This archive report was first published on 22 August 2020.
Kenyans React to Almasi's Switch to Hinduism ¶
Former Machachari actor Ian Munene, known as Almasi, has made headlines recently after switching to Hinduism.
On August 22, 2020, Almasi shared a photo of himself dancing with fellow worshippers inside a temple, captioning it, 'This isn’t the kinda picture I would normally post on here… but damn I just can’t help it! I’ve found something really beautiful… connecting to the divine through song and dance is the most ecstatic thing that could have happened to me!'
He also shared a photo of a cow, captioning it, 'Sweet connecting with Cows and Mother Earth ☺️.'
Almasi has been using the hashtag #Monklife, which has left his followers confused, as a monk is a member of a religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
However, a section of Kenyans on social media aren’t happy with his change of religion, with some calling him a 'lost soul' and others questioning his decision to worship cows.
One of Almasi's fans inquired about the significance of cows in Hinduism, to which Almasi responded, 'Swali lako lanipa furaha. Maana ya kuwekapicha kama hizi kwa mtandao ni kuonyesha kwamba sio ng’ombe tuu, lakini wanyama wote ni wa Mola. Na shida yetu kama binadamu ni tumeamua kwamba sisi ndio hupanga maisha ya wanyama wake. Ng’ombe ni kama mama. Yeye hutupatia dawa, maziwa na ulinzi. Mbona sasa tuwauwe wanyama wa Mungu? Shida yetu ni kwamba ulimi zetu zinatuinda kufanya mabaya duniani na ni lazima tubadilishe tabia zetu zinapotupoteza maishani.'
