RWAMAGANA - Hundreds of Moslems across the Eastern Province gathered at the Provincial headquarters yesterday, to discuss with officials of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the election procedures ahead of the forth coming presidential polls. 

The Moslem leader, Mufti Sheik Saleh Harerimana, said that the purpose of the meeting was to arrange for fair elections. 

"Moslems were targeted by past regimes to the extent that their children never went to school. This sort of deliberate marginalization affected the community up till 1994,” he said. 

"Our respect for President Paul Kagame cannot be overemphasized. He picked us from the very bottom of the societal pit; we can’t shy away from mentioning it, in any circumstances.”

He noted that Moslems as God fearing people should always be exemplary.

Citing various Koran versus, he added that Moslems have the obligation to participate in elections and assist others to do it calmly. 

The Mufti urged all Moslems to guard jealously, the peace and tranquility ushered in the country since 1994. 

Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa, Chairman of NEC reminded the Moslems the role of different denominations in elections. 

He noted that Rwandans must think critically during the challenging  period of elections because this is the time when people elect those who will ‘serve their interests or shatter them’. 

"We have to participate fully, we need to own the elections and defend the process, by identifying those with plans to sabotage such processes,” he said. 

The NEC chairman advised Moslem leaders against being guided by what he termed as narrow sentiments during the election. 

"We have to identify loopholes that may be used to jeopardize the elections. Let everyone be vigilant, we cannot afford to be complacent  since the repercussions of troublesome elections affect all,” he said.

Ends