Strive for righteousness - Sheikh Swaleh Habimana

By GASHEEGU MURAMILA
Tuesday, 24 October 2006

As the Muslims from different parts of Kigali yesterday converged at the Nyamirambo regional stadium, the Mufti, Sheikh Swaleh Habimana implored them not to go back to commit sins because the fasting period has ended. “Those who are going back to commit adultery, taking alcohol or drugs and any other unbecoming behaviour are sowing hunger and thirst,” the Mufti told hundreds of believers. He said that every God-fearing person is obliged to speak the truth in a bid of trying to foster unity and development in the country. “If you don’t speak the truth by yourself, you will have betrayed your religion and your country, and when you don’t speak the truth today, someone else will come and tell it which is quite dangerous,” he said. In a message to the congregation, the Imam of Kigali, Sheikh Seleman Byagusetsa also said that the period of Ramadhan was a special time meant to join hands with all the people of Rwanda and the Muslim community in particular in praying and thanking God for having enabled its successful end. “We believe that those thirty days have been fruitful and have brought us closer to God. We should repent and pray to the almighty to continue forgiving us for our wrong deeds,” he said. He added that in a situation where some one commits a crime against the other and repents, there is no need to commit it again because his repentance will have been welcomed. “Even God’s messenger (Nabbi Muhammad) clearly tells us that God welcomes one’s repentance for as long as he doesn’t commit the sin again. This is the reason we are gathered here today to praise and thank God for having protected us,” he said. In his closing remarks, Byagusetsa requested all the Muslims in the country to attend the holy prayers in their designated areas without any excuse. “I therefore humbly request all the people of Rwanda to fully celebrate this day as we also look at helping those in needy situations,” he appealed.Reading a speech on behalf of the Islamic association of Muslims in Rwanda, Alhaji Yussouf Gatikabisi underscored the need for greater unity and love amongst the people as a tool to stop unnecessary bloodshed in the world. “This association is however not happy with innocent lives that are always lost in the world as a result of people who pursue their individual interests in places like Iraq, Palestine and Darfur” he said. Gatikabisi expressed gratitude at the progress so far made by the Islamic association of Rwanda in terms of improving the lives of the people.