During the interactive session held to mark the end of Ramadan, Kagame addressed on social cohesion urging that the Muslim community to handle internal disagreements internally and peacefully to avoid destabilising the broader Rwandan family.

“Even in your Muslim community, if those things [disagreement] happen, you should know how to sit down and solve them. Then you can have peace and give peace to others and the country,” he said.

The President pledged also to personally oversee the resolution of delayed government promises, including land exchanges and facility construction support dating back to 2011.

He admitted that certain government commitments had been neglected by officials and promised immediate action.

“I take that as a debt that must be paid,” the President said. “There are things promised as far back as 2011; they have been delayed, but they will not be forgotten. They will be solved very soon.”

He specifically mentioned a plot of land meant for exchange and support for building facilities, assuring the community that these issues would be settled before the end of the year.

“I will not fail to come through,” he added, citing a Kinyarwanda proverb: “Blame me for being late, but not for never coming.”

Kagame told the gathering that the government’s efforts to regulate religious organisations are not intended to persecute faith, but to ensure order and protect citizens from being exploited by those using religion for personal gain.

“Our job, our politics, and our thinking is simply to put things in order as they should be, without disturbing anyone’s peace at all,” President Kagame said, addressing concerns regarding the regulation of faith-based organizations.

The President explained that while the history of the Muslim community in Rwanda was once marked by persecution and a loss of peace, the current leadership is focused on a path of change where every Rwandan has a role to play in development.

He noted that for the country to continue its progress, all citizens must participate actively and ensure that the previous history of exclusion remains in the past.

On the issue of security within religious institutions, the President was firm that the government would not tolerate roadblocks where individuals use religion to rob others or enrich themselves under the guise of offerings.

“When you put things in order, you are saying that any religion exists to make people better, to teach, to reach the citizens, and to help them,” he said.

He praised the Muslim community for their contributions to education and health, stating that this is the proper work of a religious group.

The President reaffirmed that the foundation of Rwanda’s development is built on security and understanding, noting that the leadership has a duty to support any group that is working toward the development of Rwandans.