A few hours before the start of the month of Muslim fasting, we spoke with Abdoulaye Hema Ouattara, son of the late Djaffar Héma Ouattara, current spokesperson for the Cultural Committee of the Generation of the Three Testaments (CCGT). In the interview he gave us, this March 22, 2023 at his home in sector 22 of Bobo, the religious guide tells us about the origin of Ramadan but also gives his reading on the national situation. Read !
What does the month of Ramadan represent for the faithful Muslim?
Ramadan existed long before the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad. Before the arrival of Muhammad, in the time of the prophet Moses, it was called Lent. At this time, Moses went for forty days without eating or drinking. He spent all his time talking about God. This is different from the Muslim fast which is limited to either 29 days or 30 days. After that, it was mentioned in the Koran that every good Muslim after observing the lunar crescent must fast. Ramadan does not just mean abstaining from food and drink all day. No ! The Muslim must have pity on his fellow man during this blessed month. He must multiply good works because it is a month of forgiveness, tolerance and communion. Moreover, he must share his bread with others, those who have none. We have seen Ramadan in the Koran.
We, within the CCGT, draw everything that is said in the Koran, the Gospel and the Torah. If we don’t see something written in black and white in these three holy books, we are not working with it. Exceptionally, fasting is not obligatory for those who have health problems and those who take long journeys. But after the month of Ramadan, these people have to pay back the days they were unable to fast. Here, we are not talking about fake sickness. Those who at the approach of the month pretend to be sick. Women who are menstruating and those who are breastfeeding their babies are also excused from the fast but on condition of reimbursing the days after. There is also a category of people who cannot fast because of their state of health. After the month of Ramadan, they must give alms. This is also detailed in the Quranic verses.
What behavior should the faithful adopt during this period?
What is recommended for Muslims during this month is forgiveness in the first place. Then he must help widows, orphans and other vulnerable people to enable them to fast. For example, the Muslim who has enough financial means must give this layer of people food, money and many other necessities to help them break their fast. Instead of some using their money in political affairs or for other purposes, they should use it in these good works. It must also be said that fasting is a very effective medicine for those who do not know it. It can defat the body and give good health to anyone who has health concerns. In order to fast, a Muslim must observe the moon. If he sees her he must call witnesses. After that, he must swear and give all his references so that the Muslim community can give the information officially. It’s not enough to sit somewhere and say you’ve seen the moon. Where is the proof? It is not a question of counting days but rather of seeing the moon before fasting.
We notice that during the month of Ramadan, food prices rise. What is your point of view ?
The Burkinabè people are mean to each other. Traders who raise food prices are disbelievers. They are criminals. The government must take care to prevent possible chaos. We ask President Ibrahim Traoré to instruct his government in such a way as to carry out checks on the prices of basic necessities. Others say the country is poor. No ! This is not the case, it is wickedness. The rich don’t pity the poor. We have to stop this so that God can help us. We have traders in Burkina who, instead of helping the poor, take advantage of the month of Ramadan to enrich themselves by raising prices. Take the example of neighboring countries such as Mali and the Ivory Coast where prices fall during Lent. The president must order his Minister of Commerce to control and seize products whose prices are rising. All those who have raised prices are enemies of the people.
How is the CCGT doing after the death of the founding father, your father Djafar Hema Ouattara ?
The CCGT is doing very well by the grace of God. Our activities still continue as if he were alive. He is not with us today but he left us in the right way and we are following the path. Our activities are always manifested by our prayer sessions, sermons and outings. Everything really happens as it did during his lifetime. Depending on the news in the country, we also give our point of view but after we have fully immersed ourselves in the situation with supporting evidence and reliable sources. At our level, if we do not master all the contours of a subject, we reserve the right to talk about it. We need sources and true information on a daily basis to be able to speak. After the death of the founding father, I was questioned several times because of my remarks. Once it was in times of Covid19, the founding father was still alive but suffering and it was me who preached that day. It was still under Roch Kaboré. That day I was called on the phone and I went to meet the person. It was after the exchanges that he told me that he was from Interpol and showed me his card and he reproached me for having insulted the Head of State. I just asked if what I said is true or is it false? I even asked if he had the option of driving me higher so I could speak my mind. After the drama of Inata, when I also spoke about that, people attacked me internally and externally. But it was this case that won President Roch Kaboré. If only he had listened to me. We give our sermons by giving our points of view on current events in the country, but we remain apolitical. The principles and values that we defend have not changed, everything is in action.
