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TORO - Toro Muslim district Kadhi Sheikh Karim Hakim has called upon Muslims to take advantage of Islamic banking to grow a saving culture amongst them.

While leading Idd el-fitr prayers on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the Fort Portal main mosque, Sheikh Karim appreciated the Government and President Yoweri Museveni for allowing Islamic banking to operate in Uganda.

“The Government has done well to allow Islamic banking which operates under our Sharia Law to operate here,” Sheikh Karim said.

He cautioned the Muslims against falling prey to conmen who disguise themselves as agents of Islamic banking.

President Museveni on March 27, launched Salaam Bank, Uganda's first-ever licensed Islamic banking institution. Islamic banking is a form of banking based on Islamic principles, which prohibits paying and receiving interest but rather it is based on profit sharing. Islamic banks focus on generating returns on investments through investment tools that are “Sharia” compliant.

Toro Muslim District Kadhi Sheikh Karim Hakim. (All Photos by Rogers Sunday)

Do not despise jobs

He cautioned Muslim youth against despising jobs: “It is important that we stop looking down on any type of job offered to us because very few people are currently employed. We must work, earn and be able to save for the future”.

Government programmes

Sheikh Karim called on Muslims to embrace government programmes geared at alleviating poverty.

He also challenged the Muslims to take advantage of the Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education government programmes to educate their children.

“Our children are the future of this nation so if we do not educate them it means that the future of this country might be unstable” he said.

Remain holy

Sheikh Karim appealed to the Muslim faithful to continue exhibiting good morals that are in line with the principles of Islam even after the fasting month.

“As you go out today, ensure to celebrate Eid as per the principles and teachings of Islam,” he said.

He called on the Muslims to remain united under the umbrella of Islam even after Ramadan.

“Let us not be divided by personal differences but instead be united by the good Islam morals and teachings,” he said.