Fervour and devotion illuminated the town of Kouto, in the Bagoue Region of northern Ivory Coast, during the commemoration of Mawlid, marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
On the night of Monday, August 24, to Tuesday, August 25, 2026, numerous faithful from across Ivory Coast gathered alongside religious leaders and local dignitaries to share this moment of faith and fraternal reunion.
Among the notable figures who made the journey, Yamoussa Coulibaly, CEO of Challenge Immobilier International (Chim-Inter) and Vice-President of the National Chamber of Approved Developers and Builders of Ivory Coast (CNPC-CI), made a strong impression.
Demonstrating his deep attachment to his homeland, the businessman emphasised the spiritual and communal dimension of the event. “I am a son of Kouto and the Bagoue region. Every year, the celebration of the Prophet of Islam’s birthday is like a pilgrimage for us,” he confided, emphasising the importance of reuniting with his people to offer prayers for peace, security, and the nation’s development.
In a patriotic address, the CEO of Chim-Inter urged the community to offer prayers for President Alassane Ouattara, praising his leadership.
“He has done much for the stability and progress of our country. He continues to build Côte d’Ivoire, and our contribution as leaders and sons of this nation is to stand by him and support his actions among our people,” he affirmed, calling for unity behind the head of state.
This spirit of recognition and call for unity was widely shared by the other speakers. Konate Sidiki, who came especially from Adzope, reiterated that peace and social cohesion remain the cornerstones of all freedom and economic development.
For their part, Madoussou Fofana and Konate Yaya expressed their gratitude to the government for the stability and tranquillity that have returned to the country in recent years.
Social cohesion was a prominent theme in the Imam’s sermon.
The prayer and teachings of this holy night were led by Imam Konate Soualio of the Grand Mosque of Kouto, who is also the departmental representative of the Higher Council of Imams, Mosques, and Islamic Affairs (COSIM).
In keeping with the institution’s national guidelines, the religious leader delivered a sermon focused on “Social Cohesion,” firmly urging the faithful to cultivate unity, solidarity, and harmonious coexistence in their daily lives.
In Kouto, the 2026 edition of Maouloud will have thus gone beyond the simple commemorative framework to become a true forum for peace, supported by opinion leaders and executives determined to support the momentum of development in their region and in Ivory Coast.
AP/fss/as/APA