In Pictures

Gallery|Humanitarian Crises

In Pictures: Learning to forgive in DRC

Lessons on forgiveness by religious leaders helping Central African Republic refugees in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Imam Moussa Bawa, 72, and Sister Maria Concetta, 80, converse on the banks of the Oubangi River in Zongo, DRC. The two religious leaders attempt to heal the wounds that have divided the Christian and Muslim communities in Central Africa Republic. 
By Celine Schmitt and Brian Sokol
Published On 16 Oct 2014

Zongo, Democratic Republic of Congo – During her 55 years in the DRC, Sister Maria Concetta has learned many lessons, but slowing down isn’t one of them. An experienced midwife, the 80-year-old nun has assisted the births of more than 20,000 babies – eight of whom were the children of her good friend, Imam Moussa Bawa.

The imam, 72, doesn’t move as much or as quickly as the sister, but his words posess a quiet gravity. “People come every day to my place to ask me for advice. I tell them that they have to forget the past. If someone harmed, you should not harm him, you should forgive.”

For refugees who have fled the recent bloodshed in neighbouring Central African Republic, forgiveness can be hard to find. Much of the violence in CAR took place along religious lines, and atrocities were committed by both sides. “There will be a reconciliation with time, but not yet. We have to start step by step. This Friday again I will talk about patience,” he says.

The sister echos her friend’s sentiment. “My message is a message of peace, because peace brings development and fraternity. We need one another to grow and improve ourselves,” she says. “We interact very well with the Muslim community here. We know each other very well. When we have events bringing together the different religions, the imam always comes to the events.”

When asked if refugees listen to him, Moussa replies, “They listen to me sometimes, but I keep hope that it’s going to get better, inshallah.”

Sister Concetta works into the night at a hospital operated by her order in Zongo. She arrived Congo in 1959 and was here for the country(***)s independence.
Advertisement
(***)It(***)s the third time we are helping refugees here because of political complications in Bangui. We have always welcomed refugees. We interact very well with the Muslim community here,(***) says Concetta.
Bawa shares a laugh at his home in Zongo. The imam was born in nearby Libenge, and has lived here for 34 years. (***)During the 34 years that I(***)ve been here, there have never been problems between Christians and Muslims,(***) he says. 
Sister Concetta checks progress at the UNHCR funded nutrition centre being constructed at the hospital she operates in Zongo.
Bawa gestures towards his home as the sun sets.
CAR refugees gather at the home of Imam Bawa to discuss reconciliation and the possibility of relocating from Zongo to the nearby Mole refugee camp.
Advertisement
Sister Concetta speaks with a fellow nun in the hospital their order operates in Zongo.
Concetta stands outside the delivery room holding a newborn infant. She has assisted with more than 20,000 births.
The children of Muslim Central African refugees sit in small wooden chairs at the home of Imam Moussa Bawa while their parents discuss reconciliation in Zongo.
Sister Concetta cleans a newborn infant at her hospital.
Imam Moussa hosts a discussion on reconciliation at his home. 
Always busy, Sister Concetta walks through the reception area of the hospital on the way to her next duty.
Sister Concetta has spent 55 years in DRC working with those in need.
Moussa and Concetta both say forgiveness is the only way for victims of violence to find peace.