Underneath the morning sun, hundreds of Muslim worshippers gathered in Goma this Sunday to hold an even time Eid al-Fitr, marking the finish of the holy month of Ramadan. For the Muslims in this metropolis, which is right now under the occupation of the M23 insurrection community, the day holds profound significance. Beyond the mature non secular rituals, it serves as a moment of unity, hope, and a heartfelt plea for peace.
Yasin Hamad, a local worshipper, expressed the collective sentiment, saying, “We want to be united, all of us. We pray that God helps us achieve peace. That there will be no more divisions among Muslims; we ask God to help us with that.”
As thousands of men, females, and adolescents gathered to hope, their hearts were stuffed with spirituality and a deep sense of hope for a higher future. Their voices rose collectively in prayer, calling for peace and safety to return to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Nadia Moustapha, one more worshipper, shared her perception in the vitality of their prayers, stating, “We have faith that, given the sacred month we have just completed today, our prayers will be heard before God and we will live in peace. We want to live in peace like before.”
Imams, too, inclined the occasion to remind worshippers of the significance of team spirit and prayer in these turbulent instances. Shieh Djaffar Al Katanty, an imam, emphasised the unity demonstrated during the prayer, saying, “Here, we prayed together, side by side, without considering our linguistic, physical, cultural, or ethnic differences. And we want this message to serve as a lesson for the leaders of the DRC, the conflict protagonists, including the DRC government and the AFC/M23.”
No topic the hardships, Goma’s Muslim community gathered with devotion and pleasure, reinforcing the significance of unity in the face of adversity. Their collective prayers echoed now not comely for peace, nonetheless for a restoration of harmony across the characteristic, and a return to normality for all.
