Mozambique: President of Islamic Community highlights Pope’s message of peace

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Mozambique: President of Islamic Community highlights Pope’s message of peace

3:20 CAT | 05 Sep 2019

Abdul Rashid, President of the Islamic Community of Mozambique (CIMO). [File photo: DW]

Abdul Rashid considers Pope Francis’ visit at this time important because a peace agreement was signed a short time ago and the Pope’s message of peace could reinforce stability in the country.

The Islamic Community of Mozambique (CIMO) is a religious association with a presence throughout Mozambique. It promotes supportive work in local communities through education, sports and solidarity programmes. DW Africa spoke to CIMO President Abdul Rashid about how Muslims see the Pope’s visit to Mozambique on September 4, 5 and 6.

DW Africa: How does the Muslim community see Pope Francis’s visit to Mozambique?

Abdul Rashid (AR): The Islamic Community of Mozambique, CIMO, does not answer this and other questions as a representative of Muslims in Mozambique, but as one Islamic institution in Mozambique among others. CIMO sees the Pope’s visit as normal, given that the Pope is the head of the Vatican State and it is also in this capacity that he makes this visit. The Pope is the greatest exponent of the Catholic Church and Christian believers are naturally flattered that, after 30 years, a Pope again visits the country and will be in close contact with his fellow believers in Mozambique. I cannot speak on behalf of all Muslims; I speak only on behalf of our institution.

DW Africa: What can this visit bring to the community?

AR: We here in Mozambique do not have interreligious problems. We have very good coexistence, and this [visit] only strengthens our relationship with the Catholic Church and so on. It is an added value to our unity and interreligious relationship. Mozambique has many needs and we cannot privilege some and leave others [aside]. Certainly the Pope’s visit will not, by itself, transform the way of life of Mozambicans – of course that will be very difficult. Much has been said about peace and reconciliation and finally peace has recently been achieved. The presidents of Renamo and of Mozambique have signed an agreement which will ensure not only the establishment of peace but also the mechanisms for its maintenance. Now we are at that time when the agreements were signed and we are at a time of peace. The Pope’s visit is very welcome, of course, and I am sure the Pope will make some recommendation to the Mozambicans in general, not only for Christians, but for all Mozambicans, about peace. He will give us his endorsement and his opinion for how this peace can be solidified, because the Catholic Church was also present at the first peace agreement in Rome. I hope the Pope will contribute to this.

DW Africa: Does the message and speech please Mozambican Muslims?

AR: We have nothing against the Pope’s message, we fully like it. As you know Islam is a religion that does not have a hierarchical structure like the Catholic Church. The Pope’s teachings are of only relative importance for Muslims, although discourses on peace in the world, solidarity with refugees, and subjugated peoples are appreciated. But, when it comes to peace, reconciliation, solidarity, brotherhood and welcoming refugees, these messages are deeply appreciated. This, in fact, encourages us a lot – we like to hear them, and they are always welcome to us because we have nothing against them. The Pope is a leader of one religion and, as Muslims, we have an obligation to respect the leaders and teachers of any other religion whatever it is. The advice of the Pope is very welcome because it leads us to the same goal, which is peace.

This will be the Pope’s third visit to the African continent. In 2015 he visited Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic. In 2017, Pope Francis visited Egypt, and in this, his third visit, he is visiting Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius.

Source: Deutsche Welle