On Fraternity, Peaceful Collaboration, and Respect for Religious and Cultural Identity
By Barani Eduardo Hiiboro
Dear friends, brothers and sisters in this noble APF forum,
Warm Pentecost greetings to you all! I join this important and intense discussion today out of a deep conviction as one who shares in our collective dream of a peaceful, respectful, and united world. I may not always speak up in these forums, but today, I am compelled by conscience to share a humble reflection. Please excuse any shortcomings in my words; I speak with sincerity, faith, and love for our shared future.
Pentecost: Unity in Diversity
On this Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Catholic Church we recall how the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and enabled them to speak in many tongues. People of every nation could hear the Good News in their own language. This is not only miraculous it is symbolic: unity in diversity is a divine calling.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit, love, peace, kindness, patience, empathy, compassion, and generosity are universal. These are understood in the hearts and languages of all 64 ethnic groups in our country, and indeed, all over the world.
A Question of School Construction: Muslims in a predominantly Christian State?
Since this morning, a kind of emotional reactions has arisen over a politician’s call for Muslims to build schools in our Christian-majority state. Many responded with skepticism, shaped by painful histories, particularly from the north before our independence.
So, can Muslims build schools here?
My answer is: YES.
If their intention is to contribute meaningfully to the good of society why not? We call this a cooperative duty a moral and social obligation of all, locals or foreigners, to uplift the human community. Such efforts align deeply with the spirit of the Catholic Church from Apostolic times to today. Christian conscience compels us to offer holistic pastoral services, spiritual, educational, social to all people, regardless of their creed.
Governments should welcome religious bodies to supplement service delivery, just as is done in America, Europe, and well-organized African nations. It is not about domination it is about complementarity.
Dubai as a Model: Welcoming All While Protecting Identity
Look at the UAE, particularly Dubai, a remarkable example of diverse collaboration. The Gulf Kingdoms, like Qatar and the Emirates, came together to create modern, inclusive societies that attract global investors. But and this is crucial they built strong legal protections for indigenous culture, religious identity, and social values.
Foreigners can invest, but they are expected to respect the local way of life. We, too, have traditional leadership our kingdoms which should be empowered to guide this same kind of balanced development. Yes, investment but with laws that preserve our dignity and beliefs.
A Nuanced Reality: South Sudanese Muslims and External Business Actors
It also seems clear that the majority of Muslims currently well-established in business are not South Sudanese by origin. In that sense, they may be fairly classified as international investors, and like all foreign investors, their engagement should be guided by appropriate laws and frameworks. Some level of partnership and cooperation with them is possible and should be explored for the mutual benefit of our society.
However, our South Sudanese Muslim brothers and sisters are fully at home. They are citizens sons and daughters of this soil and they are completely free to initiate and lead development projects. Their contributions should be encouraged and supported.
The voices we hear around this matter are often traditional, shaped by history and emotion. There is much work needed on all sides to raise awareness, open dialogue, and forge new paths of collaboration rooted in trust, fairness, and fraternity.
I humbly suggest and request some level of research and documentation on this issue. Better strategies and policy suggestions can emerge to strengthen peaceful coexistence, religious freedom, and shared development.
No to Forced Conversions, Yes to Mutual Respect
Let us be clear: forced religious conversion is wrong. It is rejected by:
Our national laws
International human rights frameworks
And, importantly, our Christian conscience
The Church teaches us to respect every person’s dignity. We are not allowed to abuse other religions or to speak ill of any sect.
Instead, we are called to promote dialogue, mutual respect, and peace.
In our global village, it is neither possible nor necessary for all to follow one religion. Even atheists are human beings with dignity. As long as they respect those who believe, they must also be respected. Abusing someone else’s faith does not strengthen your own, it simply multiplies enemies in a fragile world.
Muslims in Western Equatoria: Friends, Not Strangers
Let us not forget: Muslims are already part of our fabric.
Hon. Hussein Ennoca, a brilliant former commissioner, May God rest his humble soul in peace.,
Prominent and respectful intelligent Lawyer Sharf Gbudue,
Faisal Luciano, Hussein Girisi, Abdullah Juma respected names and personality in our society.
As Chairperson of the Interfaith Council for Peace Initiatives in Western Equatoria, I can attest that we work side by side with Muslim leaders to build peace. We are not enemies. We are partners in building a harmonious future.
Mixed Marriages and Religious Crossing: A Reality of Life
Some people are troubled when others marry across faiths or convert. But this is not inherently sinful or shameful. It is part of life’s freedom. Some such unions fail, yes, but many flourish.
In our diocese now, we are witnessing something beautiful: a wave of young missionaries joining foreign religious congregations. Over 20 young people from our Diocese of Tombura-Yambio have joined international orders like the Augustinians, the same order as Pope Leo XIV. These youth become our ambassadors of faith and culture, bringing back knowledge, discipline, and spiritual growth.
Great Names like Desiderio Boi, Dr. Isaac Bazugba, Dr. William Renzi, John Dominic (Mukuru), Mama Sakanya, reminds us that interfaith and intercultural bridges enrich us, not weaken us. These have brought us wealth indeed.
Investor Regulation: The Sadoka Lesson
We must welcome investors, but we must also govern them wisely.
In the 1970s, a deeply respected man — Barani Angelo Tutuo, the first Azande Catholic priest and later District Commissioner in Tombura after his retirement from clerical obligations, insisted that Arab traders in Tombura build proper shops instead of occupying old Greek buildings. Some traders were angered by his policy and insistence on standards and local dignity. Tragically, they poisoned him through his housemaid named Sadoka.
To this day, among our people, when someone offers food or water, they may say, “I’ll take a sip first to take away the Sadoka.” A painful memory, but a lesson: we need strong laws to protect our people, even as we open doors to development.
Fraternity, Integrity, and Love for South Sudan
Let us never condemn others for what they do positively well. By the way, we cannot run away or abandon South Sudan when people call it names. Yes, we have corruption. Yes, we have deep pain. But we are also a people of faith, love, and resilience.
Let us build bridges, not walls. Let us speak blessings, not curses. Let us lead with peace, not prejudice.
In a world or nation filled with division, let us choose the flame of Pentecost, the fire that unites, not burns. Let us speak each other’s languages of faith, love, forgiveness, empathy, dignity, and common good.
We are all sinners. But we are also capable of great good.
Let us walk this road together Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, atheists, and others as fellow pilgrims, not rivals.
Let us “take away the Sadoka” of bitterness, fear, and suspicion and offer one another the water of understanding and grace.
With hope, faith, and fraternity,
