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Senegal: end of Ramadan, an opportunity chosen by imams to call for peace

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Korité in Dakar, Senegal, May 24, 2020. This holiday marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. (Illustration photo) © John Wessels/AFP

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2 min

In Senegal, some Muslims celebrated the end of Ramadan, Korité, Friday, April 21, but the majority celebrates it, this Saturday, April 22. The imams called on Senegalese for peace, a particularly strong message as the country experiences political tensions, less than a year before the next presidential election. RFI went to meet the Dakar people, at the end of the prayer.

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With our correspondent in Dakar, Juliette Dubois

Worshippers flocked to the Ngor Virage mosque on Saturday morning. The imam called for confraternity, help and peace. The tensions of recent months around the legal troubles of the opponent Ousmane Sonko and a possible third term - contested - of President Macky Sall are in everyone's mind.

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It's true that we live tensions, moments a little tense. That is why, today, we prayed a lot for the stability of the country, but above all, for the union towards the essential political actors, "says Samba Ndiaye, teacher.

Regaining the stability that is one of Senegal's trademarks... and, in the line of fire, there is of course February 2024 and the next presidential election, as Ousmane explains, in long brown boubou and sunglasses: "We have hopes because we will start an election year. So today is a big party. It is also a day of prayer, so we take the opportunity to pray that peace reigns in Senegal, that prosperity also is in this country, that the elections go well and that the best wins. »

For Mr. Keita, in his sixties, appeasement will also involve a control of hate speech. He wants "to stop worrying too much about other people's problems, hurting others for free, as we now see on social networks. Each goes their best to hurt the other, hiding behind a screen.

National unity will be achieved first in the families who will meet all over the country, this Saturday, for the celebration.

► Read also Senegal: "I remain open to dialogue," says Macky Sall in his traditional message to the Nation

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• Senegal
• Islam
• Religion