The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Ibrahim Kayitare, has called on the faithful to stick to rightful Muslim values to avoid being lured into terrorist acts in the name of ‘jihad’. 

Video: 2015 Eid al Adha Celebration in Kigali, Rwanda. Source: The New Times/YouTube

Mufti Kayitare was speaking to hundreds of Muslims who gathered at Kigali Muslim Cultural Centre in Nyamirambo, yesterday, for Eid al-Adha prayers.

"Conflicts in the Middle East relating to terrorism acts are the result of some people moving away from the Godly doctrines; Allah asks us to be united as stated in Quran. When unity is lost, as we see it in some parts of the world, we get to know for sure that some Godly principles have not been respected as they should,” he said.

"We call upon Muslims to stay calm, live in harmony and condemn anything that can bring about conflicts.”

Eid al-Adha, also known as the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’, is the second of two annual religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide after Eid al-Fitr.

It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to Allah’s command, before Allah then intervened, through Angel Jibra’il and informed him that his sacrifice had already been accepted.

The meat from the sacrificed animal is preferred to be divided into three parts. The family retains one-third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

"This day requires us to be humble and faithful before God, and relates to the history of our Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail and his wife. This is a day when Muslims should share and celebrate together,” Mufti Kayitare said.

"Muslims should reflect on the family relationship between husband, wife and children considering which kind of discussions they can engage in to bring about spiritual and physical development.”

He also urged the youth to shun Islamic State (IS) ideology and stick to true principles of Islam that call for peace and unity among all people.

"Our nation is not an island, we call upon Rwandan Muslims, young and old, to stand up against terrorism and evil in general, to stay true to Godly principles and shun those wrongful beliefs, which have destroyed some countries in the Arab world,” said Kayitare.

The Islamic State is a radical Sunni Islamist militant group that has seized large swathes of territory in eastern Syria and across northern and western Iraq.

Luqman Tuyishimire, 16, said fellow youth should seek Quran-based guidance in whatever they do in the name of the Muslim faith.

In so doing, they will be part of national development rather than being destructive like some Muslim youth who have been lured into terrorism acts, he opined.

Mbarushima’s comments were echoed by Khalid Mwiteteri, 19.

"We hurt when we hear of innocent youth being deceived to subscribe to wrongful jihadist beliefs. The Jihad that we know from Quran, is showing people the right way but not killing them. My fellow Muslim youth should seek Allah’s knowledge and guidance and be mindful of such wrong Muslim ideologies,” said Mwiteteri.

Halima Kampire, 38, said Eid al-Adha should be a day of repentance and asking Allah to reveal the true Godly principles.

"Jihad is not about killing and doing all the wrong things, Jihad, is about doing the rightful things in society, to everyone whether a Muslim or not. The youth should know that radical Jihadism is not what Quran teaches us, God should forgive us,” Kampire said.

Kayitare also dedicated a prayer to the nation; praying for peace and security.

"We pray to Allah to protect our nation, and safeguard the development we have attained thus far. We pray that He will continue to look after our peace and security and all the initiatives that are aimed at bringing prosperity to Rwandans. We will continue to pray for our leaders so that they are able to fulfill their duties,” Kayitare interceded.

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