VP Alupo lauds Muslim leaders for laying down development framework

By Joseph Ssegawa

The Muslim leadership tapped into the blessings of the crescent by laying down a constitution that is guiding the paths among their community, Vice-President Jessica Alupo has said.

"We're grateful to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council for the support you have rendered towards the development of the Muslim community and the country at large," she said.

Ms Alupo on Friday joined the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) for the Annual National Iftar Dinner at the Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala.

The Iftar dinner was had on Thursday evening with the subsequent event extending to Friday under the theme, "Religion for Peace Building Empowerment and Human Rights".

VP Alupo said the government was seeing many developments in the Muslim community.

She said UMSC has demonstrated that theirs is a national cause to champion when they exhibited the spirit of brotherhood during the formation of the Inter-Religious Council, a body she said has "really helped in uniting the agenda of different religions".

"We always collaborate with different religions in many aspect in promotion of health, education, safe water and many other projects," she said.

 

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shabban Ramadan Mubaje, praised the Muslim community who have stood strong with UMSC in time of difficulties.

"In the few past days, we had many challenges as the Muslim community, including the leadership of UMSC, but good enough you stood with us in those trying moments," Mubaje said.

The mufti called upon the government to support UMSC exercise of equipping its leaders with different governing skills to avoid intrigue within the Muslim community.

"We are seeking government support towards the training of more than 150 Muslim leaders to eliminate fighting within the Muslim community basing on the constitution of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council," he said.

UMSC chairperson Mohammed Kisambira urged Muslims to work, not wait for the government to fulfil their needs.

The event at the Muslim headquarters in Kampala comes just days before Muslims celebrate the Eid next week and despite the holy month nearing a close, Hajj Kisambira urged Muslims to use the remaining days of Ramadan to forgive to those who wronged them.