In Pictures: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr

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Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It is a day of prayer and celebration. Nationwide, Muslims gathered at various mosques to commemorate the occasion.

The day started early for the Muslims. By 7:00 am, most streets were already filled with the faithful heading to the mosques for prayers.

Most men and boys wore Thobes or Dishdasha, with kufis on their heads, while women and girls primarily donned Abayas and jilbabs.
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Uganda National Mosque (Gaddafi Mosque)

Thousands of Muslim faithful gathered at the Uganda National Mosque, popularly known as Gaddafi Mosque, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

Muslims started arriving in droves, dressed in their finest outfits to attend Eid prayers.

The gigantic mosque proved to be not big enough for the Muslims who filled both the inside of the mosque and the entire compound. To move around, one had to squeeze through the crowd.

 

The prayers at the mosque were led by His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Mubajje. He urged Muslim clerics worldwide to speak out against the killing of Muslims in the Middle East.

He also called upon Ugandans to use the Eid celebrations as an opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation.

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Muslims gather at Nakivubo Blue Primary School for prayers

Hundreds of Muslims converged at Nakivubo Blue Primary School to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. The prayers were led by Sheikh Salim Bbosa.

Sheikh Bbosa cautioned the faithful that "Ramadan does not mean that our fasting has come to an end or that our prayers should stop. We must continue to pray because Allah has been with us throughout the fasting period, and we still need Him because He has never left us."

He appealed to the Muslims to always listen to their leaders, noting that an organisation without a leader is like a tunnel without light.

He urged Muslims to remain united, emphasizing that greater division makes it easier for their enemies to infiltrate and attack.

"We need to stand together as Muslim brothers. If we want to preserve our brotherhood, we will thrive in all our endeavours," Bbosa stated.

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Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr at Kibuli Mosque

Muslims, including Prince Kassim Nakibinge and Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, attended Eid al-Fitr prayers at Kibuli Mosque.

Just like at Gaddafi Mosque, Muslims started arriving in droves, dressed in their finest outfits to attend Eid prayers at 7:00 am.

 

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Soggy grounds couldn’t dampen Mbale Muslims' morale

Muslims in Mbale district converged at the Uganda Muslim Council Grounds for Eid al-Fitr prayers. Not even the soggy grounds could dampen their spirit of worship and celebration.

During the prayers, Sheikh Ahmad Yusuf Masaba Pole, the Kadhi Bugisu Muslim District, said Muslims should promote peace, tolerance and unity among fellow Muslims and peoples of different beliefs.

“It’s important to note that religious freedom is one of the fundamental principles of Islam. Respecting the sanctity of worship places is a cardinal responsibility of all Muslims. There is absolutely no need for Muslims to allow their differences to overtake the good principles of Islam," he said.

"I therefore urge Muslims to cooperate and be tolerant with each other. Your religious differences should not stop you from practising the perfect will of Allah, and I urge all Muslims to be kind to one another.”

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Muslims urged to remain united

Sheikh Abdul Hakim the Toro Muslim District Khadi has called for continued unity and faithfulness among the Muslim community as Uganda nears its electioneering season.

In his Eid message while leading prayers at the Fort Portal Main Mosque, Sheikh Hakim called on the Muslim community in Toro to uphold justice and honesty.

He also cautioned them against the harmful use of social media to spread propaganda which he said is against the principles of Islam.

“Islam calls on us all to uphold justice and to be honest in all that we do. Similarly, Islam preaches against the spread of harmful propaganda which is unfortunately the norm today, especially on social media,” he said.