Muslims in the country will today join the rest of the world to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the day the Muslim faithful commemorate Ibrahim’s sacrifice to Allah, specifically when he was tasked to sacrifice his son, Ishaq (Isaac).

On the day, Muslims are engaged in various activities including prayers, giving sacrifices through slaughtering different animals like sheep, goats and cows and sharing with friends and family.

In an interview, the spokesperson of Rwanda Muslim Community (RMC), Musa Sindayigaya, said that this year celebration will focus on encouraging Muslims to stay close to Allah, show kind love to neighbours as well as urging them to uphold religious values.

He added that the day will be an opportunity to thank God for past peaceful presidential elections.

Ahead of the day, Sindayigaya said, a total of 800 cows and 2,000 goats, worth Rwf410 million, will be sacrificed.

A third of the sacrificed livestock is consumed by a family, and the rest is given to the needy.

Majority of Muslims in Kigali will gather at Nyamirambo Regional Stadium in Nyarugenge for a prayer that will start at 7am, while, countrywide, there are 60 sites organised where believers from across the country will converge to pray.

Usually, some sacrifices come as support but Sindayigaya said Muslims will be encouraged to strive for self-reliance to provide sacrifice themselves without waiting for support.

The act of giving sacrifice lasts four days.

Sindayigaya encouraged Muslims to stay close to God, adding that the day is special because it shows love that God loved people by rescuing them from perishing.

Eid al-Adha is one of the most important annual religious holidays for the Muslims. The festival, which is otherwise known as the Festival of Sacrifice, begins on the 10th day of the holiest month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

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