The speech given by President Félix Tshisekedi during the celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kébir in Kinshasa on June 16, 2024 sounded like a vibrant call for unity and peace within the Muslim community of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In these times when divisions and fratricidal conflicts seem to threaten social cohesion, the words of the Head of State resonate as a necessary reminder of the importance of solidarity and mutual respect within society.
By emphasizing that members of the Muslim community are an integral part of the national community, Félix Tshisekedi highlighted the importance of cultivating unity to promote the development of all. The call to put an end to divisions and fratricidal conflicts is a call for individual and collective responsibility, inviting everyone to work for a harmonious and peaceful living together.
Eid-el-Kebir, a major celebration of Islam, recalls the story of Abraham and his act of obedience to God. This thousand-year-old story carries values of self-sacrifice, faith and submission to divine will, values that resonate across ages and cultures. By inviting the Muslim faithful to be inspired by this act of faith, President Tshisekedi underlines the importance of unity and solidarity as the foundations of a just and harmonious society.
The presence of political figures such as Vital Kamerhe and Ève Bazaiba at this event testifies to the importance given by the authorities to the promotion of interreligious dialogue and the construction of a pluralist and inclusive society. Indeed, religious and cultural diversity is a wealth that deserves to be celebrated and valued, and not a source of division and conflict.
In conclusion, the words of President Félix Tshisekedi during the celebration of Eid-el-Kébir call for unity, peace and mutual respect within the Muslim community and Congolese society as a whole. Faced with the challenges of diversity and peaceful coexistence, it is up to everyone to demonstrate tolerance, open-mindedness and solidarity to build a common future based on mutual understanding and dialogue.