The Miraat Awards (TMA) Company Ltd – a firm created by six Sheikhs – in partnership with the Rwanda Muslim Community, awarded some Muslims for their outstanding works that contributed to advancing the performance of Islam and the welfare of its believers. The event was held on Friday, April 21, at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (former Camp Kigali), where over 2,000 Muslims gathered. The Secretary of The Miraat Awards Company Ltd, Sheikh Said Twahiru, told The New Times that the firm was established by six sheikhs who teamed up to develop themselves through organising various activities including awarding outstanding people for Islamic achievements. The Miraat Awards, he said, are mainly based on knowledge of Islam which includes the Quran, the history of Islam in Rwanda, and recognising those who achieved outstanding deeds in the Islamic religion and daily lives. “For us to select the best Imam, it was not only about the Imam leading the prayers in a mosque, rather managing to create good relations between him and Muslims and among Muslims and Rwandans in general,” he said. “It is an Imam who contributed to realising development for Muslims in their daily lives, knowledge and economy... We came up with this in the framework of encouraging Muslims not to be just believers of Islam, but also work for their development and that of their country.” The Best Imam of the Year is Swaleh Nzabonimpa, Imam of Bugarama Mosque in Rusizi District, Western Province. He was selected among some 600 Imams in Rwanda, according to data from the Rwanda Muslim Community. “There is no secret in the activities we do, or the responsibilities we have as Imams, apart from following the advice we were given by the messenger of God, Mohammad, that every time you have entrusted a responsibility, you have to do and accomplish it well,” Nzabonimpa said. “We do not do that with our power, but rather through the cooperation with Muslims who support us in terms of ideas and capacity so that we realise good achievements,” Nzabonimpa observed. Again, Sheikh Twahiru said that Islamic values have great importance, indicating that they urge Muslims to work, and live in harmony with those in non-Muslim communities. Overall, all the awards are significant, he indicated. Elaborating on some of them, he gave an example of the one received by a girl who achieved progress, but at the same time upheld Islamic values, which he said encourages the Islamic youths to work for development as they respect the country’s policies. “It also shows that our country allows the freedom of any religion, including Islam,” he said. The advisor to the Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Suleiman Mbarushimana, said the objective of these inaugural awards is to encourage young and adult Muslims to always be committed and willing to compete in doing good actions so that they become good role models. Underscoring the importance of such awards, he cited a person who excelled in partaking in Islamic activities, as he paid money (estimated at over Rwf149 million) to prevent the acquisition of a mall mosque called Bilali in Kicukiro District, by Apostle Paul Gitwaza-led Restoration Church. The award, described as Best Partner, was given to Is-haq Muminu Ahmed. “The mosque called Bilali was about to be bought by an evangelist called Gitwaza to turn it into a church ... If the mosque was bought, the Islamic activities there would be extinct,” he said, adding that Muminu bought the houses and plots of land belonging to the nearby residents in order to save the mosque and enable its expansion. The winners of The Miraat Awards 2023: 1) Best Bilal of the Year: Said Shangi Mbarushima 2) Best Imam of the Year: Swaleh Nzabonimpa, Imam of Bugarama Mosque in Rusizi District, Western Province of Rwanda. 3) Best Young Hafidh: Hafidh Luq'man Shema (at 13 years of age). Hafidh is the term used by Muslims to describe someone (male) who has memorised the Quran – something that is considered important in the preservation of this sacred Islamic scripture. 4) Cleanest Masjid (mosque): Masjid Nuur Musanze 5) Best Province: South Province 6) Best Qor'an Teacher: Abdu Rah'man Nsengimana 7) Best Old Hafidh: Al'hadj Mwalimu Mah'mud 8) Best Hafidh: Hafidh Ismail Irakiza 9) Best Advisor: Djamali Rwehera 10) Best Daa'i (one who engages in Dawah, or the act of calling or inviting people to Islam): Al Hadj Kamana Sulaiman 11) Best S.D.C (self-developed and committed) Young Muslim: Suniat Uwamahoro 12) Best Hafidhwa (female who memorised the Quran): Aisha Nikuze 13) Best NGO (for partnership with Islam): African Development and Education Foundation (A.D.E.F) 14) Best Group (in supporting Muslims and the needy in general): Ubumwe Group 15) Best Partner: Is-haq Muminu Ahmed 16) Best Benefactor (male): El Hadj Omar Maganya 17) Best Benefactor (female): Hadjaty Amina 18) Best Sponsor TMA (Male): Sadate Munyakazi 19) Best Sponsor TMA (female): Asmeen Nounou Murekatete
