Muslims can live together

Jul 05, 2010

Besides the already existing rivalry between Mufti Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje and the Kibuli-based Supreme Mufti Zubair Kayongo, a new row has broken out between Mufti Mubajje and chairperson Hassan Basajjabalaba where each claims to have impeached another.

Besides the already existing rivalry between Mufti Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje and the Kibuli-based Supreme Mufti Zubair Kayongo, a new row has broken out between Mufti Mubajje and chairperson Hassan Basajjabalaba where each claims to have impeached another.

These differences are not new; different factions of Muslims in Uganda have wrangled since the establishment of Islam in 1875. Islam in this country has seen about 10 major conflicts over the decades. All attempts to reconcile the warring parties have failed to yield lasting solutions.

This is, however, not unique to Islam, religious wars have dogged history worldwide. The Anglican Church broke off from the Roman Catholic Church because they could not agree on some doctrinal issues. In Uganda today the Pentecostal churches have failed to work under one umbrella. Consequently, they have formed four loose associations.

The modern World Order which emphasises liberalisation also makes it impossible to force groups who have hitherto failed to agree under common leadership.

It is futile, therefore, to force the Muslims under one umbrella because faith cannot be subjected to reason and, as history has shown, no amount of reconciliation efforts will achieve this. The Government and the Muslim leaders should consider recognising the different Muslim factions and their leadership.

In line with the Constitution requirements the different factions and groups should be required to respect one another, allow each other the freedom to worship and co-exist.

Any parties that infringe on the others right to worship or create chaos should be prosecuted according to the laws of the land. The different religious factions can then be free to form coalitions as they deem fit.

The Government should not be dragged into the wrangles. Its role should be to enforce compliance with the law and respect for one another as enshrined in the Constitution.

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