Muslims from across the country came together at Kigali Pele Stadium in Nyamirambo on Sunday, June 16, to celebrate Eid al-Adha and offer prayers for unity, peace and sustainable development.
Known as the "Festival of Sacrifice" in Islamic tradition, Eid Al Adha commemorates the profound act of obedience by Prophet Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his son Ismael to God, though God stopped him and provided a lamb instead.
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During the celebration, the Mufti of Rwanda, Mussa Sindayigaya, urged Muslims to continue working for the good of their country as he asked them in particular to pray for and participate in the upcoming elections to be calm and peaceful.
"We all have to play a role in ensuring that these elections will go well, as we vote for those who have value for Rwanda and Rwandans. We remind every Muslim man and woman to continue praying for these elections so that they will take place in peace,” he said.
Sindayigaya also expressed gratitude for where Rwanda is, 30 years since its liberation.
"Basing on the saying of Prophet Muhammad that ‘he who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah,’ we know that thanking people is a responsibility of every Muslim man and woman. So, we are taking this time to be thankful for the 30 years since Rwanda’s liberation,” he said as he pointed out a number of achievements reached by the country including unity and development.
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Speaking to the media, Mariam Tumukunde, a Muslim from Nyakabanda, Kigali talked about the significance of Eid Al Adha, referring to it as a great day for Muslims and Muslim women.
"It is a day God chose for us, it is a day of sacrifice, it is a day of sharing and being happy together. We share with both the vulnerable persons and the non-vulnerable ones,” she noted.
Jamal Maboyi, a Muslim from Nyamirambo, talked about the need for Muslims and all Rwandans to continue being united.
"Nothing is impossible for those who are united. All communities around the world require their people to unite, because unity is strength. That is why all people fight divisionism because it makes them weak and their enemy gets the opportunity to come against them,” he noted.