Mubajje tells Muslims to avoid discos, cinema

Nov 26, 2009

THE Mufti, Sheik Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, has warned Muslims against celebrating Idd al-Adha in a manner which violates Islamic principles.

By Madinah Tebajjukira

THE Mufti, Sheik Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, has warned Muslims against celebrating Idd al-Adha in a manner which violates Islamic principles.

In an Idd al-Adha message released yesterday, Mubajje noted that it would be useless for any Muslim, who has performed the Idd prayers and sacrificed an animal, to engage in acts that he called haram (un-Islamic).

Islam forbids Muslims from going to disco halls, theatres and cinema and drinking alcohol.

“Muslims should stick to Islamic principles of celebrations and avoid indulging in haram acts,” Mubajje said in his statement.

He appealed to Muslims with means to slaughter animals as an act of obedience to God, as Prophet Abraham did, when God asked him to sacrifice his only son, Ismael.

Mubajje appealed to parents to take care of their children and protect them from criminals.

He said cases of child murder, kidnap and defilement were on the increase, advising parents to ensure that children are always accompanied by an adult.

The Kibuli breakaway Mufti, Sheik Zubair Kayongo, also asked Muslims to remain faithful, honest and loving to one another in the new Islamic year. Idd al-Adha marks the end of the Islamic calendar.

He commended the Government for supporting his administration. He asked Muslims who are financially able to give (zakah) to the poor in order to fully enjoy the holy celebrations.

He also asked the faithful to dedicate their prayers to a return to peace, honesty, transparency and a corrupt-free country.

Iddd al-Adha comes a day after pilgrims to Mecca complete Hajj activities on Mountain Arafat. Those who do not go for the Hajj, fast in preparation for the day.

The leader of the Tabliq sect, Sheik Suleiman Kakeeto, commended President Yoweri Museveni for pardoning convicts who had been sentenced to death.

He appealed to the President to release other convicted criminals who have been in prison for long.

“As Muslims, we are very happy with the President’s decision to release the convicts. This is a good gesture, and I ask him to do the same for others who are still in prison,” Kakeeto said.

Five inmates on the death row for more than 20 years were released a week ago. The release followed a Supreme Court ruling in January that said condemned inmates should either be executed within three years or their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

The freed convicts were Hajji Mohammed Birikkade Kasozi, Isaiah Bikamu, Ben Ogwang Simba and Fred Tindingwihuru.

Former Toro Prime Minister John Katuramu, who was sentenced to death in 2001 for the murder of Prince Charles Kijjanangoma, will be released in 2019.

Kakeeto encouraged men to respect their wives and other family members in order to curb domestic violence.

He emphasised that domestic violence deters development in homes and the country. He also encouraged parents to educate their children in good schools.

He called on Muslims to struggle for unity, noting that whenever they are divided, they remain under-developed.

He said infighting, division, and intrigue, which are now common among Uganda’s Muslims, were against Islamic principles.

Imam Kasozi of Mawanga (Munyonyo) Mosque urged Ugandans to pressure the Government to take action against corrupt officials lest Uganda fails to benefit in the recently approved East African Common Market.

“Ugandans should critically re-think of how to punish officials implicated in the misuse of CHOGM, Global Fund and local government funds and those stealing drugs in order to restore faith in our country.

“If we don’t, Uganda will never benefit from the regional economic integration because everybody in the community will be fed up of us,” Kasozi commented.

Like Kakeeto, Kasozi also called for respect to the institution of marriage to curb domestic violence and child abuse.

He called for reconciliation among Muslims and politicians.

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