By Mohammed Taha Tewekel
ADDIS ABABA
Plans by Djibouti's Muslims to hold the al-Adha feast prayer at a stadium – like they did every year – were on Saturday shattered by heavy rains, the country’s presidential office said.
This forced the public to hold the prayer and related festivities at mosques in their respective villages for the first time, the presidential office added in a statement.
It said a feast celebration had to be delayed because of the rains that had submerged the stadium.
President Ismail Omar Guelleh said his government was committed to work together with the people to reduce poverty, move ahead with Djibouti's development and realize prosperity for the people of his country.
"Islam is a religion of peace and Muslims need to build tolerance and avoid violence," Guelleh said in the statement.
He expressed, however, concern over terrorism and extremism, which, he said, threatened peace and stability.
"Concerted efforts are being made to fight terrorism and extremism in collaboration with different countries," the President said.
"This fight has, however, negative impacts on development as it claims the lives of innocent people and destroys infrastructure," he added.
He said terrorism and extremism did not only pose threats to Djibouti, but also to the whole region.
Djibouti is a leading country in the fight against terrorism and piracy. The country is part of the African Union Mission in Somalia, where the militant Al-Shabaab movement has been engaged in a fierce fight against the government for several years now.
Guelleh also said that his country was concerned over developments in Yemen, saying the situation in the Arab country was going from bad to worse day after day.
He called on Yemen's political parties to prioritize the national interests of their country and avoid conflict.
Guelleh said his country had a strategic location both in the Horn of Africa and Arab regions.
He called on Arab states, especially those in the Arab Gulf, to help Yemen retain its peace and security, saying Djibouti stood in solidarity with the restive Arab country.
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