Defence CS Aden Duale has responded following an outcry over his 'mandatory hijab' statement on Tuesday, December 20.
Duale who was speaking at Sir Ali Muslim Club, Park Road, Nairobi said it is mandatory for Muslim women to wear hijabs (the head covering for practising Muslim women) in public adding that those opposed to the practice should find another country to live in.
He said anyone who feels women should not wear the hijab including Muslim women should find another country to live in.
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“It is a must for any Muslim woman in Kenya to wear a hijab or scarf. If they do not want, then to look for another country to go to,” Duale said.
Adding; "The government will respect Muslim culture. We will make sure our girls wear hijabs. If you have a problem with our girls & wives wearing hijabs, then you better leave this country because they will wear hijabs.”
The statement spurred mixed reactions on social media and in his response, Duale defended himself saying he will not be cowed by varied opinions but will defend what is written in the Quran.
"Almighty Allah ordered the women to let the two ends of their headgear extend onto their bosoms so that they conceal their ears, the neck, face, and the upper part of the bosom also. (Chapter 33, Verse 59 – Al Ahzab). Islam, like all other world religions, is a way of life with defining tenets that the adherents MUST follow to the latter. There are no two ways about it," he tweeted.
Adding; "Religious hypocrisy has been the root cause of extremism that for a long time, true Muslim faithful have been stereotyped, segregated and in worse cases, killed for.
Further, the CS acknowledged his previous statement arguing that it was factual and in line with the dictates of the Muslim religion.
"The men and women masking their ulterior motives in kanzus and hijabs must be called out for who they are; charlatans! The Holy Book, which is our guide to living a devoted and fulfilling life, explicitly shows that it's not permissible to mix truth and falsehood together.
"As a member of the community and religion that has suffered the greatest forms of persecution the world over, I will not be cowed by the bias and distorted information the media outlets have chosen to run with. I was addressing members of the Islamic faith who know for a fact that I said nothing but the truth. I still am unapologetically Muslim. And, on behalf of Islam - which is bigger than us all - I said what I said, he wrote in conclusion.
