- By PROCMURA
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PROCMURA's FoRB Carnival: Celebrating Our Cultural and Religious Diversity
Across Africa’s history, communities have been identified and described by their culture, beliefs, and traditions, affirming that Africa is, indeed, a highly cultural and religious continent. It is in the songs sung at festivals, the prayers whispered in different languages, the dances that tell the African story, and the daily interactions between neighbours of different faiths that the continent’s strength and beauty truly lie. Yet, too often, the very differences and rich diversity that should enrich societies have been manipulated into sources of discrimination, division, mistrust, and, at times, violent conflicts.
To counter this, PROCMURA has been implementing the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) programme in Sub-Saharan Africa, a programme that involves celebrating cultural and religious diversity as a platform of uniting diverse communities, a cause geared towards building a society where no one is discriminated against based on their cultural or religious backgrounds.
It is in this spirit that PROCMURA brought together its partners, friends, and FoRB coordinators from Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria for a vibrant celebration of cultural and religious diversity, with a strong focus on the youth. Africa’s future lies in the hands of its young people, and when they come together to celebrate the continent’s cultural and religious diversity, they embody the kind of peace and unity that the continent so urgently needs.
The 2025 celebration, at the Central Office in Nairobi, Kenya, had the unmistakable energy of a youth-led festival. Young people filled the stage with themed poems, songs, and dances that reflected Africa’s rich cultural and religious diversity, carefully written and performed to promote religious freedom for all, something that sits at the centre of PROCMURA’s Overall Goal.
From spirited drumming to contemporary performances inspired by Christian and Muslim traditions and the African culture, the event became a show of expressions that celebrated unity in many ways.
The Programme Officer of PROCMURA, Rev. Dr Salli Effungani, reiterated the need and importance of involving the young people as drivers of realising cohesive communities across Africa. "Young people are the future custodians of freedom of religion or belief. By giving them a platform to express themselves creatively, we are equipping them to be ambassadors of tolerance in their communities," she observed.
The carnival also provided a platform where conversations on freedom of religion or belief came alive in ways that young people could relate to. Through their art, youth groups echoed the importance of protecting the right of every individual to believe, worship, and practice their choice of religion freely, away from any discrimination or intimidation. Their creative expressions reminded everyone present that FoRB is not just a policy concern, but a lived reality that shapes communities, friendships, and futures.
"When I wrote my poem, I wanted to show that being different does not mean being divided. Standing on stage today, I felt like my voice was part of something bigger - part of building peace," said a young man who captivated many people with his amazing poem.
PROCMURA’s FoRB Coordinators from Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria joined the celebration to share their experiences, drawing connections between the cultural performances and the broader work of promoting FoRB in their contexts. They spoke about the challenges of religious prejudice and misunderstanding that the continent has suffered for years, but also emphasised the decisive role that young people play in bridging divides.
For many, the carnival was proof that Africa’s next generation is not only aware of these issues but ready to lead the charge in shaping more tolerant and peaceful societies. "Bringing us, the coordinators, together from Kenya and Nigeria to this carnival strengthens our resolve to continue pushing on with this noble cause. The challenges may differ, but the message is the same: respect, tolerance, and freedom for all," Rev. Dr. Evans Mwangi, PROCMURA’s FoRB Coordinator in Kenya.
Representatives of the Stefanus Alliance International (SAI), a longstanding partner of PROCMURA, underscored the significance of using creative and youth-friendly platforms to advance FoRB. They noted that cultural carnivals like this help make conversations about religious freedom accessible and acceptable, particularly to young audiences who often engage more deeply with music, dance, and performance than with formal dialogue alone.
By translating the principles of FoRB into art and lived experiences, the carnival helped break down barriers and bring the message closer to the grassroots.
For PROCMURA, the 2025 Youth FoRB Carnival was a continuation of its long-standing mission of promoting religious freedom for all, Christian-Muslim relations and peaceful coexistence across Africa. PROCMURA has, over the years, consistently highlighted the importance of embracing diversity as a strength rather than a weakness. This year’s youth-focused celebration was a fresh reminder that the future of FoRB lies in empowering young people to be champions of tolerance, respect, and peace.
In her remarks, the Team Leader of PROCMURA, Ms Joy Wandabwa, observed, "This carnival is a testament to what PROCMURA has always believed - that Africa’s diversity is a gift and not a threat. When we bring our cultures, our songs, and our faiths together, we demonstrate that peace is possible, not in theory but in practice."
As the carnival drew to a close, there was a sense of renewed energy and commitment. Youth groups, just as the various stakeholders present, pledged to continue utilising their talents in poetry, music, and performance, as well as other platforms, to spread the message of freedom of religion or belief in their communities, something that is essential for peaceful coexistence.
Additionally, the coordinators and partners vowed to strengthen collaboration and continue creating safe and vibrant spaces for everyone, particularly the young people, to express themselves and learn from one another. The event highlighted that Africa’s strength lies in its differences and that its youth are ready to carry forward the message of unity, tolerance, and respect.
