It was handed over to a caretaker committee appointed to oversee the mosque that was wrested away by radical youth late last year.
Sheikh Mturi Rashid, a madrassa teacher who had resigned from the mosque, was appointed acting imam. The other three interim members are Hassan Mohammed, Suleiman Hemed Seif and Rashid Hemed. Speaking during the official opening yesterday, Kisauni deputy county commissioner Julius Kaviva said the state will monitor the activities in the mosque. He said the government has no intention of taking over mosques. Instead, it will provide protection to all Kenyans despite their religious backgrounds. "We have now a legitimate committee and an imam to oversee the management of the mosque. They have a duty to ensure they conduct affairs according to the law and preach peace," Kaviva said.
A source said the committee is under strict instruction not to allow extremist teachings at the mosque. Addressing the media after the official handover, the imam said the mosque will be opened tomorrow after being cleansed according to Islamic teachings. Rashid said all are allowed to attend prayers at the mosque.
"We don't want to sideline the youth. This will not be a good precedent and might create more animosity among worshippers. All should cherish the teachings of Allah and learn to be tolerant," he said.
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