Muslim leaders have been urged to ensure that funds collected from mosques are used responsibly to support development initiatives within their communities.
Jamil Ssenyonga, the Chairperson for Islamic Affairs in the Office of the Abubaker Jeje Odongo, made the call while addressing Imams and Sheikhs during a training session held in Kawempe Division.
The meeting was organised to guide Muslim leaders on how mosques can serve not only as places of worship but also as centres for community transformation and development.
“We call upon Muslims to use the funds collected from mosques properly so that they can help develop their communities,” Sheikh Ssenyonga said.
He explained that mosques have the potential to play a broader role in society by promoting social welfare programmes and economic initiatives that benefit Muslim families.
According to Ssenyonga, responsible financial management within mosques can help support education initiatives, community welfare projects and other development activities that uplift local communities.
The training session attracted more than 100 Imams from different areas within Kawempe Division, who gathered to receive guidance from Muslim leaders on how to initiate development projects through their mosques and strengthen community support systems.
Participants were encouraged to mobilise resources and work collectively to address social challenges affecting their communities.
During the meeting, Muslim leaders also reminded participants to make good use of the remaining days of the holy month of Ramadan by engaging in acts of charity and spiritual devotion.
They encouraged Muslims to support the needy through Iftar meals, observe the fast diligently and spend more time in mosques to earn spiritual rewards.
Representatives from Fincom Technologies, the organisation that spearheaded the training, also donated several items to support the Imams during the fasting period.
The items included sugar, wheat flour, soap and other basic necessities intended to ease the burden on religious leaders and their communities during Ramadan.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, several Imams commended the organisers for the initiative, saying the training had equipped them with important knowledge on how mosques can contribute to development.
“This training has helped us understand how mosques can contribute to development in our communities,” one of the Imams said.
They also expressed appreciation for the donated items, noting that the support would help them and members of their communities during the Ramadan fasting period.
Muslim leaders said such initiatives were important in strengthening collaboration between religious institutions and development partners in addressing the social and economic needs of communities.