(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - ABNA has conducted an interview with "Isa Imbaki", the member of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) World Assembly, who is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He graduated from Al-Mustafa International University in Qom, and now, beside his activity in both missionary and teaching, he is also active as a deputy culture of Al-Mustafa International University in Congo. In addition, recently he was involved in the process of establishing the institution of "Islamic Society of Ahlul Bayt (a.s)" in Congo, and he was elected as the chief of the institution.
The following is a transcript of the interview:
ABNA: Please tell us, what was your religion before Islam and how did you find your way to become a Shia Muslim?
ISA: Well, I was Christian. Then I got familiar with Sunni Islam and converted to it, but it didn’t take long time. Then, by reading the book of "Then I was Guided" by "Dr. Muhammad al-Tijani" I become familiar with Ahlul Bayt (a.s) school of thought and influenced by them especially by the Innocence of Lady Zahra (s.a). When I read the book this question popped in my head how is it could be possible for the people who claimed to be the real follower of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.w) and done what they must not to his lovely daughter. So, in this way I became familiar with Ahlul Bayt (a.s) school of thought and eventually choose Shia as my religion.
ABNA: Do you have written anything on religious issues?
Isa: Yes, I am writing in three books in French about the Holly Quran, Imam Mahdi (a.s) and Jurisprudence. I also have translated many books to French and Lingala (Bantu language spoken in the Republic of Congo).
ABNA: How many of Congo's population are Shia?
Isa: Congo's population is around 80 million. Shia with about 2.5 million people, representing 2.5 percent of the total population and mainly reside in the capital, Kinshasa.
ABNA: How is the Shia situation in Congo?
Isa: In fact, Ahlul Bayt (a.s) school of thought was propagated by a Pakistani leader of “Masomin” mosque in 1980 for the first time in my country. After that "Hasan Mohajer" who was Iranian established a Shia center in Congo which I was one of the first who studied there. On the one hand, through the activities of this institution, Sunnis Muslims became familiar with the Shia. On the other hand, Iranian embassy in Congo gave the Muslims lots of books about Ahlul Bayt (a.s) school of thought in French, so they were able to know Shia better and choose it as their faith. So, I think Shia in Congo is in the good situation now; we have five clerics in Kinshasa and thirteen who are studding in Qom. Those who have studied in this institution established deferent institutions in Congo which are really useful in propagating of Shia culture. Furthermore, Shia have entered to the politics, as we had 10 Shia candidates in the latest election in Kinshasa.
ABNA: Are the Wahhabis active in Congo?
Isa: Unfortunately yes, Wahhabis are so active in Congo. For example, when we opened a Shia university in Congo, they imitated us and are going to establish several universities. For now they have a big primary school in Congo, while we do not have such a school. They also established a charity to build mosques and are going to build two thousand mosques in the country.
ABNA: We know that you had participated in the 4th International Conference of Ahlul Bayt (a.s) World Assembly 4 years ago, please tell us what was your demands and whether you met them?
Isa: Unfortunately our demands were not met. Islam was the first religion which entered to Congo, but now the majority is Christian. I believe that it was because the first Muslims who came to Congo were merchants; therefore they didn't seek the promotion of Islam. However people became familiar with Islam and accepted it. Afterwards, when Christian missioners came to Congo promoted their religion by giving money to the charities, building schools, hospitals and so on, then some people prefers Christian than Islam. Through practical promotion, now, the majority of Congolese are Christians. And now, if someone seeks to promote Islam must do it in a practical way, as we have this expression, “actions speak louder than words”.
ABNA: How Ahlul Bayt (a.s) World Assembly can help you?
Isa: Our main goals since we have established our center was to build schools, mosques, Hosseinieh (mourning halls), hospitals, nursing homes and launching TV and radio networks.
ABNA: It means your most important demands are economic?
Isa: No, fortunately we have a vast country. So if you want to build an institution, mosque or any other organization, the government will provide sufficient land for you, so our request is not purely economic. I believe taking part in social activities is one of our most important demands of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) World Assembly.
ABNA: Thank you so much Mr. Imbaki!
End item/ 149