Ambodivona, April 4, 2024. In the Muslim religion, Iftar constitutes the stage of breaking the fast during Ramadan. But it also marks a great moment of Fraternity, Solidarity and Sharing between and for all, whatever the religious confession. To mark this Iftar (meal which is taken every evening by Muslims at sunset during the fast of the month of Ramadan), the President of the Republic, Andry Rajoelina, responded to the invitation of the Association of Muslims of Madagascar .
For the President of this association, Sheikh Abdoul Hady, it is the first time in its history that a Malagasy head of state is present and takes part orally in this great moment of the Brotherhood of Muslim Believers. Also present were senior government officials and officials, diplomats and heads of Christian churches in Madagascar.
On this Friday, April 4, preceding the end of Ramadan for the year 2024, President Andry Rajoelina delivered a brief speech, the main points of which are:
Ladies and gentlemen Parliamentarians,
Ladies and gentlemen members of the government,
Ladies and gentlemen members of the diplomatic corps,
Monsignor the Apostolic Nuncio,
Dear Presidents of the Muslim associations of Madagascar,
Mr President of the Muslims of Madagascar,
Dear Father Pedro,
To all Muslims across the country.
My dear friends.
It is a great pleasure to be among you today to celebrate together this Ifrat of fraternity, as part of the holy month of Ramadan. In order to share with you this fast-breaking meal. As we say in Malagasy “one life one provision”. It is also said that the closest “Sharing the raw and the cooked”.
I am here to unite, as was said earlier, the Malagasy people. Unite them whether they are Christians or Muslims. What brings us together here is Madagascar, our country. And we ask Allah and God to bless our country. And as was said earlier, Faith is very important in life. Faith is our pillar. There are people alive but who are dead because they do not have Faith.
And we can differentiate those who have Faith from those who do not. With Faith, even in the darkness we see the light; in difficulties we see the solution. Even the sick, as was said earlier, can be cured of cancer with Faith.
Faith guides our path and our actions. My presence among you testifies to my solidarity with the entire Muslim community during this time of celebration. Because I know that Ramadan represents a time to turn to Allah,/towards God, opening hearts to Purification and Forgiveness. For a whole month you fasted from sunrise to sunset.
You know, love of one’s neighbor is common to all religions. And the strong message from all those who spoke earlier is Solidarity. Here I read: “ Certainly, ce Quran guides to whatil already from straighteret he announces to believers who do good works that they will have a great reward, » (Surah 17:9). This is why we are here: we must love our neighbor. Let everyone help their neighbor. That he who has to drink gives something to drink; let he who has food share. We share the same values of Mutual Aid, Solidarity, Empathy towards others, in particular towards the vulnerable. This value resonates deeply in our hearts. And it is this Fraternity that brings us together, here, this evening.
Moreover, it is this Love of the Homeland that also motivates me daily, with the support of all of you, to work towards the development long awaited by the Malagasy population. The Muslim community is active and present in Malagasy society. Today the community numbers between 10-13% of the population. And this is how I thank you for all the actions undertaken by the community, in the field of Health and Education and especially in Social Actions. We must live in harmony.
This is why I would like you all to feel like brothers here in Madagascar. It is this feeling and this desire to live together which brings about the Harmony of the Union. As President of the Republic, I have continued to deploy all means in this direction.
You noticed that before my first mandate, each month there have been kidnappings of Indo-Pakistanis, particularly Muslims, in Madagascar. We have done everything we can to eradicate this scourge and I dare say that today all this is behind us. The families were left for London or Mauritius, only the men remained.
Today, I am delighted that all the families of the Muslim Community, who are Malagasy to me, have returned to the country. Currently you live in Peace and Serenity. Thus, my presence here testifies to my commitment to supporting and accompanying your actions, but also everything you undertake in Madagascar.
If there is one wish to be made now, it is that this evening be filled with joy, blessing for all, that each and every one of us be blessed; that you have Health, Serenity.
And already I wish all Muslims to celebrate with joy the Ed. May the Mercy of Allah/God accompany you./.
Retranscription: Jeannot Ramambazafy – Photos: Andry Rakotonirainy, Mialy Audrey
