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Religious leaders in Ivory Coast have reaffirmed their commitment to work together in order to prevent conflicts in the Western African nation
By Guy Aimé Eblotié | Ivory Coast
The leaders of the Christian and Muslim communities in Côte d'Ivoire have pledged to strengthen an alliance aimed at promoting peace and preventing conflicts in the West African country.
Imam Aïma Ousmane Diakité – president of the Higher Council of Imams, Mosques and Islamic Affairs (COSIM) – made a special visit last Wednesday to Archbishop Ignace Bessi – president of the Catholic Episcopal Conference of Côte d'Ivoire (CECCI).
The Muslim leader said it was "to pay a visit of friendship, thanks and recognition" – as recommended by the Quran – to the CECCI president and the entire Catholic community.
"At the death of my predecessor, Sheikh Mamadou Traoré, the Catholic Church sent us very powerful messages and was present at the funeral," Ousmane Diakité said.
"Also, when I was designated to be the guide of the Muslim community of Côte d'Ivoire, it was the same thing. The Church sent us very strong and very kind messages," the imam recalled.
Alliance of Religions for Peace
The Muslim leader was accompanied to the episcopal conference headquarters by a large delegation.
"It is an alliance that already exists in practice, which worked during the socio-political crisis that we recently experienced, and which has achieved results," said Sheikh Diakité.
But he said he wants to go a step further and formalize this alliance, thus giving it the means to function normally.
The goal is to give Côte d'Ivoire's various religious leaders a framework for reflection in order to help prevent possible crises, strengthen peaceful cohabitation among the population, and reinforce fruitful dialogue between religions.
In this Western African nation of more than 26.4 million people, some 44% of the population is Christian and 37.2% is Muslim. The rest of the Ivorians belong to traditional religions or no faith at all.
"It is our responsibility to ensure that as Christian and Muslim religious leaders we can set a good example so that our followers can understand that religion is a matter of intimate conviction," the imam said.
"Make our actions permanent"
Archbishop Bessi said he supported the plan, noting there's a need "for a certain permanence" of common activities in favor of peace, social cohesion and interreligious dialogue.
"It is also with joy that the Episcopal Conference of the Côte d'Ivoire welcomes this effort to keep the alliance alive so that together, Muslims and Christians can work to contribute to the pacification of our country," the archbishop emphasized.
He said that because of their "relationship with the Lord, the Creator", religious leaders have "a special mission in the service to the Republic".
Archbishop Bessi expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Diakité for his visit, saying it is necessary "that the Muslim and Christian communities know that we (religious leaders) are together for the good of our faith and our Republic".
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