Luwero Kadhi advises muslims to perform taraweeh prayers in homes

Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  |  The Luwero District Kadhi has asked the Muslims in the district to respect curfew time and perform Taraweeh prayers at their homes to avoid a clash with security personnel.

Today Muslims started the holy month of Ramadhan. Ramadhan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam and lasts 29-30 days from the sight of the crescent moon to the next.

During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims perform Taraweeh prayers in addition to the Qyam and Isha’a prayer which is one of the five daily prayers.

However in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic and ongoing curfew times in the Country, Sheikh Ramadhan Mulindwa the Luwero District Kadhi has asked the Muslims to perform the Taraweeh prayers in homes.

Mulindwa explained that the Uganda Muslims Supreme Council wrote to the government asking it to extend curfew time to 11:00 pm to allow Muslims to perform Taraweeh prayers and return homes. The Taraweeh prayers are held from 8:40-10 pm.

Mulindwa says that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council has not received official communication and neither wrote to any Kadhis that the government agreed to extend the curfew.

As result, Mulindwa has advised Muslims to perform the Taraweeh prayers in homes to avoid a clash with security personnel who may arrest them after finding them walking back home after attending prayers in mosques at night.

On April 8, Edward Ochom the Director of Operations wrote on behalf of the Inspector General of Police wrote to District Police Commanders asking them to exercise consideration in the event they encounter Moslems past curfew time of 9 pm.

Ochom copied the letter to Sheikh Muhamadi Younus Kamoga the Amir Ummah of Jamuiyyat Da’awa Assalafiyya Kampala who had written to the Deputy IGP earlier on the same matter.

But Sheikh Mulindwa says that UMSC is yet to get an official response from the Central government on its request and the letter circulating on social media may not save the Muslims from clashing with the security personnel. 

Mulindwa advised Muslims to only offer congregational prayers of Isha’a at mosques and perform Taraweeh prayers at home saying these will also be accepted by Allah. 

On Friday, The State Minister for Internal Affairs Obiga Kania said that it is only President Museveni Tibuhaburwa that can lift the 9 pm curfew.

Kania said that the curfew will not affect the activities of the Muslims, during Ramadan saying some changes will be made where necessary.

Apart from Ochom’s statement to Police Commanders, the government is yet to state the possible changes.

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