Shiite school established by Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir in Kenya: Ali Saeed Samoja

News Africa and Arab countries

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir’s student said, “This eminent scholar politely responded to doubts about the Shiite school, strengthening its position and spreading it in Kenya. Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir played a key role in establishing Shia in the country.”

On the occasion of the demise of the divine scholar, the preacher of the teachings of the Quran and AhlulBayt (a.s.) in East Africa, and Kenyan member of the General Assembly of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir Juma, a commemoration was held online and in person on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, from 19:00 Tehran time at conference Hall of AhlulBayt (a.s.).

In this ceremony, referring to the personality dimensions of Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir, Sheikh Ali Saeed Samoja stated, “This scholar was involved in the spread of Shia in East Africa in general, and in Kenya in particular. He had a special place among the religious figures of Kenya, before and after his conversion to Shia. Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir was one of the great Sunni scholars before he became a Shiite, and he spoke at the Nairobi Grand Mosque, one of the most important religious centers in the Kenyan capital. His lectures attracted many people and young people participated in his lectures.”

“Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir also attended the Riyadh Mosque on the outskirts of Nairobi, and many people attended his lectures at the mosque. Sheikh also had a Q&A program on Kenya National Radio, which had audiences in most Kenyan homes. Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir’s radio program was welcomed by children, adults, Muslims and non-Muslims in Kenya, and many people became Muslims by following the program,” he continued.

“After the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, this prominent scholar was one of the supporters of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and encouraged the youth to support this revolution and study about Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and the Shiite school. Shortly after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, he announced his conversion to the Shia, which was widely reflected in Kenya and neighboring countries. So that many attacks were carried out against Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir and the Shiite school, in order to prevent the people from converting to the Shia by tarnishing the image of the school,” added Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir’s student.

“After declaration of his conversion to Shiism, the prominent scholar was removed from all his positions. He was also barred from speaking in mosques in Kenya. Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir’s radio programs were also stopped, and he returned to his city, Mombasa. Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir’s used the capacity of the Bilal Institute there to deliver speeches on various occasions, including Muharram. Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir’s confronted the oral and written attacks of Wahhabism and in this way, he wrote many books such as ‘Shia and Companions’, ‘Shia and Quran’, ‘Shia and Hadith’, ‘Shia and Taqiyya’, ‘Fadak’, ‘Tafsir Surah Al-Hamd’ and ‘Tafsir Surah Al-Ahzab’,” Sheikh Ali Saeed Samoja stated, referring to the events after Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir declared his Shiism.

“Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir politely responded to doubts about the Shiite school, strengthening its position and spreading it in Kenya. Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir played a key role in establishing Shia in the country. The eminent scholar established the Amir al-Mu’minin Institute on the outskirts of Mombasa in the Sahel region of Kenya. At this school, he taught in Swahili, and raised many missionaries. But Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir left the school for some reason,” he continued.

“With the remaining books and speeches of Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir, his role in dissemination of Shia school continues. I call on the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly to turn the speeches of Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir into books or booklets so that more people can use the heritage of this eminent scholar. Also, the books of Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir must be translated into various languages, including English. There is a need to hold a conference to study the personality dimensions of Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir, as a model for future generations to use his experiences,” Sheikh Abdillahi Nasir’s student noted.

Tags

• AhlulBayt (a_s_) World Assembly
• Commemoration
• Kenya
• Qom
• scholar
• Shiite