** Kenge and the Tabaski festival: an act of solidarity and sharing in the Muslim community Ahmadiyya **
On June 07, 2025, the Muslim community Ahmadiyya of Kenge, province of Kwango, marked the celebration of the Festival of Sacrifice, or Tabaski, by an initiative which deserves special attention. By associating with the NGO “Humanity First Germany”, this community has distributed animal meat slaughtered to faithful and, in a particularly significant way, to prisoners from the central prison in Kenge. This act of sharing is indicative of deep values present within the framework of Muslim celebrations and underlines the importance of social solidarity.
The Tabaski, which commemorates Ibrahim’s obedience to the divine test, has a strong symbolic significance. It not only embodies a religious act, but also a moment of reflection on the nature of faith, devotion and sharing. Issa MUSEDJU, provincial missionary of the Ahmadiyya community of Kwango, marked the importance of adopting an aligned behavior with that of Ibrahim and recalled the need to go beyond the rites. Indeed, according to him, it is not the blood or the flesh that please God, but rather the righteousness and the fear of God.
This aspect of the party raises essential questions concerning the way in which religion can be a tool for social cohesion. The distribution of meat to detainees, often marginalized and forgotten, testifies to an ethical approach aimed at including all the strata of society, including those which are in a vulnerability. This meets a fundamental need for humanity, especially in a context where relations between communities and institutions can sometimes be tense.
However, this act cannot hide the challenges faced by the Ahmadiyya community, often stigmatized in various contexts because of its minority position within Islam. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the relationship with different religious sensitivities can be complex and, therefore, initiatives aimed at promoting harmony can appear as daring but necessary gestures. How can these acts also help to appease intercommunity tensions?
The notion of religious solidarity in this act also raises questions about the perception of aid and sharing in other religious groups. The initiative of the Ahmadiyya community could serve as a model for other religious organizations, by encouraging them to reconsider their approach to charity and mutual support, regardless of beliefs. How could we envisage interreligious collaboration around such actions?
From a practical point of view, it is also appropriate to ask the question of the logistical organization required by such an event. Ensuring the safety of distributed products, ensuring their compliance with standards are concerned with good governance and attention to health aspects. Such considerations are crucial to strengthen confidence between the different actors involved.
In conclusion, this celebration of Tabaski by the Ahmadiyya community of Kenge, far beyond ritualized acts, appears as an opportunity for commitment and dialogue between communities. It invites us to reflect on the values of sharing, solidarity and mutual respect, which should transcend the differences within Congolese society. The way towards a real peaceful cohabitation seems to be traced through initiatives like this, which aspire to a full and whole recognition of humanity in each of us. Thus, rather than trying to divide, these manifestations of human connection could encourage a path to unity and collective empathy.