Rwanda Muslims Remember Genocide
“We came here to pay respects to those who lost their lives during the Genocide as well as show solidarity with survivors,” Al-Hajji Isaac Munyakazi, the coordinator of the Muslim communities in the City of Kigali (CoK) and Rubavu District, told The New Times during a visit to the memorial.
Between April and July 1994, Rwanda's Hutu extremists conducted an organized campaign aimed at wiping out the Tutsi minority.
Human Rights Watch has described the Rwandan genocide as "one of the most terrifying episodes of targeted ethnic violence in recent world history."
Twenty years on the genocide, Munyakazi urged Rwandan parents to encourage their children to visit memorial sites to prevent any future occurrences.
He added that religious leaders should cooperate with the government to support peace, unity and development.
The Muslim leader also lamented the fact that some religious leaders have unfortunately participated in the genocide by preaching hate.
“It's unfortunate that some religious groups played a part in the Genocide. Instead of preaching love, they preached hatred,” he said.
He also called upon victims and perpetrators of the Genocide to forgive and reconcile with each other if progress is to be realized.
Sheikh Djuma Kibata, the chairperson former pilgrims from Rubavu, echoed a similar call for reconciliation and rebuilding the country.
“The future is bright for survivors and the rest of Rwandans. We should not continue to despair,” he said.
The group later donated about Rwf1 million to a family of survivors in Masaka Sector, Kicukiro District.
Source: On Islam
