By André Gakwaya;
Kigali: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Rwanda share the human values of tolerance and peace, promoting inclusion and security for all, according to Ambassador Hazza AlQahtani.
“The UAE has declared 2019 the Year of Tolerance. Our country has more than 200 nationalities. He was able to live together in harmony these people of different religions and diverse cultures. Our leadership has come to this goal of coexistence of various religions because it has privileged dialogue. This is also the meaning of Ramadhan that will soon end and it is a time to reflect during the fast, “he said.
He made the remarks at a reception during which the UAE Ambassador invited the accredited diplomatic corps to Kigali to share the meal at the end of Ramadhan, as stipulated by Islam.
The Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Richard Sezibera, was the Guest of honor at this ceremony. Ambassador Hazza AlQahtani took the opportunity to appreciate the courage of the leaders of Rwanda to rebuild a country destroyed by the genocide.
“I thank President Kagame and his team who brought people to live together after the horrible Genocide of 1994. They avoided the country falling into rifts. Now Rwanda’s economy is growing, and the country is a model for Africa. We salute these efforts during this 25th commemoration of the Tutsi Genocide. Fighting corruption, ethnic and religious divisions is a priority for us and Rwanda. My hope is that Rwanda, a unique country, can continue to build a bright future, “said the diplomat.
Ambassador Hazza AlQahtani noted that his relationship, as the first UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, remains excellent with the country’s officials.
The delegate of the Islamic Community of Rwanda and Mufti of the country, Saleh, was delighted to share the values and ideas with the UAE Ambassador in this period of the end of Ramadhan.
“Ramadhan and fasting at this time means obedience to Allah. The lesson is that we learn patience, self-regulation, the formation of one’s personality in an environment of patience and humanity. We appreciate what we have and who we are. We learn to forgive and strengthen our unity. It is an opportunity to think about the poorest, the widows, the orphans, and to show charity to them. Ramadhan teaches us to control our behavior and not be obscene, “he said.
Mufti Saleh thanked the Government of Rwanda and President Kagame for transforming Rwanda.
For his part, Archbishop Antoine Kambanda of the Catholic Church stressed that we learn a lot about Islam and Ramadhan.
“The Christian tradition exhorts not to destroy oneself, and to maintain religious values, to open one’s heart and to share with others. It is a good way to promote the values of brotherhood and peace. We usually have that tradition to encourage, “he said.
For the delegate of the Protestant Council of Rwanda, Bishop Samuel Kayinamura, the opportunity was to thank Ambassador Hazza AlQahtani for the value he gives to the Family og believers.
“We are committed to building the Rwanda we want closely, in collaboration with our allies. It is encouraging to live like this hand in hand, in peace and to work for that goal, building together a society of peace and tolerance, “he said.
The Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Richard Sezibera, for his part as Guest of Honor, appreciated the values associated with Ramadhan, relating to harmony, resilience and peace.
“These are values that help rebuild a better world. Ramadhan takes place while Rwanda commemorates the 100 days of Tutsi during the Genocide. It is a reminder period where we live together as a family celebrating our differences, developing our unity in diversity and tolerance, “he said.
He added that Rwanda congratulated the UAE for proclaiming 2019 the Year of Tolerance among Peoples. “For us, the recent violence and terrorism in New Zealand and Sri Lanka is unacceptable. They urge us all to fight against extremism and religious intolerance, “he said. (End)