Sheikh Dr Muhammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars, is in Kigali for a three-day official visit coinciding with the start of Ramadan.
The MWL, founded in 1962 in Makkah, promotes moderate Islam, interfaith dialogue, and peace worldwide. Dr Al-Issa’s visit aims to strengthen ties between the organisation and Rwanda, focusing on education, social development, and peaceful coexistence.
The visit began Wednesday evening at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) after Iftar, where Dr Al-Issa presided over a ceremony honouring young memorizers of the Holy Qur’an and addressed over 300 participants, including 160 Qur’an teachers.
During his stay, Dr Al-Issa will meet President Paul Kagame and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, paying tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and reinforcing the MWL’s commitment to “Never Again.”
Two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are set to be signed: one with the Rwandan government on social development and intellectual exchange, and another with the Rwanda Muslim Community to strengthen local religious leadership.
Dr Al-Issa also participated in a symposium on “Peaceful Coexistence and the Rwandan Experience,” praising Rwanda’s post-conflict reconciliation as a “beacon of hope.” The visit concludes on Friday with a special Jumu’ah sermon at Al-Fath Onatracom Mosque in Biryogo, expected to draw thousands of worshippers.
The MWL operates globally to unify scholarly views, support education, provide humanitarian aid, and promote moderate Islamic principles while combating extremism.
