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Kenya deports radical Canadian muslim cleric
Bilal Philips. PHOTO/Arne Dedert/AFP/Getty Images
A controversial Canadian Muslim cleric was deported from Kenya soon after he landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday morning from Qatar.
Sheikh Bilal Philips, a renowned Muslim scholar who is banned from preaching in most European countries was arrested due to security concerns after he arrived in Nairobi.
Anti-terrorism police officers said they had received reports he was scheduled to preach and give lectures in various mosques in Nairobi and Mombasa.
“We did not want to wait until he starts preaching for us to arrest him. That is why we acted fast,” one police officer attached to the unit said.
Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe confirmed the deportation and revealed it was done for security reasons.
“The Muslim cleric was deported due to security concerns. We always put security of our nation first,” he said, without elaborating.
Muslim leaders were due to address a news conference later on Thursday following the deportation.
A statement said the cleric was due in Kenya on a lecture tour and had planned meetings with Muslim leaders.
“However, he was unceremoniously deported out of the country hours after his arrival and this went contrary to pledges by the director of immigration that he will not be deported,” the Muslim leaders said.
