RELIGION | MUSLIMS | MENK 

KAMPALA -The grand mufti of Zimbabwe sheikh Ismail ibn Musa Menk aka Mufti Menk has advised Muslim leaders in Uganda to shun hate messages that divide believers but instead preach unity and love among the Muslim Community.

Menk, who arrived in the country on Monday ahead of the inauguration of Musa Quran Memorization Center, made the call during an iftar dinner aimed at inspiring the youth to live a better life at Pearl of African Hotel in Kampala on Monday (April 26, 2021).

“Hate message is not only anti-Islamic but also fuels conflict in society,” he said.

Menk is in the Country for a three-day visit, met President Yoweri Museveni in Rwakitura, and expected to attend the inauguration of Musa Quran Memorization Center and tour some sites including the Source of the Nile in Jinja.

(L-R) Muhamad Ali Waiswa, the second deputy Mufti of Uganda addressing the delegates during Iftar Dinner conference aimed at inspiring the youth to live a better life as Dr Sheikh Yahaya Ssemuddu former Uganda envoy to Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ismail Ibn Musa Menk, the Grand Mufti Zimbabwe and Mohamed Hamid Aya chairman AYA Group look on. This was at Pearl of African Hotel Kampala on April 26, 2021. (Credit: Ramadhan Abbey)

In 2019, Menk, a thrilling preacher, also visited Uganda and concluded his four-day visit to Uganda with a convention at Namboole Stadium.

“Fasting has come at a time when the whole world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has paralysed the economy; it is, therefore, our responsibility as Muslims to give support to our needy brothers and sisters,” said Menk.

“Ramadhan is a month to ask forgiveness from Allah, blessing where everything you do is multiplied by Allah, reading the Quran, perform taraweeh prayers and if you fail to forgive your neighbours, Allah will also not forgive you.”

He was accompanied by Muhamad Ali Waiswa, the second deputy Mufti of Uganda, Dr Sheikh Yahaya Ssemuddu, former Uganda envoy to Saudi Arabia and Mohamed Hamid Aya chairman AYA Group.

Others were Aisha Nalubega, deputy Chairperson Electoral Commission, Prof Badru Katerega, Vice chancellor Kampala University and Hawa Namugenyi, Kampala Central Deputy Resident City Commissioner.

Who is Mufti Menk?

Ismail ibn Musa Menk well known as Mufti Menk is a Muslim cleric and Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe. He is also the director of Daarul ilm (Islamic Educational Canter) of the Majlisul Ulama an Islamic welfare organisation that caters to the needs of the Muslim population of Zimbabwe, especially in Islamic education.

In 2014 and 2017, Mufti Menk was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.