President Kiir Assures Support For Muslim Community in South Sudan

President Salva Kiir has assured the entire Muslim community in South Sudan of respecting their rights and reiterated his commitment to addressing the challenges facing religious communities in the new State.

Kiir spoke in an evening dinner organized for the Muslim community on Saturday at State House in Juba. Nearly one thousand Muslims including senior government officials convened to mark the 20th day of fasting for a breakfast.

President Kiir called for unity among the South Sudanese Muslims and also with all other religions, saying there is no difference between them and Christians.

“Here in South Sudan there is no difference between Christians and Muslims. In our new nation we need unity and development; we have not left you (Muslims) out,” H.E Kiir said.

While delivering his short keynote speech during the function, the Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, (ECS) Daniel Deng Bul stressed the need to establish a national religion council that governs all religions in the State.

The head of the Muslim Council in South Sudan, Al Tahir Bio Ajang also called on the President’s blessings for the set up of a national religion council and called on all Muslims to rally behind the President in his efforts to develop and build the country.

The President assured the Muslim faithful of his desire to get rid of discrimination. He reminded them that South Sudan fought Khartoum for decades in order to kill tribalism and other sorts of inhumanity.

“Discrimination, marginalization and many things happened during the war, but it will not happen again in the new South Sudan, whether you are red, white or black, this is our country, you cannot discriminate me because of my colour. Any South Sudanese has the right to stay here.”

President Kiir gave an ok for the establishment of a South Sudan religion council to assist in the overall duty of handling religious issues in the country. “I will give you my blessings for the establishment of the South Sudan Religion Council,” Kiir reiterated.