Unity calls, Gaza killings, Rwenzori attacks dominate Eid day preachings

Prince Kassim Nakibinge (R), the Supreme Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Zubair Kayongo (2nd R) and other Muslims pray at Kibuli Mosque. Sheikh Kayongo asked government and security agencies to intensify efforts to resolved unexplained deaths and attacks on citizens at the hands of iron bar wielding thugs. PHOTO BY MICHEAL KAKUMIRIZI.

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Political and religious heads across the country called for unity and an end to violence.

Monitor Team
Kampala

The conflicts in the Middle East between Palestine and Israel yesterday dominated Eid El-Fitr sermons as Ugandan Muslims joined the rest of the world to mark the end of the fasting period. Muslim clerics castigated the killings in the two countries that have for the last three weeks left at least 1,500 people, mostly children and women, dead and thousands injured.

Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council blamed the conflict in the Gaza Strip on non-response by the United States and other countries. “No voice has come out to condemn the Gaza conflict where Israelis are killing thousands of Palestinians at own will. There is no voice that has come out to condemn the actions of Israelis in Gaza and clashes in Libya yet the US has always called themselves defenders of human rights,” he told believers at the Uganda National Mosque at Old Kampala.

Sheikh Mubajje who questioned if one life of an Israeli is worth thousands of Palestinians, appealed to the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) to indict the perpetrators of the bloodshed.
Sheikh Mubajje called for peaceful resolution of the tribal disputes in the Rwenzori regional districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko.

Recently, residents and officials discovered bodies believed to have been buried secretly in Bundibugyo District in mass graves. The mass graves follows the simultaneous attacks in Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts that left more than 90 people killed by unknown attackers in Rwenzori region about a month ago.

At Nakivubo Stadium, a section Muslim youth held placards after Eid El-Fitr prayers expressing discontent over the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Isreal over Gaza Strip. The believer clad in their religious attire waved around the stadium denouncing Israel and its occupation of the Gaza strip.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago asked the UN President, Mr Sam Kutesa to prevail over the situation to prevent what he described as ‘killing innocent civilians’. “We want the UN president (Sam Kuteesa) to use his powers to call for a general assembly to probe the killings of children, vulnerable people in Palestine and other Muslim countries. The killings are going on and no one is being brought to justice,” Mr Lukwago said.

The Lord Mayor also asked the government in Uganda to probe the killings in Rwenzori region as move to bring justice to the survivors. He questioned the motive behind the ‘hurried’ exhuming of bodies in mass graves and bury them without conclusive investigations over the cause of their death.

In Mbale, Bugisu Regional Kadhi, Sheikh Issah Ahmad Masaba commended President Musveni for signing the Anti-Homosexual law saying it is the best gift he offered this year. He said the law is a measure towards guarding degenerating morals among the youth and it was the responsibility of the clergy to influence their laity in observing morals and ensuring that such vices do not infiltrate them.

In Tororo, District Kadhi Ismail Rajab Odoi appealed to the Muslims to support government programmes to transform their livelihoods. He encouraged every house to initiate an income generating activity that can earn them minimum income on daily basis rather than eying for external support when they have even a capacity to sustain themselves.

In Gulu, Acholi chief district Kadhi Sheikh Musa Kheliil asked the people who intend to join the Muslim faith to desist from ill-intentions. “After committing crimes, they convert into Islam and they keep on terrorising the population resulting into abuse of the religion,” he said.

In Iganga, Sheikh Sinan Muwanika, the regional Kadhi of Busoga, blamed the conflicting statements over confusing believers about the day. Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga urged Muslims to remain calm and adhere to the Islamic principles exhibited during the Holy month of Ramathan.

In Kabale, Woman MP Ronah Ninsiima appealed to the Muslim to prioritise education of their children if they are to compete for the available scarce jobs in government. The chairman of Kigezi sub-region Muslim Community, Mr Isa Tindyebwa, asked believers to maintain discipline exhibited during the fasting season and to support government development programmes for the good of promoting Islam.

In Kyegegwa, Sheikh Ahamed Kamuhanda, the acting district Kadhi warned Muslim youth against acts of terrorism and condemned the recent attacks on a church and a Mosque in the district saying religion does not force any one to join but rather a choice.

In Fort Portal, Sheikh Hassan Waiswa Abdul-Aziz warned the youth against drug abuse saying it would ruin their lives. Bunyoro Kingdomdeputy premier, Blasio Mugasa asked Muslims to use the good values which they learn in their respective faith to foster unity, peace, love, caring, honesty, unity and development.

Reported by, E. Ainebyona, J. Kiggundu, P. Tajuba, Y. Kitunzi, J. Omollo, M. artin Odong, S. Okello, Y. Yolisigira, R. Muhereza, F. Tusiime, R. Katusabe, F. Mugerwa.