Rulindo, Rwanda — The Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Musa Sindayigaya, on Sunday visited Rulindo District, where he held discussions with local Islamic leaders and was shown the Rwanda Muslim Community’s (RMC) ongoing infrastructure projects, including schools, a community health facility, and a mosque.
The visit underscores the RMC’s growing focus on decentralizing its social and educational programs beyond major urban centers. During the engagement, Mufti Sindayigaya reiterated the community’s commitment to supporting the government’s development agenda through investments in education, health, and spiritual infrastructure.
A Broader Development Agenda
The Rulindo projects are part of a wider portfolio of RMC initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of Muslims and all Rwandans. According to recent statements and agreements, the community’s strategic plan includes several flagship projects:
- A Rwf5 Billion Islamic Complex: Plans are underway for a state-of-the-art complex in Kigali featuring a national mosque, a top-tier hospital, hotels, commercial buildings, sports and recreational facilities, and parking for over 1,000 vehicles. President Paul Kagame has pledged to fast-track the stalled project, which was first committed to in 2011.
- Expanding Healthcare Access: In December 2025, the RMC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MBC Hospital in Nyarugenge District to ensure Muslim women can receive medical care from female doctors, in line with Islamic beliefs and cultural values. The Mufti has stated that the program is designed to expand to other parts of the country.
- Education and Social Welfare: The community has established schools and madrasas that combine Qur’anic education with secular subjects, alongside health centers that provide affordable care and community centers for youth programs and interfaith dialogue. The RMC has also previously launched model early childhood development (ECD) centers, such as the one in Rubavu, open to children of all faiths.
Leadership and Vision
Sheikh Sindayigaya, who was elected Mufti in May 2024, has prioritized unity, Islamic education, and community development during his tenure. His leadership has been marked by efforts to strengthen the community’s institutional partnerships, both domestically and internationally. In late 2025, he met with Saudi officials and academic leaders to discuss cooperation on religious scholarship and education.
The Rulindo visit is seen as part of a broader effort to ensure that the benefits of these initiatives are felt across all provinces, rather than being concentrated in Kigali. By inspecting local projects firsthand, the Mufti is signaling that the RMC’s development agenda is national in scope.
As the community awaits the delivery of its major Kigali complex, the progress in districts like Rulindo will serve as an important test of the RMC’s ability to translate its strategic vision into tangible improvements in the daily lives of its members.
