The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The late President of Uganda, Idi Amin Dada inspired the Muslim unity drive, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje has revealed.
“In 1991 then as Kadhi Bugisu Muslim District and in the company of the late Haj Asuman Mbubi, the former Deputy Chairman of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council-UMSC, we traveled to the Holy City of Mecca to perform lesser pilgrimage-Umrah. On our way back, we met a tall man with broad shoulders who appeared to be Haj Mbubi’s acquaintance. He greeted us in Swahili. I was shocked when he introduced himself as Idi Amin Dada, the former President of Uganda. While departing, he passionately advised us never to betray and abandon the cause for the establishment of UMSC,” Mufti Mubaje recounted.
He disclosed this during a National Muslim Unity Consultative Conference held at UMSC Conference Hall at Old Kampala. According to Sheikh Mubaje, Amin’s message sunk deep in his heart and he resolved to make his own contribution towards uplifting the image of UMSC, which was heavily dented.
“Now 21 years since assuming the office of the Mufti, we have managed to realize that dream and a lot of positive changes have been registered,” Sheikh Mubaje said amidst chants of God is the greatest from the congregation. He revealed that Muslims at the lower levels have agreed to embrace unity in fulfillment of the divine ordnance contained in the Holy Quran and prophetic sayings. “Muslims are ready to work together for the good of our community and faith,” he said.
In a special way, he thanked Sheikh Abdul Obeid Kamulegeya, the former Chief of Uganda for coming out boldly to rally Muslims towards unity, saying he never wished to be seen as a divisive force long after his demise.
He also thanked Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga, the Amir of the Nakasero Mosque based Jumiyyat Al Dawa Al Salafiyya who during the consultative meeting, said they are firmly behind UMSC. Sheikh Kamoga asked the UMSC leadership to ensure that nobody is left behind during the UMSC constitutional amendment process.
Earlier on, Sheikh Kamulegeya who recently led a group of Muslims back to the fold of UMSC, said that he will die a happy man because he is now exonerated after calling upon all Muslims to unite as a single community as commanded by the Almighty Allah in the Holy Quran.
“We will be insulted and cajoled by some ill-minded elements but remain focused on consolidating unity because it is not a personal choice rather the fulfillment of Almighty Allah’s commandments,” he said.
On his part, Ramathan Mugalu, the UMSC Secretary-General informed the delegates that all the troubles that befell the Muslim community in the past and present are a result of disunity.
He explained that this was the reason that led the warring sides to reach an agreement on Sept 3rd, 2021. Sheikh Hussein Rajab Kakooza, the former Chief Kadhi of Uganda and Director of Sharia under UMSC also echoed the message of Muslim unity.
Participants included members of the UMSC Executive, College of Sheikhs (Majlis Al Ulama). former National Leaders, Advisors in the Office of the Mufti, Regional and District Kadhis, and the President of Uganda Muslim Lawyer’s Association among others.
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