Over 1,000 Muslims go to Mecca
Nov 11, 2009
A total of 1,300 Muslims have gone to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to participate in the annual Haj pilgrimage.
By Madinah Tebajjukira and Nicholas Kajoba
A total of 1,300 Muslims have gone to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to participate in the annual Haj pilgrimage.
Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam, which must be done at least once in a life time of every Muslim.
Last Friday, Prince Kassim Nakibinge and Kibuli section Mufti, Sheikh Zubair Kayongo, bid farewell to the first group of pilgrims at the Wandegeya Mosque.
Nakibinge warned pilgrims against indulging in acts that contravene the Muslim faith.
“Do not go to steal because you would face harsh punishment that includes chopping off your hands. You must observe discipline and pray throughout the journey,†he said.
Kayongo asked the pilgrims to pray for the country and their leaders.
Warid Telecom Company facilitated the pilgrimage.
Last year, 1,200 Muslims travelled to Mecca for Haj, which is also a demonstration of the solidarity of Muslims and their submission to Allah.
Every year, more than two million Muslims converge in Mecca for the event, which is carried out during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
The health ministry and the Uganda Haj Mission trained 26 medical officials in the control and treatment H1N1 influencer, commonly known as swine flu.
The medical officials travelled with the pilgrims to Mecca to guard against any possible outbreak of the disease among Ugandan pilgrims.
The chairperson of the Uganda Hajj Mission, Sheikh Hassan Kirya, said the move followed a directive from the Saudi Haj ministry, which told all countries that intended to participate in the festival to train pilgrims on how the virus is spread and how to control it.
The medics were led by Kayunga Hospital chief Dr. Edris Musisi. They will be paid by the Uganda Haj Mission and the Federation of Uganda Haj offices.
All pilgrims were tested for swine flu and pregnant women and people suffering from chronic illness were barred from participating in the Haj.
A total of 1,300 Muslims have gone to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to participate in the annual Haj pilgrimage.
Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam, which must be done at least once in a life time of every Muslim.
Last Friday, Prince Kassim Nakibinge and Kibuli section Mufti, Sheikh Zubair Kayongo, bid farewell to the first group of pilgrims at the Wandegeya Mosque.
Nakibinge warned pilgrims against indulging in acts that contravene the Muslim faith.
“Do not go to steal because you would face harsh punishment that includes chopping off your hands. You must observe discipline and pray throughout the journey,†he said.
Kayongo asked the pilgrims to pray for the country and their leaders.
Warid Telecom Company facilitated the pilgrimage.
Last year, 1,200 Muslims travelled to Mecca for Haj, which is also a demonstration of the solidarity of Muslims and their submission to Allah.
Every year, more than two million Muslims converge in Mecca for the event, which is carried out during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
The health ministry and the Uganda Haj Mission trained 26 medical officials in the control and treatment H1N1 influencer, commonly known as swine flu.
The medical officials travelled with the pilgrims to Mecca to guard against any possible outbreak of the disease among Ugandan pilgrims.
The chairperson of the Uganda Hajj Mission, Sheikh Hassan Kirya, said the move followed a directive from the Saudi Haj ministry, which told all countries that intended to participate in the festival to train pilgrims on how the virus is spread and how to control it.
The medics were led by Kayunga Hospital chief Dr. Edris Musisi. They will be paid by the Uganda Haj Mission and the Federation of Uganda Haj offices.
All pilgrims were tested for swine flu and pregnant women and people suffering from chronic illness were barred from participating in the Haj.