Kenyan publisher FORCED to withdraw school book over Prophet Muhamad image
3 min read
A Kenyan publisher has withdrawn a school book from the market, following uproar from Muslims who complained about a drawing depicting Prophet Mohamad
A Kenyan publisher has withdrawn a school book from the market, following uproar from Muslims who complained about a drawing depicting Prophet Mohamad.
The Muslim community had expressed their concerns about the blasphemous nature of depicting the Prophet and the request for students to colour in the illustration.
Sheikh Rishard Rajab Ramadhan, a Muslim scholar from the coastal city of Mombasa, described the book’s content as “dangerous” for young children and emphasized that such depictions could even lead to conflict.
In a letter addressed to the Muslim community, Mentor Publishing Company acknowledged the sacrilegious nature of the content in their book, known as the “Mentor Encyclopaedia Grade 2”. The drawing in question had been inadvertently inserted into the book and mistakenly identified as an image of Prophet Muhammad.
Josephine Wanjuki, the director of Mentor, offered a sincere and wholehearted apology for this error and pledged to prevent such mistakes from recurring.
Additionally, the publisher confirmed that the offensive drawing would be removed from all future editions, and they have committed to collaborating with the Muslim Education Council to review their entire catalog of books.
More foreign investors leaving Kenya over government policies; Report
Ruto administration ends Uhuru deal with Cuban doctors
Detective shoots self to death at DCI headquarters
Ruto orders IMMEDIATE firing of 23 officials
Israel vows to ‘wipe out’ Hamas after ’40 babies were found beheaded
71-Year-Old man sentenced to life imprisonment for defiling two-year-old girl
Uhuru ally responds to DP Gachagua plan to hold talks with former president
All teachers, students, and school administrators in possession of the book have been advised to return it to the publisher.
Sheikh Ramadhan praised this decision to recall the books but urged publishers to consult with Muslim leaders before releasing any materials related to Islamic studies.
Mentor Publishing Company acknowledged the gravity of their mistake, regretting the inclusion of the controversial drawing in their book on Islamic studies designed for second-year primary school pupils.
In Kenya, where about 11% of the population adheres to Islam, this move holds significant importance, as it addresses a sensitive religious matter.
Depictions of the Prophet Muhammad are a deeply sensitive issue for Muslims, as they contravene traditional Islamic beliefs that explicitly forbid visual representations of both the Prophet and Allah (God).
Also read,
Iraq, Yemeni armed groups dares US to intervene in Israel-Palestine conflict
UK government announces date for King Charles III visit to Kenya (Itinerary)
CS Soipan Tuya sues estranged husband, demands Sh425,000 monthly upkeep
Israel fires warning to Egypt over Gaza aid ‘We”ll bomb your trucks’
Bleak future as employers plan to cut workforce by about 26.3 percent by January 2024; Report
Foreigners to pay to Photograph Maasai; CS Kuria
Ruto administration list TEN State Corporations for sale after approval of privatisation bill
Follow us
