The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Musa Sindayigaya, has urged members of the Muslim community to remain guided by values that reject genocide ideology and other crimes against humanity, saying the lessons of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi should continue to inspire efforts to safeguard unity among Rwandans. ALSO READ: ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ is the bond we share, the legacy we leave, says First Lady He made the remarks on Saturday, June 20, as the Muslim community commemorated the Genocide against the Tutsi. The commemoration ceremony was held at Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District, the resting place of more than 2,000 Tutsi who had sought refuge at the former ETO Kicukiro before being abandoned by Belgian UN peacekeepers and and subsequently killed. During the event, participants were taken through the history of the killings in Kicukiro, where Tutsi from different parts of the country had gathered at ETO in search of protection before being forced out and massacred at Nyanza hill, now a genocide memorial site. ALSO READ: Cabinet calls on Rwandans to reject genocide ideology ahead of Kwibuka Sindayigaya said Islam regards genocide as a grave crime because it is rooted in injustice, discrimination and the unlawful taking of human life. The religion of Islam, in its teachings and principles, sees genocide as a serious crime in the eyes of God because it is the crime of killing and depriving people of their lives, he said. Islam calls for people to live together in harmony and prohibits division, discrimination and anything that can separate people. The Mufti recalled that as genocide ideology spread in the early 1990s, Islamic leaders publicly distanced themselves from discrimination and the plans that would later culminate in the Genocide against the Tutsi. He said that in 1992, when extremist ideology was taking root and militias were being prepared, religious leaders were asked to clarify their position. In its statement, the Islamic community made it clear that no one should be deprived of life and prohibited Muslims from joining political parties founded on discrimination, he said. Sindayigaya acknowledged that despite the position taken by the Islamic leadership, some Muslims participated in the Genocide. That did not prevent some Muslims from committing murder because of their own beliefs and choices. We condemn those actions and remind those responsible that they should repent and seek forgiveness from those they betrayed, he said. He said the commemoration period provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made through the Ndi Umunyarwanda programme and on the responsibility of every Rwandan in strengthening national unity. This is an opportunity to assess how far we have come and to reflect on the role of each one of us in further promoting the unity and integrity of Rwandans, he said. The Mufti also condemned genocide denial, genocide minimisation and attacks against survivors. The Islamic community in Rwanda calls upon all people to preserve the unity of Rwandans and avoid anything that could bring back divisions. It condemns those who deny or minimise the Genocide, those who promote genocide ideology, as well as acts targeting survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, he said. Sindayigaya also paid tribute to the RPA Inkotanyi for stopping the Genocide and rescuing those who were under attack. He further commended the force's role in supporting national reconstruction, maintaining security and contributing to the country's development. ALSO READ: Experts on why genocide ideology continues to spread abroad Speaking at the event, Lt Col Simon Kabera, the Deputy Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), took participants through the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, explaining how years of planning and indoctrination facilitated the mass killings. He outlined the stages that led to the Genocide, noting that the carefully prepared plan enabled perpetrators to kill more than one million people within 100 days. Kabera also spoke about the liberation struggle that stopped the Genocide and highlighted the RPF-Inkotanyi's choice to promote unity among Rwandans as a foundation for the country's recovery and development. He urged members of the Islamic community to use every means available to combat genocide ideology and genocide denial. Whether young or old, we all have a responsibility to confront genocide ideology because it is what brought Rwanda into tragedy. We must also confront those who deny the Genocide, he said. I ask for your cooperation in a struggle that every one of us can take part in. Whether you are a soldier, a student, a researcher or a leader in any institution, use every means at your disposal to ensure that the message of 'Never Again' becomes a reality and that this country continues to grow stronger. Kabera also called for continued efforts to provide young people with education that promotes unity and rejects division. ALSO READ: How youth can lead fight against genocide ideology on social media Felicien Nsengiyumva, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), urged faith-based organisations to learn from history, reject divisive ideologies and continue promoting messages that strengthen national unity. He encouraged religious leaders to use their platforms to foster reconciliation and advance messages aimed at bringing Rwandans together.
