Uhuru becomes first sitting Kenyan president to visit a mosque and pray with Muslims

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday made history by becoming the first sitting Kenyan president to visit a mosque and pray with Muslims.

The President made a stop at Jamia Mosque to join Muslim faithfuls for their Iftar dinner and evening prayers.

President Kenyatta was taken on a tour of Jamia Mosque complex where he visited the library and Horizon TV station operated by the Mosque.

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Muslim leaders during his historic visit to Jamia Mosque as a sitting president (PSCU) Pulse Live Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses Muslim faithfuls at Jamia Mosque in historic maiden visit by a sitting president (PSCU) Pulse Live Kenya

"We are proud of our diversity as a nation of many ethnic groups, colours and religions," he stated in his address to the congregation.

Religious tolerance assured in Kenya

The President also assured the Muslim leaders and the congregation that the government does not support any discrimination against citizens based on their faith.

He also urged the Muslim community to assist the government in the fight against religious extremism.

"When we see violence occasioned, this violence is not occasioned by Muslims or Christians but by criminals. It is this criminal that we fight because they are enemies of Muslims and Christians and all other religious groups," he urged.

President Kenyatta was later gifted with a copy of the Koran as is the tradition of the mosque for all visitors.

President Uhuru Kenyatta gifted with a copy of the Koran during his visit to Jamia Mosque (PSCU) Pulse Live Kenya

The Chairman of the Jamia Mosque Committee Sheikh Mohamed Warfa acknowledged the historic moment noting that it was a sign of unity.

"This is the first time in the history of Kenya a sitting President has visited a mosque. He is opening new doors for the unity of the country," he stated.

The President also earlier made a significant donation of food stuffs that will be distributed to 13 mosques within the city.

He gave away 480 bags of rice, 340 bags of beans and 190 cartons of cooking oil.