Muslim society praises Uhuru after pausing speech for prayer call

The Muslim Society in Kenya has expressed its gratitude towards President Uhuru Kenyatta after he paused his speech to let the Adhaan finish.

The society in a special message to the head of state said such a gesture is evident the President acknowledges that religious tolerance fosters peace, co-operation and unity among the community.

Uhuru on Monday paused his speech at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma, Tanzania after the Muslim call to prayer during the funeral mass of John Magufuli.

Uhuru who was eulogizing the late president John Magufuli temporarily stopped his speech for two minutes from 12.53 pm to 12:55 pm in honour of the Adhaan in a nearby mosque in Dodoma.

The Adhaan is the Islamic call to prayer, recited by a muezzin at prescribed times of the day.

Adhan is called out by a muezzin from the mosque five times a day, a whole day long in the event of religious holidays traditionally from the minaret, summoning Muslims for obligatory prayer.

The Muslim society said such a gesture is a lesson to everyone to be more tolerant and respectful of all faiths.

"Let's all seek to emulate our leader. The pause to honour the prayer call set out our president apart as a unifier in the ceremony attended by 10 heads of State," the society said.

It said as the head of state, Uhuru has proven that he is a leader of all Kenyans regardless of their religious affiliations.

"The society would like to thank the president for pausing his speech... With the gesture it was evident that President Kenyatta acknowledges that religious tolerance fosters peace, co-operation and unity. May god bless you with happiness and good health," the society said.