VIDEO: Eid Celebrations: Mufti warns of human trafficking

The head of the Muslim community in the country, Sheikh Ibrahim Kayitare, has strongly condemned acts of human trafficking and urged parents to be vigilant. VIDEO: Rwanda Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr 2015. Source: The New Times/YouTube The Mufti was addressing thousands of faithful who had gathered yesterday at Kigali Muslim Cultural Centre in Nyamirambo to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan. “We have received cases of people falsely giving out international scholarships to our students, and then the next thing we hear is that the children had disappeared,” said Kayitare. Sheikh Kayitare (C) leads Eid-al-Fitr prayers at Kigali Muslim Cultural Centre in Nyamirambo yesterday. “We need to be mindful of such imposters. If someone offers your child a scholarship, better inform your leaders first so that they can advise you appropriately because most of these so-called sponsors are human traffickers,” added the mufti. According to Kayitare, several cases had been reported to the Muslim headquarters, including of three students who are yet to be found. The students had been promised scholarships in Saudi Arabia, he said. Muslim faithful wait for the mufti to arrive for the Eid al-Fitr or festival of the breaking of the fast in Kigali yesterday. A recent Police report indicated that most human trafficking victims were taken to Asia and some parts of Africa. Kayitare called on Muslims to continue praying for peace in the country and the entire region. “I trust that we shall have peaceful Eid celebrations—full of joy but also reflecting on goodness of our God so that we lead a desired life,” he said. A muslim faithful gives alms to a woman with disability after the Eid al-Fitr or festival of the breaking of the fast in Kigali yesterday. On the eve of Eid, the mufti called on Muslims to uphold their unity and protect good works they have done during a month-long fasting. “I urge the Muslim faithful to uphold our unity, to keep being humble and caring for others even after Ramadhan. Let’s protect our good deeds of Ramadhan,” he said. Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan and is one of the most important days on the Islamic calendar. Women Muslim faithful arrive for Eid prayers at Kigali Muslim Cultural Centre in Nyamirambo. Abdul Hassan Muyenzi, a resident of Nyamirambo, told Saturday Times that the month, observed with fasting, was about repenting and renewing their relationship with Allah (God). Muyenzi embarked on feeding the poor and helping the needy so as to get blessings. He feels he is a changed person. Muslim faithful pray at Kigali Muslim Cultural Centre in Nyamirambo to mark the end of the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadhan. “I have been fasting each day, repenting and reviving my personal faith in Allah. This day is very special to me and the rest of the Muslim community; we are expected to do good to humankind and so I did my best. I am very certain Allah will bless me for what I did,” said Muyenzi. Muslim faithful leave Kigali Muslim Cultural Centre in Nyamirambo after prayers that ended the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan. Women faithful follow prayers. Muslim vendors sell praying Islamic material at Kigali Muslim Cultural Centre in Nyamirambo.

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VIDEO: Eid Celebrations: Mufti warns of human trafficking