What is your analysis of the current situation in the country??
I think we are on the right path and the end of the ordeal is coming soon. It will be good to live in Burkina Faso very soon. For me, Burkina Faso is a unique country on earth because it is Burkinabè themselves who harm other Burkinabè. How can we understand that? Muslims, Christians and customary people, everyone prayed in their own way for the return of peace to Burkina Faso and Ibrahim Traoré came to power to show us the way. There are still Burkinabè who are working so that he can’t get us out of this situation. My wish is that politicians stop talking even, it’s good like that. If we have to talk about elections or a president in a country, it must have peace first.
It is said that Burkina Faso is the country of honest men. If this is true we must all support the current president because he is really determined. I don’t see any enemies in Burkina Faso and other enemies can’t do anything against us except ourselves Burkinabe. In addition we have activists on social networks who create problems for us. All these people must be arrested. Whoever wants to become president must first go to the front. After the war he can claim to be a candidate. I remember that one day there were five suns in the sky and the founding father told me that day that five African countries are going to unite to form a federation. I think it has already started between Burkina Faso and Mali. But don’t worry, there are three other countries that will join. The end of suffering is coming soon.
your last word
All I ask of the Burkinabè, especially of the youth, is unity and cohesion. Without union and cohesion we can achieve nothing. Everyone must know how to behave and we must be able to silence our differences and save the country. We must avoid posting false information on social networks, things that can harm the future of our country. May peace return to Burkina Faso.
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Rules to follow in terms of nutrition and health during fasting
The World Health Organization suggests that those who are fasting during this time of Muslim Lent drink plenty of water and eat hydrating foods during Ramadan. High temperatures can also make you sweat more, so it’s important to drink fluids to replace what you lose during the day (at least 10 glasses).
This year, the Ramadan fast falls on long, hot days. On average, people fast between 15 and 16 hours a day. During the mid-day hours, when temperatures are high, it is important to stay in a cool, shady place and avoid the sun.
Recharge your energy with a healthy and balanced iftar.
Eating three dates when breaking your fast is a traditional and healthy way to start iftar. Dates are an excellent source of fiber. Include plenty of vegetables in your meals to replenish essential vitamins and nutrients. Choose whole grains, which provide the body with fiber and energy. Feast on grilled or baked lean meat, chicken and skinless fish for a healthy serving of protein. In general, avoid fried and processed foods high in fat or sugar. Enjoy your meal and avoid overeating by eating slowly.
It is recommended to take a suhoor
The suhoor is the light meal taken before the start of the fast every day; this particularly applies to groups with special needs such as the elderly, adolescents, pregnant women and nursing mothers, and children who choose to fast. This meal, which is a light breakfast, should include vegetables, a serving of carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread/patties, high protein foods such as dairy (unsalted cheese/labana/milk) and /or the eggs, as well as a side dish consisting of tahina/avocado.
Avoid consuming too many sweets after your iftar. Sweets commonly eaten during Ramadan contain large amounts of sugar syrup. Sugars recommended for consumption are water-rich fruits, such as watermelon/melon or any other seasonal fruit, such as peach or nectarine.
Avoid foods with large amounts of salt, such as sausages, processed and salted meat or fish products, olives and pickles, appetizers, salty cheeses, different types of cakes, salads, ready-to-use spreads and sauces (like mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup).
Interview conducted by Aymeric KANI and
Ben Alassane DAO
