Pope's east Africa to cement interfaith relations

By Andrew Ross

NAIROBI, Kenya

Pope Francis’s visit to east Africa will strengthen ties between religions, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) said Tuesday.

Islam and Christianity are the fastest growing religions in Africa but some nations have been scarred by sectarian violence.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to welcome the pontiff when he arrives in Kenya on Wednesday, the first stop in his three-country tour that also includes Uganda, and the Central African Republic (CAR).

Hassan Nado, deputy secretary general of the SUPKEM, told Anadolu Agency that the Pope’s visit would show “we all worship one God”.

“We have a very strong interfaith relationship in Kenya but his visit will help bolster this relationship,” Nado said. “Christians and Muslims in Kenya have always lived peacefully.”

He added: “We expect the Pope to speak on terrorism, poverty and youth unemployment in Kenya. We expect him to speak on gender equality and peaceful coexistence between members of different religions.”

On Thursday, Francis will meet leaders from across Kenya’s religious communities in capital Nairobi.

“I believe that Kenyans, including Muslims, will come out in large numbers to welcome the Pope,” Nado said. “Most Kenyans want to see who the Pope is and I believe that no religion bars anyone from being curious.”