Sheikhs Blast Bishops

Feb 22, 2002

Muslim leaders have blasted the Church of Uganda bishops for demanding the country’s withdrawal from the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

By Vision ReportersMuslim leaders have blasted the Church of Uganda bishops for demanding the country’s withdrawal from the Organisation of Islamic Conference.During the Idd Adhuha prayers yesterday at all main city mosques, Islamic clerics attacked the bishops, saying their demands had angered Muslims.At the Old Kampala Mosque, the home of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Sheikh Mahdi Kakooza said the bishops should withdraw the statement.Earlier this month, the Church of Uganda bishops issued a statement, demanding that Uganda withdraw from membership to the IOC. The bishops also expressed concern about President Yoweri Museveni’s ties to Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gadaffi.Dr. Jackson Turyagyenda, the COU’s communications secretary, was quoted as saying the bishops were concerned that Uganda, a secular State, subscribes to an Islamic body.Uganda joined the IOC in 1974 during Idi Amin’s regime. Kakooza, UMSC secretary for religious affairs, said, “Whether Uganda opts out of the IOC is a government issue that does not concern us as Muslims. But now that they (bishops) are attacking us, be prepared for this battle as Muslims take on those, especially the bishops, who made the remarks.”Kakooza said Uganda had benefited from IOC funding for projects such as Kinyara Sugar Works.He said the projects benefit both Muslims and non-Muslims.The congregation at Old Kampala included the Minister for Energy, Syda Bbumba, Kampala Mayor Ssebaana Kizito and former presidential candidate Muhammad Mayanja Kibirige.At the Clock Tower grounds, Tabliq chief Sheikh Sulaiman Kakeeto warned the bishops to “desist from making remarks that may cause disharmony.” Kakeeto’s Idd Adhuha message was delivered by his deputy, Abbas Musa Kakooza. The Amir is still in Mecca on hijja, the holy pilgrimage.Kakeeto said the bishops’ remarks are “clearly a violation of the ideas of peace and religious tolerance.”He also blasted the bishops for “the discrediting remarks on the character of the great leader of the Libyan Jamahiriyya, Col. Muamar Gadaffi.” At Makerere University mosque, the acting national chairman of the Uganda Muslim Youth Assembly, Imam Kasozi, said the bishops’ calls were idle talk. “It’s unfortunate to hear the bishops making such idle and unprincipled statements against the Muslim community, forgetting a number of donations and assistance IOC has offered to benefit Ugandans,” he said.He said institutions like the Islamic University in Uganda which the IOC aids, admits students of all faiths.Kasozi called on Muslims to condemn such talk aimed at keeping Ugandans, especially Muslims, backward. Kasozi said the bishops have on several occasions called on Muslims to instead join the Uganda Joint Christian Council.At the Kibuli Mosque, Sheikh Mohammed Mayanja instead, criticised wealthy Muslims who don’t slaughter animals on Idd Adhuha.Mayanja said that those who knowingly ignore the ritual would miss heavenly rewards.“The whole sacrificial goat will be put on the minzaani (weighing scale), the hairs, horns, hooves and skin will all be weighed, and such, will the weight of the heavenly rewards on the day of Jana (heaven),” Mayanja said. Among the worshippers were renown scholar Prof Ali Mazrui and former Greenland Bank boss banker Dr. Kiggundu.Ends

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