The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Salim Hitimana, has told Muslims that the concluded month of Ramadan should inspire them to be closer to God and do good works even after this period, urging them to support the survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

He made the appeal on Friday, April 21, while leading the Eid al-Fitr prayers at National level, which were held at Kigali Pele Stadium in Nyamirambo. Thousands of Muslims had convened for this event.

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Eid al-Fitr, refers to an Arabic phrase meaning "Festival of Breaking Fast”, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.

Hitimana said that the month of Ramadan coincided with the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

"We should know that we have to remember the Genocide so that it will never reoccur. Therefore, we are called for, and required to be by the side of the survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, by getting closer to them and comforting them during these difficult times so that they are not lonely,” he said, indicating that and by doing so, "we support their renewal and ours”.

"We should be acting in such a way that the genocide never reoccur because when people do not remember or have a reflection, they become complacent and the evil might easily break them, which we do not want as Muslims, as Rwandans in general,” he said.

Amina Shekhalizadi, a muslim, said that the Eid al-Fitr has fostered "greater love, because during the month of Ramadan we share meals, help the vulnerable more than we do during other days”.

"We should get closer to the Genocide survivors, comfort them so that they do not feel lonely, rather that we are by their side,” she said.

Activities that were carried out during the month of Ramadan include those related to faith, and supporting the needy through social protection, as well as helping patients at hospitals.

The Executive Secretary of Rwanda Muslim Community (RMC), Sibomana Salim, said that its management is grateful to God for being able to provide support to the vulnerable people during the month of Ramahan, indicating that it supplied food relief to 7,582 families across the country.

Also, he said that Muslims continued to participate in the Zakat ul Fitr – a charitable donation of food that must be given before Eid prayer, before the end of the month of Ramadan.

"During this action, over Rwf20 million donation has been collected from Muslims across the country. This resulted in the distribution of foodstuffs to 2,600 vulnerable families countrywide yesterday, which helped them to share meals on this Eid al-Fitr," he said.

Holy pilgrimage to Mecca to be smooth without Covid-19 restrictions

Again, Hitimana said that there is hajj, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, which is expected in July this year to this place in Saudi Arabia, which is considered the holiest city in Islam.

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"We thank God for relieving us of that Covid-19 pandemic, and it is now possible that people freely make the pilgrimage to the holy mosque in Mecca,” he said.

He said that, while 450 Muslims from Rwanda are allowed to go to Mecca during the pilgrimage, that number was reduced to just 85 last year, because of Covid-19 induced restrictions. But, he indicated that the situation has returned to normal.

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