Suspension of Tarawih Prayers in Eastern DR Congo Due to Insecurity

Editorial : Omar Kadir, Tchad

The Supreme Council of Muslims in the Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to suspend Tarawih prayers in cities in the eastern part of the country controlled by the rebel group M23, supported by Rwanda. Sheikh Yassine Kabongo, head of the Islamic Council branch in Bukavu, announced that religious scholars issued a fatwa prohibiting the Tarawih prayer in mosques due to the worsening security situation that prevents citizens from going out at night. The Council has urged Muslims living near mosques to combine the Maghrib and Isha prayers and return to their homes before nightfall, while advising others to pray in their homes to avoid potential risks.

As Ramadan coincides with the ongoing war in eastern Congo between government forces and rebels, Muslims in the region are struggling to perform their usual religious rituals. They suffer from the deteriorating security situation, which makes it difficult to access markets to meet their basic needs due to ongoing looting and theft. Additionally, banks and markets remain closed, further complicating daily life in these areas. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in the region continues to worsen, and relief efforts are hindered by the continued fighting.