There are no Muslim but Arabic names!
SIR— I wish to react to the statement made by Mr Medi Kaggwa, East African Legislative Assembly member, to a human rights workshop recently at Regency Hotel in Kampala.
SIR— I wish to react to the statement made by Mr Medi Kaggwa, East African Legislative Assembly member, to a human rights workshop recently at Regency Hotel in Kampala.
Among other things, he was quoted as saying that Muslims who convert to Christianity
and continue using Muslim names undermine Islam.
However, I am of the view
that there are no “Muslim†names. The are only Arabic names which can be used
by anyone who so wishes.
In countries like Lebanon, where Arab Christians
are in plenty, the issues of names does not arise vis-a-vis religion.
Remember Bashir Gemayel, one time Lebanese President? He was a Christian!
On the other hand, many black Americans who practise Islam in the United States of America do not necessarily carry Muslim/Arabic names.
They use English names
comfortably.
J. K. Atwooki
Kampala
Among other things, he was quoted as saying that Muslims who convert to Christianity
and continue using Muslim names undermine Islam.
However, I am of the view
that there are no “Muslim†names. The are only Arabic names which can be used
by anyone who so wishes.
In countries like Lebanon, where Arab Christians
are in plenty, the issues of names does not arise vis-a-vis religion.
Remember Bashir Gemayel, one time Lebanese President? He was a Christian!
On the other hand, many black Americans who practise Islam in the United States of America do not necessarily carry Muslim/Arabic names.
They use English names
comfortably.
J. K. Atwooki
Kampala