The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has commended the Russian Federation particularly the Republic of Tatarstan for its visible socio-economic progress and strong commitment to religious freedom for Muslims.
Addressing the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) National Management Committee at Old Kampala, Mubaje said his recent five-day official visit to Tatarstan revealed a vibrant revival of Islam, contrasting sharply with the religious restrictions during the Soviet era.
“Unlike the Soviet era when religious practice was banned, we observed a strong revival of Islam. We visited several mosques, including the iconic Kul Sharif Mosque,” Mubaje said.
The Mufti was in Tatarstan to attend the 16th Russia Islamic World: Kazan Economic Forum, a high-level platform designed to foster economic and cultural cooperation between Russia and Islamic nations.
He praised the forum’s organisation and noted that Tatarstan’s per capita GDP stands at around $10,000, significantly higher than Uganda’s.
“Tatarstan has made commendable economic strides,” he said, attributing part of that progress to strategic partnerships with Muslim-majority countries.
Mufti Mubaje revealed that discussions with Russian officials, including a Special Assistant to President Vladimir Putin, focused on potential collaboration in sectors such as trade, health, technology, education, and the Halal industry.
“They showed particular interest in Uganda’s Halal sector,” he said, noting that Russia is also offering science scholarships to Ugandan students.
He disclosed that a follow-up visit by a UMSC delegation is being planned to formalise bilateral cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding.
Counsel Muhammad Ali Aluma, who accompanied the Mufti, emphasised Uganda’s prominent role at the forum, highlighting that Dr. Mubaje was the only Mufti from the African continent in attendance.
Also present at the UMSC meeting were Deputy Mufti Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa and Second Deputy Mufti Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya.
The Russia Islamic World: Kazan Economic Forum is held annually in Kazan City, the capital of Tatarstan, and serves as a strategic venue for fostering ties between Russia and the Islamic world.