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In a historic first-time event, the President of Madagascar hosted a gathering on Eid-ul-Fitr with Muslim leaders and foreign dignitaries from 12 countries in Madagascar.
The Eid Event
The Eid event, hosted by President Andry Rajoelina, was attended by nearly 180 high-ranking officials including prominent Malagasy figures like the Minister of Higher Education, Deputies, Senators, High Priests of the Christian community, foreign diplomats, and ambassadors from around 12 countries like France, Morocco, Algeria, Comoros, etc., and the clerics of the Khoja, Ahl Sunnah, and other Muslim communities. Among the Khojas who attended the event were the President of CROI Jaamat, our Regional President and the Regional Councilor.
The programs and line-ups for the event included speeches from the Malagasy High Clergy of Muslims, followed by the ambassador of Comoros and the High Priest of the Christians who spoke about Islam and praised the values it promotes such as Peace, Brotherhood, and Charity.
President Andry also spoke a few words towards the end of the program, highlighting the Freedom to practice Religion in Madagascar and that, eventually, we all worship the same God. He emphasized that he was glad to meet the Muslim community and wished all Muslims worldwide, especially in Madagascar, a Happy Eid and prayed that God accepts our fasts.
The President of CROI Jamaat, Shaykh Haniphe, gifted President Andry a Malagasy translation of the Holy Qur’an and mentioned that this is the book of Allah (swt), who says in Surah Maryam that he has made Lady Mary the chief of all ladies. The Qur’an also mentions a universal miracle as we have never seen a newborn speak from the cradle like Hazrat Isa (Jesus Christ) did, when he declared that He was a servant of Allah (Abdullah) and Allah (swt) has sent him as a mercy to the people, and He is a Prophet of Allah (swt). President Andry greatly appreciated the gift and commented that it was an honour for him to receive a copy of the Holy Qur’an, and this was a moment of successful Tableegh for the Muslims.
The event concluded with the Maghrib prayers and a gala dinner with the President and all dignitaries. It received widespread media attention and coverage in numerous news channels, newspapers and social media as it was the first-ever Government hosted Muslim event in the history of the country.
An event celebrating one of the important occasions of the Muslims in a majorly Christian-dominated society is a significant feat for the entire Muslim community in Madagascar. The Muslim community prays and hopes that this event will be an annual event from henceforth, as it serves not only as an honour but as a great source of Tablgeeh!
