Mufti urges the upgrading of Biryogo

NYAMIRAMBO - Thousands of Muslims yesterday thronged the Islamic Cultural Centre in Nyamirambo to celebrate Eid El-Fitr which also marked the end of the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan.

The ceremony which was marked by prayers was presided over by the head of the Islamic community in the country, Mufti Saleh Habimana.

Addressing the gathering, Habimana centered his preaching on the significance of Eid, the Islamic faith, fasting, also taking time to call upon the Muslim community to take a leading role in developing the nation and actively supporting national policies.

He also urged Muslims living in Biryogo area in Nyarugenge district to upgrade their houses and ensure that the area meets the required standard of housing.

Biryogo is a Kigali city suburb that is predominantly inhabited by Muslims and has been criticized for not conforming to required city housing standards.

"No one will expropriate you because you are Muslims but development will expropriate you. We cannot afford losing Biryogo. That is why I urge you to upgrade it in the shortest time possible,” Habimana appealed to the gathering.

He hastened to add that the Islamic community in Rwanda will do all possible to ensure that Biryogo and other areas that are inhabited by Muslims are upgraded to the required standards.

The Mufti also called on all believers to participate in the forthcoming Presidential elections scheduled for August next year.

In the past fifteen years, the Islamic community in Rwanda has grown strong in terms of social expansion; several schools have been built across the country while mosques have been renovated and new ones built.

He attributed the growth of the Islamic community to President Paul Kagame’s leadership and the stable co-existence of Islam and Christianity.

He however said some Muslims are still living with the effects of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi – an issue he branded as the main challenge to Prophet Muhammad followers.

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