A regional workshop on living together brought together several religious, customary and ethnic associations, and social organizations from the southern region, at the initiative of the Federation of Religious Associations and Communities.

An initiative welcomed by the prefect of Ziguinchor who came to take part in this meeting on behalf of the regional administration and the State.

For Hamet Tidiane Thiaw, this workshop on living together is like a commitment to a culture of peace and a concrete defense of fraternity.

The initiative aims to promote social and civic values that are lacking in a society marked by new forms of rivalry and violence, according to the administrative authority.

 

It is simply about fostering a culture of peace in our region. It is also a form of defense and a concrete illustration of fraternity. It is about promoting certain social and civic values that are increasingly lacking, unfortunately, in our society. A society where we are witnessing new forms of rivalry and violence, both physical and verbal, in families and homes, in universities and schools, in stadiums, in the political arena, and within brotherhoods and religions.

"If we do not have the courage to tell each other the truth, the country does not need it. It is not truly in our traditions and it is not desirable in a society under construction," the prefect insisted.

 

Chérif Cheikh Boun Chamsidine Aïdara, president of the Federation of Associations

Religious leaders and communities in Casamance recalled the symbolism of this organization or structure. "The federation's main objective is to promote living together and shared values, in order to preserve social cohesion and national stability by advocating for peaceful coexistence, good neighborliness, mediation, reconciliation, and interfaith dialogue between Muslims and Christians. This model of coexistence, tolerance, solidarity, and sharing among the different sensitivities and communities of Casamance is a heritage that must be preserved and strengthened by religious leaders and Muslim, Christian, and traditional communities," he emphasized.

He also discussed the various activities carried out by the structure he leads: awareness campaigns and promotion of living together, religious and community meetings across the regions of Ziguinchor, Kolda, Sédhiou, Thiès, Saint-Louis and Dakar.

For Chérif Cheikh Boun Chamsidine Aïdara, living together means accepting one another and helping each other. It means encouraging people to be more tolerant, respectful, and supportive. It means promoting public norms and values through respect, forgiveness, sharing, dialogue, peace, justice, freedom, solidarity, tolerance, and love. It means simply listening to others.