The Head of State made these remarks during a Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast organized by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship (RLF) at the Kigali Convention Centre.
The event, held under the theme 'Foundations of a Grateful Nation,' brought together religious leaders, non-governmental organizations, and government officials to express gratitude for Rwanda's recent peaceful elections.
Kagame was re-elected as RPF Inkotanyi's presidential candidate during the July elections this year with 99.18% of the vote, securing another five-year term.
During the thanksgiving event, he extended his appreciation to the organizers and acknowledged the peaceful and smooth conduct of the electoral process, expressing thanks to everyone involved.
Reflecting on the essence of thanksgiving, Kagame observed that it should be intertwined with genuine satisfaction.
"Thanksgiving cannot be an end in itself; it involves a sense of satisfaction. Satisfaction means that everything you expected or desired has been fulfilled. We should express gratitude in a way that reflects our genuine satisfaction with what we are thankful for," he said.
Kagame also stressed the importance of aligning three key elementsâ€"spiritual, political, and cultural aspectsâ€"for a nation to stand firm.
He explained that these three elements were essential in rebuilding Rwanda after its darkest moments.
'For Rwanda to recover and reach where it is today, it was through the combination of these three elements. If we are in a good place today, it is because we effectively combined them,' he stated.
The President further clarified that, unlike other nations where religion may intertwine with politics or culture, Rwanda maintains distinct but complementary roles for these elements.
'If we are not careful and fail to understand how these elements should work together to bring positive results, we will face problems,' he warned.
The President cautioned against overstepping boundaries in politics, religion, or culture, noting that Rwanda's tragic history of extremism was caused by crossing such limits. He advised that simplicity in handling these domains can lead to achieving goals with greater ease.
Kagame also called attention to the exploitation of the public in the name of religion, stressing the need to guard against scammers under religious pretexts. He reaffirmed the importance of religious values while underscoring that such values should not be manipulated for personal gain.
The Rwanda Leaders Fellowship, an organization committed to instilling Godly values in leadership, expressed its own gratitude during the event.
Moses Ndahiro, Chairman of RLF, praised the peaceful elections that allowed Rwandans to freely vote for their leader, and thanked the participants for their attendance at the prayer breakfast.
Preacher Lambert Bariho, another RLF member, highlighted the importance of maintaining a culture of thanksgiving even in challenging times.
Drawing from the Bible, specifically Paul's letter to the Thessalonians 5:16-18, Bariho reminded attendees of the biblical teaching , stressing that gratitude should not only be reserved for times of abundance but also during challenges, as there is always something to be thankful for, no matter the circumstances.
Bariho expressed optimism for Rwanda's future, asserting that the country, under President Kagame's leadership, has moved past its darkest days, and that the challenges ahead will never again compare to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Théophile Niyitegeka
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/thanksgiving-should-reflect-genuine-satisfaction-president-kagame
