: Islam Blooms in Wake of Rwandan Genocide

In the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda where Tutsis and moderate Hutus were massacred by Hutu extremists in a wildfire of racial hatred, Rwandan society has worked to prevent communal violence from happening again. During the violence, Rwanda’s Muslims (many of whom were intermarried Tutsis and Hutus) hid thousands of desparate Tutsis from rampaging mobs. At the same time, some Christian clergy joined in the killing spree and murdered many Tutsis within their own churches, claiming “God does not want you“. Eight years later, Islam in Rwanda is seeing a dramatic rise in popularity, seen by many Rwandans as promoting unity and racial tolerance. “In the Islamic faith, Hutu and Tutsi are the same,” said Yahya Kayiranga, a Tutsi who was taken in by a Muslim family during the genocide. “Islam teaches us about brotherhood.” The Muslim population of Rwanda has increased from 7 to 14 percent since the genocide.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.