DailyNation

Saturday, October 20, 2001

Mombasa rocked by rioting after pro-Taliban demo

By EDMUND KWENA

Youths singing Osama bin Laden's praises yesterday went on the rampage in Kenya's coastal town, Mombasa.

They blockaded streets, smashed shop display windows and sent onlookers scampering to safety.

The rowdy groups had broken away from a peaceful demonstration organised by the Council of Imams and Preachers in support of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, which is under a joint military attack by the United States and its allies.

Shopkeepers locked up their premises and fled the rioters, some of whom were drunk.

The youth, chanting "Osama we love you" had defied appeals made by Imams at the start of the demonstration outside Sakina mosque for a peaceful march. "I plead with you not steal from anyone on the streets or damage any property as this will give us a bad name," Sheikh Khalifa said.

They clashed with riot police and fled into the narrow alleys of residential areas with officers in hot pursuit.

The main march by Muslims in white gowns went on without incident. Unusually, it included women.

It was the second demonstration in Kenya in support of Mr bin laden, whom the United States considers to be the prime suspect in the September 11 suicide attacks in New York and Washington.

One of the placards carried by the demonstrators urged "Allah to give the Americans more Anthrax." Another said "For our souls and blood, we shall fight for our Muslims brothers."

The gangs set ablaze American, British and Israeli flags.

Addressing the demonstrators, Sheikh Ali Shee, the chairman of the Council of Imams, said the US was targeting the people of Afghanistan without any evidence linking Mr bin Laden to last month's terrorist attacks.

"Americans helped bin Laden to drive the Russians out of Afghanistan, but when they attempted to use him to destroy Islam, he resisted and that is why they are now hunting down," Sheikh Shee said.

Two weeks ago, the youths defied their Imams and went on a riot, smashing vehicle windows and stealing from hawkers.

-- Anonymous, October 19, 2001