The Israeli ambassador to Rwanda, Dr Ron Adam, has promised to bring his country’s expertise for the development of religious tourism in the Holy Land of Kibeho.
During his visit to the Holy Land of Kibeho, in Nyaruguru district, the Israeli Ambassador to Rwanda, Dr Ron Adam, promised to bring Israeli expertise in the field of religious tourism.
Ambassador Ron Adam is currently looking for ways to initiate cooperation between Nyaruguru district and his country, the Jewish state.
“We can cooperate in many sectors such as water, electricity, agriculture and especially tourism,” he revealed. “We need to invest here and share our experience in this area,” he said.
“You can develop this place as we have developed Jerusalem and other holy cities in the country. We can share a lot of knowledge and experience,” Ambassador Ron Adam promised.
Kibeho proposed for World Heritage listing
The ambassador launched the idea of making an official request for the Holy Land of Kibeho to be listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He expressed his willingness to use his experience to support this process.
“I know UNESCO personally and I will bring my experience to bear to ensure that Kibeho’s application for World Heritage status is approved,” Ambassador Ron Adam promised.
This application, once approved, will allow the Holy Land of Kibeho to be recognized by the international community as a religious property of exceptional interest to the common heritage of humanity. As a result, this place will be protected by international law. This, in turn, will increase tourism.
The mayor of Nyaruguru district, Emmanuel Murwanashyaka, received the proposal with enthusiasm. “The fact that Kibeho is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will surely add value to the tourist attractiveness of Rwanda in general and Nyaruguru district in particular,” said Mayor Murwanashyaka.
The Catholic Church also welcomed the initiative of the Israeli ambassador to Rwanda, through Father Jean Pierre Gatete, vicar of the Shrine of the Mother of the Word in Kibeho.
The Ambassador of the State of Israel to Rwanda also had a one-to-one meeting with Anathalie Mukamazimpaka. She is one of the three girls who experienced the apparitions of the Mother of the Word. She has been living in Kibeho since then. The latter explained to her the message of love and conversion entrusted to her in the 1980s.
The State of Israel recorded almost 4 million tourists in 2018. Tourist receipts exceeded 2 billion shekels (Israeli currency), i.e. more than 634 million US dollars. The City of Jerusalem alone has 5 sites where religious tourism is practiced.
Domice Gasarabwe & Gerard Rugambwa
