Senegalese Muslims say Islam is a tolerant religion

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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Dakar - October 5, 2007 1. Wide of exterior of Grand Mosque in Dakar 2. Various of people sitting in mosque 3. Wide of imam Papa Moussa Samb giving the Friday prayer speech sermon 4. Wide of people sitting inside mosque 5. SOUNDBITE: (Wolof) Papa Moussa Samb, Imam "A muslim can bring up a non muslim and a non muslim can bring up a muslim, and we do almost everything together. For example during the catholic fasting muslims and catholics celebrate Easter together. Catholics share their food with muslims and the muslims do the same thing, because Islam is a tolerant religion." 6. Wide of exterior of Cheikh Anta Diop University 7. Various of street 8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr. Abdou Ngom, Associate Professor, University of Cheikh Anta Diop "When it comes to religious beliefs, Senegalese are more understanding, more tolerant, more open. Simply because, for them what is important for them is to preserve the unity of the family, the unity of the community, the harmony of the relationship between of all the members of the group, because this is what is really important when you consider Senegalese society." 9. Wide of exterior of Dakar Cathedral 10. SOUNDBITE: (French) Theodore Adrian Sarr, Catholic Archbishop of Senegal "As other people may have told you before me, one must be very pleased about the excellent relationship between the different religious faiths. Mainly between Christians and Muslims, who are the greater number." 11. Various of exterior of building 12. Mid of Moustapha Ba (muslim) and his wife Herriette Nango (catholic) 13. SOUNDBITE: (French) Moustapha Ba, Practising muslim who is married to catholic "There is a mutual respect, as far as the religion is concerned. Most of our time our debate is around God, who is our creator, but not really around the religion, there is no restraint, I respect her religion and she respects mine. For example, when I'm away for work, she gets the children ready, and finds someone to take them to the mosque." 14. Close of child, called Mohamed Alfred 15. Various of Dakar streets 16. Exterior of shop owned by a Moroccan man, Ahmed Lahlou 17. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmed Lahlou, shop owner "No difference between Islam in Morocco and Senegal, Islam is the same praise to Allah, because the Senegalese follow the Islamic way, united way according to the Sunna." 18. Wide of street 19. SOUNDBITE: (French) Professor Abdul Aziz Kebe, faculty of Islamic Studies, University of Cheikh Anta Diop "As far as the violence phenomena is concerned, there are historic facts that make people think that Islam is a religion that must be spread through violence. We talked about those who taught us Jihad al Nafsi, which means jihad within your self, to improve yourself. The fact to understand is that the main fight, is the fight against our own feelings. The fight for the recognition of others as well. Today we also have the spirit of Medina, the Prophet has taught us how to live together with Jews, he has also taught that war should be a war of defence, but not a war of aggression." 20. Close of Quran (Koran) 21. Various of street scene 22. Wide of Mosque de Divinity in Dakar LEAD IN: Muslims in Senegal are preparing to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, with the feast of Eid al-Fitr. Here Muslims and Christians live side by side and advocate tolerance between different religions and cultures. STORYLINE: As Eid approaches Muslims attend prayers at Dakar's Grand Mosque. Senegal's population is 95 per cent Muslim, while the rest are Catholics and traditional indigenous religions. The country prides itself on tolerance between its different religious and ethnic groups. Papa Moussa Samb is the Imam at Dakar's Grand Mosque. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/04208dc52a4c23a5b235f294694bfc2e Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork