the theme of the 2019 International Day of Peace on climate justice.
The students then matched through the streets of Garissa town for a peace walk. They waved placards bearing messages of peace, drawing the attention of passersby, some of whom joined the procession.
The ceremony ended with words of affirmation and commitments by Christian and Muslim students, religious leaders, the university administration, security agencies, PROCMURA staff and the community in congruent to consolidate their efforts, strengthen Christian-Muslim relations, provide counter narratives against extremist ideological constructs, work in collaboration with the community and security agencies to support the PROCMURA Garissa University Chapter all in a bid to Prevent Radicalisation and Violent Extremism.
