Muslim cleric calls for 'a life for life' punishment

By John Agaba

A life for life, eye for eye was of the the Old Testament. But a Muslim cleric Sheik Suleiman Kakeeto of the Amir Daulah Muslim group, expressed sentiments that the practise should be reinstated. 

Leading  Eid el-Fitr prayers at Clock Tower in Kampala, Kakeeto of the Amir Daulah Muslim group said: “I think it is high time the rule of ‘a life for life’ mode of punishment be considered as the minimum punishment for the wicked.”

He said people who rape women, murder other people and engage in many other villainous acts.

A young boy faces the camera during Eid Mubarak prayers at Clock Tower. Photos/Roderick Ahimbazwe
 

This was in regard to the increasing criminal cases in the country, among them a man who was found murdered, in cold blood, and his genitals cut off around Nsambya in Kampala this month.

Kakeeto, in a message read by Mutebwa Musa, also warned Muslims against fake Sheiks who he said were dividing their religion.

He said the Muslim community has for long been divided into unwanted sects by people purporting to be Islam chieftains yet they are false.

Muslims attend Eid Mubarak prayers at Clock Tower

“I wish to advise whoever is behind these conflicts that Muslims are tired. We are tired of people who pretend to be Sheikhs, but with their own non-Islamic agendas. Fellow Muslims do not give them any chance. Just ignore them,” Kakeeto said.

He condemned the Boko Haram, Alshabaab, and Tuareg militants’ actions in Nigeria, Somalia and Mali respectively.

“Although these people are Muslims, their actions have no room in the Islamic teachings. Such acts and many others are contrary to the true Islamic teachings. So you (the Muslims attending the prayers) should not support or join them,” Kakeeto said.

The prayers making the end of the holy month of Ramadhan and attended by many from the Islamic faith, started about 10:00 am and were concluded by midday.