The First Lady, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, offered food donations worth 130 million CFA francs to the Muslim community, this Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
The donation ceremony which took place at the headquarters of the Children Of Africa Foundation in Cocody, witnessed the presence of political and administrative figures, as well as eminent Muslim religious leaders. The First Lady was represented at the ceremony by Nadine Sangaré, Director of the Children Of Africa Foundation.
The donations, comprising 3,000 bags of rice, 3,000 cartons of milk, 3,000 bags of pasta, 2,000 bags of sugar, 1,500 cartons of oil and 500 cartons of tomato paste, were given to mosques and Muslim associations. This major contribution by the wife of the Head of State to the Muslim community will enable Muslim middle class families to spend the month of Ramadan in peace. This outpouring of solidarity from the wife of the Head of State is particularly significant during this holy month, when solidarity, sharing and generosity are central to Islamic precepts. By providing essential foodstuffs, the First Lady supports families during fasting period, and helps to lighten the burden of the neediest families during this period of spiritual devotion.
Mrs Nadine Sangaré, Director of the Children Of Africa Foundation and representative of Mrs Dominique Ouattara, delivered a message of peace and solidarity from the wife of the Head of State to the Muslim community. Mrs Nadine Sangaré invited Muslim religious guides to pray during the month of Ramada for the Presidential couple, so that Allah may support them in their respective missions, and also for the consolidation of peace in Côte d'Ivoire. "The month of Ramadan is an opportunity for you to once again bring the message of peace and unity to our entire community. Without peace, nothing is possible. No development project, no well-being is possible. I therefore humbly ask you to pray for our President Alassane Ouattara and his wife, so that Allah grant them health and strength to carry out their mission, for a united, supportive and prosperous Côte d'Ivoire", she said.
Mrs Myss Belmonde Dogo, Minister for National Cohesion, Solidarity and the Fight against Poverty, thanked Mrs Dominique Ouattara for her generosity towards the poor. For her, Mrs Dominique Ouattara's generosity has no equal. She recalled the food donation she made just a week ago to the Christian community, as well as the 9th gala dinner of the Children Of Africa Foundation to raise funds for the construction of a new wing at the Mother and Child Hospital in Bingerville to treat children with heart disease.
Mr. Bako Fructueux, Director of Cabinet for the Minister of the Interior and Security, also recalled Mrs Dominique Ouattara's sense of solidarity. He called on Ivorians to show solidarity with one another, in line with the President's desire for a more united country. Bako Fructueux also called on Muslims to consolidate peace in Côte d'Ivoire.
Imam Soumahoro Moustapha, Cabinet Director representing Cheick Aïma Ousmane Diakité, President of the Higher Council of Imams of Côte d'Ivoire, also thanked the generous donor. He also emphasized that COSIM was keen to transfer almost all its donations to the people who had been evicted. Imam Soumahoro Moustapha also revealed that Cheick Aïma Ousmane Diakité, President of COSIM, had also travelled to the evicted sites to break the fast with the Muslim faithful of these districts.
At this time of sharing and reflection, the First Lady's action reminds us all of the importance of solidarity and compassion towards the most vulnerable in society. Her commitment to the well-being of all citizens, whatever their religion, shows her exemplary leadership and dedication to promoting harmony and social inclusion in Côte d'Ivoire.
