Africa Central Area Leaders Welcomed to Jamia Mosque

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Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa Central Area, along with his 2nd Counselor, Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier, their wives, and a team of senior missionaries, were invited to the Jamia Mosque in Nairobi, Kenya for a courtesy visit with Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi, National Muslim Leaders Forum Chair, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome, and other leaders of the Jamia Mosque, on February 9^th, 2026. 

This good-will meeting came about from a sincere desire to get to know each other better as religious leaders and to promote interfaith dialogue, understanding, and cooperation.  As Elder Mutombo expressed, “Our way of worshiping may be different, but we have a lot of things in common.”  He went on to emphasize, “What unites us is more important than what divides us.”  Further explaining, “Because we love God, …it’s a divine responsibility to love our brothers and sisters and serve each other, so we have this common place that unites us.”

Sheikh Lethome agreed saying, “We all have humanity together, …we should try to minimize the differences and expand on what is similar between ourselves, to serve all God’s creatures.” He then graciously told the group to “Treat yourself as if you’re at home.  Don’t see yourselves as visitors. Whatever you want to ask, ask. We are open.” 

He then explained their initiative designated as ‘BRAVE’, which stands for: Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism.  He outlined this program for teaching the true meaning of Islam and re-claiming Islam from violent extremists, including working with those convicted of violent extremism, to provide them needed counseling and to re-educate and rehabilitate.    

Following the opening introductions and remarks the group was led on a tour of the over 100-year-old Mosque.  Further introductions were made along the way as the group saw their working offices, prayer rooms, media broadcast station, and learned of the workings of the Mosque. 

Following the tour the group reconvened in the boardroom, being served refreshments while engaging in open dialogue; discussing shared values, challenges, goals, and hopes for future interfaith opportunities.

During the discussion Sheikh Lethome observed, “There is a lot that brings us together, we call them connectors.  Then we have a few dividers.  Do as you believe in.  I do as I believe.  I believe I’m in the right part; I would not compel you.  You believe you’re in the right part, convince me, don’t compel me.  That is the teaching of Islam, and that is what guides us here in Jamia.”  He went on to say, “I know how deeply your community respects the issue of peaceful co-existence.”

Elder Giraud-Carrier joined in the discussion remarking, “I’ve been very impressed with your work with BRAVE, and the whole effort that you’re making.”  He commiserated saying, “It’s very unfortunate that you have to use the word ‘reclaim’ Islam. Because Islam has been hijacked, raided by extremists which has given a very bad impression of their religion which is otherwise peaceful, and want to be loving and work with other people.  You can count on us to be emissaries of the goodness of Islam, the religion, and the teachings of the prophet,” he assured.   

The Sheikh expressed his gratitude saying, “Thank you very much for those very good comments.  It’s really energizing to know that there are people who can tell between the true Islam and the people who misrepresent Islam.  Every religion can be misused and misrepresented.  It’s unfortunate now, what is being seen currently in Islam, but any religion can be misrepresented.  Now, what is the solution to all this?  What are we doing now?  Can we preach peaceful co-existence?  Can we also focus on the connectors?”  He continued by saying, “If we focus on our differences, I don’t think we’ll get far, but when we focus on what brings us together, we can make the world a better place.” 

In his final remarks President Mutombo stated, “We are all sons and daughters of God, and we believe that.  So, we are brothers and sisters.  We are all part of the family of God and that’s what unites us, and it’s just beautiful to see this image; sitting together as well as this, and having this exchange, this experience today, and we are grateful for that.  He concluded by saying “What we are witnessing today is really the message that we have to send out.  It’s about breaking down all the barriers of separation and misunderstanding.  I think the time has come.”

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