Muslims in Yaoundé respond to Biya's address to the nation

Muslims in Yaoundé came together on Sunday to render special prayers for the peace and stability in Cameroon.

The assessment of the actions of the 'Muslim compatriots' in the war against Boko Haram, during his December 31, 2014 message,by President Biya has moved them greatly. Indeed, by spontaneous but strong mobilization, Muslim dignitaries, imams and preachers from different mosques in Yaoundé, gathered at the central mosque No. 1 of the city for a special prayer.

This mobilization was carried out in the presence of the sub-prefect of the District of Yaoundé 2, Ousman Yampen, and under the coordination of the imam of the central mosque, El Hadj Ibrahim Moussa. "By this address, the head of State", according to Cheick Hamadou Banoufé, spokesman of the National Commission of the Lunar Crescent, "honored the community by recognising them".

Through the full reading of the Holy Quran, invocations spoken by imams from different mosques, they implored Allah for peace and national harmony, at the same time, they reaffirmed their commitment to the unifying principle of secularism as a guarantor of freedom of belief and worship and pillar of communal living.

Moreover, the Muslim faithful of Yaoundé, in a statement addressed to the head of State, highlighted the brotherhood, tolerance, justice, dignity and peace in Cameroon.

As such, they strongly condemned any extremist ideology and expressed their dissociation from "any irresponsible, inhumane, illegal and UN-Islamic actions", regardless of the identity of its actors.

According to El Hadj Ali Mefire Sine, imam of the central mosque N ° 2 of Yaoundé, it is imperative to always denounce acts of Boko Haram that have nothing to do with Islam, because the defence of the integrity of Cameroon is not only a Republican requirement but also a duty in Islam.

The sub-prefect, Ousmanou Yampe welcomed the initiative and promised to communicate the declaration of the Muslim community in Yaoundé addressed to the head of State with due diligence.