Mufti Hitimana has urged all Muslims to maintain a prayerful lifestyle even after the Ramadan period, and work hard as well as continue extending support to the needy.

The Mufti made this call on Monday, May, 2 during national prayers celebrating Eid al-Fitr— a festive holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, that were held at Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo.

"My message is to urge the Muslim community to sustain activities of love, re-examining themselves, and approach Allah as well as continue working hard for a better future,” he said.

The Mufti went on to encourage Muslims to keep on respecting all prevention measures in the fight against COVID-19, and stay away from habits that might lead to the violation of the directives to fight the virus.

"It’s been years without such mass turn-up in prayers. Now we thank God for it and in order to keep it, we have to be more vigilant with all covid-19 measures for us to avoid getting back to the hard times of the pandemic,” he said.

In addition, he pointed out that having such an opportunity of allowing a huge number to pray, as well as recording a few positive cases, in general, is a result of the effort that was put into all prevention measures.

"Muslims have to celebrate responsibly to avoid any loopholes which can lead to the increase of covid-19 cases. We are still in times of fighting the spread of coronavirus,” he added.

Commenting on the challenges that Muslims might have faced during the Ramadan period, he said that none were experienced noting that they started and ended Ramadan well.

He also revealed that this year’s annual Hajj (Holy pilgrimage) in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia will be resumed, after two years of being on halt.

However, due to covid-19, only 38 Rwandan Muslims will be allowed to attend it.