Calendar coincidence or foreknowledge of the Omniscient? In any case, it is unusual for Christian Lent and Muslim Ramadan to begin on the same day. Each offers a path of penance towards spiritual renewal for believers of both religious denominations, despite their completely asynchronous calendar systems. While the Gregorian calendar, adopted by Christianity, marks 2026, the Hijri calendar, used in Islam, marks 1447, and their months are of unequal length.

This fortunate coincidence comes at a time when unity, fraternity, and secularism the cardinal elements of fervent belief in our national narrative are being severely undermined by discourse advocating identity-based withdrawal into local or foreign subjectivities, as well as confrontation between the State and religion. This occurrence is therefore timely, as if to return the expression of devotional metaphysics faith to its original purpose.

This clarion call for spiritual renewal is sure to inspire the devout members of our Defence and Security Forces men and women of faith, if ever there were any. In this age of materialism, ease and superficiality, it takes faith to put one’s body on the line for the Fatherland, no matter how difficult it is or how much it endangers one’s own life. Faith is also needed to reach out and care for the enemy because we recognise them as fellow human beings who have simply lost their way.

Despite a few rare exceptions, which only serve to confirm the rule, Cameroonian soldiers are driven by a strong sense of patriotism, and would never betray their country for money, nor deliver it to the inhuman appetites of a predatory corporatocracy. This is unfortunately the case with a handful of their compatriots, who condemn the bosom that nursed them. They defame, oppress, plunder and kill their families for their own comfort.

Unlike these lawless arsonists and traitors of the Fatherland who claim the right to diversity in other parts of the world while inciting hatred of others, Cameroonian soldiers embrace their ancestral roots and open their hearts and arms to the world around them.

The creation of military chaplaincies in barracks does not affirm conflicting or disparate religious identities, but rather harmonises perspectives and reinforces the essence of human existence. This is love for one’s neighbour the source of peace to which all religions strongly and insistently call men and women to aspire. Strength and courage to all!!!