Photo Credit: Washington Post
Originally published in the Washington Post on 12/22/2015
A deadly terrorist attack shook the city of El Wak in Kenya. A group of Somali militants belonging to the extremist group Al-Shabab attacked a public transportation bus carrying Muslims and Christians leaving two dead and, at least, three injured. The attackers ordered the riders to disembark, instructing them to split into two groups; Muslims and non-Muslims. According to witnesses, the Muslim riders helped Christians by lending them their religious garb and head scarfs. Additionally, when instructed by the attackers to separate from the Christians, Muslims repeatedly refused to comply.
Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Nkaissery mentioned in a statement to the press that “These Muslims sent a very important message of the unity of purpose, that we are all Kenyans and that we are not separated by religion.” He added, “everybody can profess their own religion, but we are still one country and one people.”