Religion and Living Together
Primary 3 · Social and Religious Studies
Religion and Living Together
Lesson 1 of 3
12 min
Let's begin
On Sunday morning Uwase put on her best dress and walked with her mother to church. On the way they passed their neighbour Mugisha and his father, who were walking to the mosque.
"Where are they going?" Uwase asked. "They are going to pray, just like us," her mother said, "but in their own way."
Today you will learn about the different religions in Rwanda, and how we all live together as neighbours.
A religion is a way that people believe in God and worship. People who share a religion pray together, read a holy book, and try to live a good life the way their religion teaches.
In Rwanda, most people are Christians. Christians believe in God and in Jesus. Many Rwandans are also Muslims. Muslims believe in God, whom they call Allah. Some Rwandans follow other beliefs too. We are neighbours to one another.
Let's put it side by side, so it is easy to remember. This is our worked example.
| Christians | Muslims |
|---|---|
| They worship in a church. | They worship in a mosque. |
| Their holy book is the Bible. | Their holy book is the Quran. |
| They usually gather to worship on Sunday. | They gather for special prayer on Friday. |
Look at the table. Church goes with Bible and Sunday. Mosque goes with Quran and Friday. If you remember the pairs, you will never mix them up.
In Rwanda, every person is free to choose their own religion. Nobody may force you to pray their way, and you may not force anyone to pray your way.
That is why Uwase can walk to church and Mugisha can walk to the mosque on the same road, greet each other with a smile, and stay good friends. Different prayers, one country.
Praying in a church, a mosque or at home is all a way of reaching out to God. What matters most is that we respect each other while we do it.
Tip
Remember the pairs. Church → Bible → Sunday. Mosque → Quran → Friday.
Say them like a little song: "Church, Bible, Sunday. Mosque, Quran, Friday." Now you will always know which goes with which!
Try first, then tap Show answer to check.
Keza reads from the Bible and worships in a church on Sunday. Which religion does she follow?
Answer: She is a Christian. Bible + church + Sunday all go together.
Where do Muslims go to worship God?
Answer: To a mosque.
What is the holy book that Muslims read?
Answer: The Quran.
Uwase goes to church and her friend goes to the mosque. Are they allowed to be friends?
Answer: Yes! In Rwanda everyone is free to choose their religion, and neighbours of different religions live together as friends.
On which day do most Christians in Rwanda go to church?
Answer: On Sunday.
What you learned today
Quick check
Match each word to what it is.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
