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Eid al-Fitr 2025: Catholic Bishops in Niger Urge Christians, Muslims to “unite to overcome evil and hatred”

Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Niamey, 30 March, 2025 / 10:54 pm (ACI Africa).

Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, is a moment for Christians and Muslims to unite in overcoming evil and hatred, Catholic Bishops in Niger have said.

In a video recording posted on Facebook on March 30, the Catholic Bishops expressed prayerful “best wishes” to Muslims in the West African nation.

“It is a great joy for us Bishops of Niger to send you, in the name of all the Catholic communities of Niger, our best wishes at the end of the holy month of Ramadan,” the Catholic Bishops in Niger said in the message that Archbishop Djalwana Laurent Lompo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Niamey read out.

Referring to the March 21 tragic terrorist attack in the village of Tambita, where 44 people were killed in a mosque, and 13 others were injured, members of the Episcopal Conference of Burkina-Niger (CEBN) added referring to Nigerien Muslims, “We know the difficulties and sufferings you have endured and continue to endure during this privileged time.”

In their statement, CEBN members assured Nigerien Muslims affected by the terrorist attack of their prayers and extended their condolences to the families of the victims.

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“We once again seize this opportunity, after several days of prayer in our churches for our 44 fellow citizens of the village of Tambita, killed in a mosque on March 21, 2025, by terrorists, to offer our condolences to the families of the victims,” they said.

Niger’s Catholic Bishops added, “We also wish a prompt recovery to the 13 injured caused by these terrorist attacks. Human life is sacred, and peace is necessary to promote it.”

“This is why, as believers in the one God, Christians and Muslims, we must all unite to overcome evil and hatred in order to work together with our energies for peace, security, reconciliation, and social cohesion,” they said.

In their statement, CEBN members went on to reflect on the spiritual significance of the holy month, saying, “The month of Ramadan has been a time of intense effort for conversion through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. May the fruit of all these efforts awaken in us a conscience never to close our eyes or our hearts to the suffering of our brothers and sisters in areas of insecurity.”

They urge Nigeriens to learn the “language of love, social justice, mutual respect, and forgiveness.”

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“May the Almighty and Merciful God help us to learn the language of love, of social justice, of mutual respect, and forgiveness in our country, as it marches toward its sovereignty with the new authorities to whom the destiny of Niger is entrusted,” they said.

Meanwhile, in Mauritius’ Port Louis Catholic Diocese, Bishop Jean Michaël Durhône has expressed solidarity with Muslims marking the end of Ramadan, wishing them a blessed and serene Eid Ul-Fitr.

“The Eid Ul-Fitr festival marks the culmination of a month of fasting, prayer, and good deeds, all of which reflect your unwavering faith and devotion to God, the Almighty and Merciful,” Bishop Durhône says in a statement issued March 30.

He adds that throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims “have observed the fast, intensified your prayers and performed good deeds, thus expressing your faith and faithfulness to God, Almighty and Merciful.”

“In His great mercy, God calls us, in turn, to show compassion and benevolence towards others, especially the most vulnerable, the destitute and those who suffer. May His teachings guide us along the path of kindness and solidarity, so that together we can build a more fraternal and united world,” the Catholic Bishop says.

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He continues, “It is in this spirit that I hope we in Mauritius can develop dialogue between religions, recognize the links that unite us and, through our conviviality, bear witness to the world that religions are sources of peace and brotherhood.”

“Rest assured, dear brothers and sisters, of our best wishes on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr. I wish you a happy and peaceful Eid Ul Fitr,” Bishop Durhône says in his message issued March 30.

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.