Regional Muslim leaders agree to strengthen ties

Muslim leaders from around the region have agreed to strengthen ties as one of the ways to spread the Islamic faith.This was one of the resolutions made during a five-day regional conference that attracted Muslim leaders from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. The workshop that took place in Kigali was organised by the African Development and Education Foundation (ADEF). It attracted 90 participants. The workshop aimed at bringing together Muslim leaders from around the region to discuss measures through which Islam can be made stronger, according to Juma Byakatonda, the coordinator of the conference.“As leaders, it is important to work together to come up with common mechanisms to address issues that might affect the spread of our religion,” Byakatonda said.He noted that just like any other religion, Islam requires commitment and that this comes with learning and understanding the religion. This, he said will enable the young generation to play a significant role in building and strengthening the Islamic principles. Yasiin Mustafa Kacecere, who represented the Tanzania Muslim community, said the conference was an opportunity to learn and share experience about the Islamic religion.“We came up with efficient mechanisms that will enable Islam prosper in the region,” Kacecere said.He pointed out that, as believers, the overall objective is to have God fearing citizens who will promote unity in their communities and the region.During their stay in Rwanda, the team visited Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Sheikh Twagiramungu Mudaseba , the ADEF representative, warned the youth against genocide ideology and urged them to join efforts to unite the Rwandan population.“With love for each other, especially through faith, I am sure Rwanda and the world as a whole will never experience what happened in 1994 again,” he said.

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Regional Muslim leaders agree to strengthen ties