Kigali — Muslim leaders in the country have asked the government to respond to a request they made five years ago to be allowed to preach in prisons.The call was made Wednesday 27, by Yussuf Gatikalisi, the Assistant Executive of AMUR , during a recent consultative meeting with the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) held at Novotel Hotel.

Muslim faithfuls at the conference organized by NURC on Wednesday 26. They re-echoed their demand to preach Quranic teachings in prisons as part of their contribution to the reconciliation drive in the country. (Photo/ G. Barya)

"About five years ago, we submitted our request to the prisons department to allow us to preach to prisoners, when the Justice ministry still oversaw the department. But until today nobody has answered our request," said Gatikalisi.

He said like other religious denominations, Muslims were keen on unity and reconciliation in Rwanda and wanted to contribute through, among other things, preaching the word of Allah to the inmates.

"AMUR has the same objectives of preaching unity and reconciliation and that is why we have been invited by NURC," Gatikalisi noted. The Muslims observed that they deserve equal access to preach in prisons like other religions.

NURC President Jean Baptist Habyarimana promised to help follow up the issue. "I believe your concern is worthwhile considering that NURC has the objective of involving religions in the reconciliation process," he noted.

The one-day conference brought together the religious, women and youth leaders from around the country.