Mubajje meets Egyptian President Al Sisi in Cairo

By Umaru Kashaka

THE Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubajje was among 30 international delegates who met Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss Islamic issues.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) spokesperson, Haj Nsereko Mutumba, the meeting was held at the Presidential Palace a day after the burial of Al Sisi's mother.

The President also briefed the delegation about the state of affairs in Egypt.

Speaking at length about the political changes that happened in Egypt, the President said they were in the best interest of the Egyptian people.

He said in both the overthrows of President Hosni Mubarak and Muhammad Morsi, the Egyptian army was always on the side of the people, not the leaders and their supporters.

He noted that the Egyptian army belongs to the Republic of Egypt, not individuals in power, giving examples of Yemen and Syria where he said there are civil wars because the armies of those countries have decided to protect the leaders instead of the masses.

President Al Sisi said Egypt is now safer because the army was under obligation to protect the people.

He urged Muslims from around the world to unite noting that most of the challenges facing Muslims worldwide are a result of factionalism.

"I am a Muslim. I do not entertain groups because they bring about misunderstanding and confusion" he told his visitors.

Before meeting the President, the Mufti attended a two day international conference in Cairo, which brought together Muftis and other Fatwa authorities from 50 countries.

The conference, which began on Monday and ended on Tuesday, was organised by the office of the Mufti of Egypt Prof. Shawuk Ibrahim Allaam and it was held under the theme "Islamic Fatwa Interpretation, the problem of today and the future challenges".

It was officially opened by the Grand Sheikh Al Azhar Prof.  Ahmad Muhammad Al Twaib and closed by the Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab.

During the conference, the delegates resolved that Fatwas will only be issued by Muftis or other internationally recognised Fatwa authorities because they are the ones who possess the wisdom to do so.

They agreed to meet every year in their ongoing plans to consult each other on issues that call for Fatwa and to strengthen their campaign against Fatwa issued by individuals who are not qualified to do so.

The conference was also attended by the former President of Maldives Island Dr. Ma'amuum Abdul Kayum.