Kenya is mourning the passing of Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein, a revered Islamic scholar and judicial leader, who died on Tuesday in Mombasa after a brief illness. His death marks the end of an era in the country’s Kadhi Courts system, where he served with distinction as the highest-ranking Muslim judicial officer, overseeing matters of personal law for Muslims across the nation.
Sheikh Hussein, who had held the office of Chief Kadhi since 2013, was widely respected for his wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice, particularly in cases involving marriage, divorce, inheritance, and other facets of Islamic family law. His leadership was instrumental in modernizing the operations of Kadhi Courts while preserving the integrity of Sharia principles.
The news of his death has sent ripples of sorrow across the country. Religious leaders, political figures, and citizens from all walks of life have paid glowing tributes, remembering him as a bridge-builder between communities and a moral compass in times of national uncertainty.
“Kenya has lost a towering figure of faith and jurisprudence,” said Chief Justice Martha Koome in a statement. “Chief Kadhi Hussein’s contributions to our legal system and religious coexistence will be remembered for generations.”
Born and raised in the coastal region, Hussein rose through the ranks of Islamic scholarship, earning respect not only within Kenya but across East Africa. His tenure as Chief Kadhi was marked by advocacy for the rights of Muslim women, interfaith dialogue, and judicial reforms that brought dignity and accessibility to the Sharia-based court system.
A funeral prayer attended by thousands was held at Mombasa’s Masjid Musa before he was laid to rest at Kikowani Cemetery. His passing leaves a significant void in the religious and legal fabric of the nation, but his legacy of faith, fairness, and unity endures.
