To the thread are you muslim and are there muslims in rwanda (if so majority? )
No. I don't subscribe to any religion. There are muslims in Rwanda. About 5%. The most peaceful people and the only religious group which actually saved Tutsis in the genocide so I have a lot of respect for them.
Is it true the government prohibits people from identifying as ethnic Tutsis & Huttus?
Yes. It is illegal to have such conversations in public. Of course people talk about it in their homes; I mean, it takes time for behavioural changes to stick. But as long as it's not part of any mainstream conversation, it will eventually die out. A fire only burns if you feed it. And, making it illegal deters people from discriminating against others based on ethnicity.
Love the "I am Rwandan" spirit. If only Somalis were as nationalistic as you.
How are the ethnic tensions in Rwanda? How were you guys able to, as you mention, "unprogram" yourselves from all the ethnic discrimination and hatred?
Thank you. My hope is that Somalis will get there too.
The genocide is still fresh in a lot of people's minds so even if it is illegal, there is still a lot of trauma, hurt, mistrust and all the things that come with such an event. But, the goverment has been very very proactive about addressing all of these things:
Immediately after the genocide, it created a National Unity and Reconciliation Commission. At the time, I think most of our aid money went to that. They were in charge of everything: justice for survivors, dialogue, wellbeing of orphans...
Under the NURC, many programs aimed at talking about things have been put in place. Among them, one called Ndi Umunyarwanda, meaning: I am a Rwandan. Every community comes together to talk about how they feel. Their anger, etc. And then the perpetrators have to seek forgiveness.
Generally, the emphasis is on engaging people but also making sure that justice was served in a fair way (in as much as this could be done). And also making it illegal to deny genocide and to identify on ethnic lines.
Young people are taught the dangers of this kind of thinking in primary schools now. Our curriculum has it as part of civic education.
Secondary school students, before joining university have to attend civic duty camps, where they are instructed in history, nationalism, basic military skills..to instill in them pride in their country and a sense of duty to the country first.
And then community work is required of every able bodies citizen once a month. The main purpose is to keep our neighbourhoods clean and help in fixing small issues but also for people to maintain bonds with their neighbours and continue to live and work together in harmony.
There are so many things I have left out, but essentially it comes down to have a plan that involves the participation of your people and making sure they participate either by asking nicely and if that fails, make them. Lol. Sorry, I am laughing but sometimes humans need a kick up the butt to get moving.