Abidjan, 23 May, 2020 / 4:11 am (ACI Africa).
Following the death of the President of the Higher Council of Imams, Mosques and Islamic Affairs (COSIM) in Ivory Coast, Catholic Bishops in the West African nation have, in a collective statement, expressed their condolences and spiritual closeness to the Muslim community, describing the late Ivorian religious leader as “a great figure of interreligious dialogue.”
“It is with deep sadness that the Episcopal Conference of Ivory Coast (CECCI) learned of the death of Cheick Aïma Boikary Fofana, President of the Superior Council of Imams, Mosques and Islamic Affairs (COSIM), a great figure of interreligious dialogue,” the Members of CECCI said in their May 18 statement.
Cheick Boikary died of COVID-19 related complications on Sunday May 17 in Abidjan at the age of 77, the leadership of COSIM reported.
“The Catholic Bishops' Conference offers its sincere condolences to the biological and religious families of the deceased, as well as to all those who knew and loved him,” the Catholic leaders said, expressing their assurance to the entire Muslim community of Ivory Coast of their “spiritual closeness in this painful circumstance.”
They implored “Allah the Most Merciful to cover him with His Mercy and to reserve for him a special place in Paradise.”