A collective cry of anguish reverberates through communities across Kenya as a group of devout Muslims recount their harrowing experience with an Imam identified as Ustadh Omar Athman. Allegations of fraud loom large, centered around a botched pilgrimage arrangement for Hajj and Umrah, tarnishing what should have been a transformative journey to the sacred cities of Mecca and Madinah.
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These victims, hailing from various regions of Kenya, have shared stories laced with emotional distress and financial ruin. Many placed their trust in Imam Omar and willingly handed over substantial sums—amounting to hundreds of thousands of shillings—with the expectation of embarking on a spiritual journey. Instead, they were met with a shocking betrayal just days before their planned departure.
It seemed like a golden opportunity. When Imam Omar reached out to Mariam Juma, he offered her Umrah Visas for Ksh.200,000—a tempting deal that promised a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, that promise has turned into a bitter deception. Mariam’s voice trembles as she shares, “We are nearing the end of Ramadan, yet week after week passes, and we remain in the dark about our travel plans. What’s happening in Makkah? Why are our calls unanswered? Why is he not responding?”
This feeling of uncertainty mirrors the experiences of many others who were ensnared in a similar web. Mariam Mohamed Ahmed recounts her plight, revealing that she sent Imam Omar Ksh.360,000, while her acquaintance, Barke Atieno Abdalla, believed that she was doing the right thing by sending Ksh.640,000 through her daughter. The weight of their misplaced trust is a heavy burden to bear.
Desperation fueled Mariam Juma’s resolve to track down Imam Omar’s sister, ultimately leading her to Malindi, where he is known to preach at Al-Ihsan Mosque. Confronted by feelings of betrayal, Mariam boldly stated, “I come in peace; please return my money. Was I ever informed that I would not be reimbursed? Why is everyone so quiet?” Her voice dripped with a mix of vulnerability and indignation—an echo of the frustration shared by others in her situation.
Alongside Mariam, seven other victims have taken the step of filing reports at the Lang’ata Police Station, diligently obtaining an OB number in hopes of tracing the path toward restitution. Among them is Hussein Hassan Ali Omar from Nakuru, whose story adds another layer to this unfolding ordeal. Lured into believing in Imam Omar’s vision back in 2020, Hussein invested Ksh.300,000 with high hopes of helping others facilitate their Umrah journeys. “I started receiving calls from people like me—individuals who had also invested their hard-earned savings,” he explained. “It was disheartening to learn of older women impoverished by years of hard work, selling potatoes and sewing to make a living, all to support a man who turned out to be less than honorable.”
Further fuelling the victims’ anguish was a recent ad on Omar’s WhatsApp status promoting yet another Umrah trip, igniting fears of new victims falling prey to his deceitful schemes. The question arises: how many more unsuspecting Kenyans might be seduced by shiny promises and alluring advertisements?
As the days roll on, Omar’s phone continues to ring with unanswered calls, leaving a sense of hopelessness in its wake. The victims are left grappling with their disappointment, financial losses, and the unsettling notion that someone they revered as a spiritual guide could betray them so fundamentally. They’ve banded together, collectively demanding justice and tirelessly seeking the return of their funds.
What is the responsibility of community leaders and religious figures in such situations? Imam Omar, once a beacon of faith, now stands as a stark reminder of the precarious balance between trust and caution. Trust is a fragile thing, and once broken, it can lead to turmoil not just for those who were deceived, but for the community at large that they belong to.
In confronting their losses, these victims exemplify resilience amidst adversity. Their stories serve as cautionary tales, urging others to scrutinize offers that seem too good to be true. Perhaps, in sharing their experiences, they can shine a light on the importance of vigilance, especially when emotions, spirituality, and money intertwine.
The journey ahead is fraught with uncertainty, but these victims stand united in their pursuit of retribution—seeking not just their money back, but also striving to reclaim their faith in fellowship and trust.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International—Monitoring.
