Speaking at the end of a service at the Ebad Al Rahman mosque, in the Urban District of Zango 0, municipality of Viana, in Luanda, the person in charge considered that Islam may not be formally recognized in Angola, but there is practical recognition.
"Because just the fact that we see all these mosques, their attendance, is a sign that all of this, in practice, is recognized, the important thing is that, it means that citizens have that freedom to worship, attend mosques, study and not just, make your contribution to the development of morals and society in the country", he replied to Lusa.
The leader of CISLAMO, who was on his third day of visiting Angola, where he was last in 1986, highlighted the social development of the Portuguese-speaking country and also of Islam during this period, recalling that 37 years ago there was only one mosque in Angola unfinished.
"This is a sign of growth, because at the time, when I came, there was only one unfinished mosque, today thank God I have already attended so many mosques in the three days I have been here, so this is a sign of growth and it is a good sign", he highlighted.
The Islamic religion is still not recognized by the Angolan authorities, when the country has hundreds of mosques and thousands of believers, including Angolans and resident foreigners.
Former Minister of Culture Carolina Cerqueira announced, in January 2019, in parliament, during the discussion on the Law on Freedom of Religion, Belief and Worship, that the Government "follows the evolution of Islam in the country" and that " would soon take a position."
On Friday, Sheikh Aminuddin Muhammad highlighted that the lack of official recognition of Islam in Angola hinders the development of social actions in the country, "because there is no entity" with whom they can "deal officially".
"I hope that this phase is over so that we can take steps in this direction", he said, noting that the recognition of the authorities must contribute to the channeling, including, of aid and other social actions.
Without any contact with the official Angolan authorities during these days of visits and meetings with Muslims in Luanda, the Islamic leader also considered that the challenges of Islam are similar to universal challenges.
"The challenges are the same, Islam is a universal religion, it is a religion that defends peace, that fights for the moralization of society and you all also know what challenges we as a society face, the social problems", he maintained, citing immobility, drugs, alcohol, lack of respect and dishonesty, as social evils that also affect Muslims.
The president of CISLAMO led the service at that mosque, where dozens of faithful attended, counting on a warm reception and even moments of "selfies" and dialogues with young people at the end of the session.
