KIGALI - Rwanda Muslim Association, yesterday, officially launched a website that will help promote Islam as well as showcase roles of the Muslim community in the country’s development.

The website www.ijwi-islam.org is in Kinyarwanda, with links to other international Muslim sites in several languages, including English and French.

"This site will educate, encourage use of ICT, as well as give correct information to anyone conducting a survey about Islam,” said Sheikh Swaleh Habimana, the Mufti of Rwanda.

He added that besides religion, the site will also promote government programs like education, health and contribute towards the fight against genocide ideology, among others.

"We shall have standby operators to attend to our subscribers on what we have termed as ‘Live Chat’ in various disciplines,” he said.

Rwanda Development Board`s website is also accessed through the site, something officials say, will help in informing and promoting RDB`s activities.

The Minister in the President’s Office in charge of ICT, Dr. Ignace Gatare, commended the Muslims for the development saying it’s a great contribution to the country’s vision 2020, especially in the use of ICT.

"The site has a unique and relevant structure that covers not only Islam as a religion, but also general issues that develop our country,” Gatare said.

Officials said it took three years to develop this site and that it was a challenge coming up with the correct information in Kinyarwanda since Islamic books are mostly written in Arabic.

The launch was attended by the Mayor of Kigali City, Fidele Ndayisaba and Egyptian ambassador, Khaled Abdel Rahman, among others.

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