The Southern Province Regional Police Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Francis Nkwaya has urged members of the Islamic community in Ruhango District to equally prioritize public safety in their teachings to woo the followers in building a platform for sustainable security and development. He made the remarks on May 16 while addressing a meeting that drew over 250 members of the Islamic faith in Ruhango. The meeting was also attended by representatives of other security organs and local leaders. The RPC told Muslims that the fact that they’ve enjoyed praying peacefully in the last 22 years, like any other Rwandan, is because of the peace and security that continues to improve over time, which should be sustained. "Community policing is for everyone including religious denominations; actually, faith-based groups can play a significant role in crime prevention since it has access to the mass at all times,” ACP Nkwaya said. "You should be men and women of integrity, condemns and preaches against anything that may cause insecurity,” he added. While urging them to be patriotic, he noted that this goes hand-in-hand with love amongst the people, saying no to wrong deeds, being exemplary while providing information on anything suspicious, which ultimately leads to building secure and peaceful societies. He went on to appeal to them to always provide security organs with information about anyone or anything they suspect could cause public disorder or may mature into a crime. He also took time to enlighten them on the emerging security threats that are transnational in nature both in terms of recruitment and planning terror activities, and urged them to always be vigilant not to fall prey of the tricks criminals use to lure them into their criminal networks. The Muslims in Ruhango expressed commitment in taking part in community policing and recognised what security organs have invested to secure the country. "We are very proud of hosting representatives of security organs at our mosque and we take this opportunity to inform you that we value this kind of partnership, and commit to take part in public safety,” Sheikh Ismail Ntawukuriryayo, the Imam of Ruhango said. He went on to say that; "We will extend the lessons we have learnt in the mosques and ensure all Muslims have a similar understanding of their responsibility in preserving security of our country.

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