RELIGION | ISLAM | MUSLIMS

YUMBE - Preparations are at high gear in Yumbe as Muslims are set to celebrate 106 years of Islam's existence in the district.

The celebrations are slated for October 1, 2022, at Jihad Alelinga Mosque in Kuru sub-county, Yumbe district.

Islam was introduced to Yumbe, which was then Aringa county, in 1916.

Introduction of Islam 

Yumbe district Khadi Sheikh Swaib Allahai Achiga said Islam was brought to the district by Sultan Fadumulah Ali Aduu, a son of Aringa, who was taken as a slave by the soldiers of Emin Pasha to Ethiopia.

Aduu, according to Achiga, while in Ethiopia, embraced Islam and when they were freed, he came home as a Muslim and set up a centre at Alelinga where he established the first Mosque and brought experts to circumcise people.

Sheik Omar Adam Amin Imam Jihad Alelinga Mosque points at the foundation of the first Mosque built in Yumbe in 1916. (Credit: Adam Gule)

Massive growth

Achiga said Islam has since spread in almost all parts of the district with over 600,000 Muslims out of the about 700,000 people in Yumbe.

He added that the number of mosques in the district has massively increased from less than 10 in the 1920s to over 250 mosques today.

Yumbe district chairperson Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Juma Gala Matata said the main purpose of the celebration is to appreciate the contributions of the people who brought in the religion.

"Islam has been here, but very few people know how it all came about. So, we want to take the day to tell people about Islam and encourage them to work hard to develop the religion as the founders did," he said.

Fundraising drive

He said they also have a plan of fundraising on the celebration day to raise funds to establish a theological centre to teach Imams, a vocational school and tourist sites among others at the historical Alelinga.

Lodonga Muslim county Sheikh Farouk Edema said they have a budget of about sh45m to mark the day and that over 1,500 people are expected at the event.

According to Brahan Edoni Nasuru, the publicity secretary for the central organising committee, they expect several high-profile dignitaries.