MUK’s decision offends no religion
Jun 02, 2009
EDITOR—I have read a letter entitled “Ban on Islamic dress is an attack on Islamâ€. The writer was complaining about Makerere University prohibiting Muslim students from wearing hijab and caps in examination rooms. He rises many issues but the thrust
EDITOR—I have read a letter entitled “Ban on Islamic dress is an attack on Islamâ€. The writer was complaining about Makerere University prohibiting Muslim students from wearing hijab and caps in examination rooms. He rises many issues but the thrust of his argument is that Makerere administration is not sensitive to Islamic values.
I don’t think that is the case. There is a tendency in Uganda to politicise every issue under the sun. Makerere has no problem with Islam or Muslims. I remember, when Dr Samson Kisekka was vice-president of Uganda, Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) students refused to do examinations on Saturday because according to the SDA doctrine, Saturday is Sabbath and no work is supposed to be done as prescribed in the Bible. They went as far as petitioning Kisekka who was himself an SDA adherent. Kisekka, unfortunately, would have none of it. He told them to abide by the regulations of Makerere and do what they were told. They were not done yet and went to court over the matter but lost the case. Why? Makerere is a secular institution and is neither a madrasa nor a seminary. Students are required to read the university’s regulations and internalise them when they are admitted. Makerere has not said that Muslim students should not wear hijabs or Islamic caps on campus. The only exception is in examination rooms.
The reason is clear. There is rampant cheating at Makerere and that is one of the measures. Even nuns should not be allowed to wear their veils because I know at least two who are in the habit of hiding ‘bullets’ in their veils. That is not an affront to Catholicism.
We should stop hiding behind religion to make inflammatory statements. Neither Jesus nor Muhammad encouraged dishonesty.
Cheating is abundant at makerere and should be dealt with decisively. I am sure nuns take off their veils when they are bathing. Muslims also don’t bathe with their caps or hijabs on. I should know, because I am a Muslim. So they can take off their attire during examinations without offending Islamic sensibilities.
Rashid Tabaire
Makerere University
I don’t think that is the case. There is a tendency in Uganda to politicise every issue under the sun. Makerere has no problem with Islam or Muslims. I remember, when Dr Samson Kisekka was vice-president of Uganda, Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) students refused to do examinations on Saturday because according to the SDA doctrine, Saturday is Sabbath and no work is supposed to be done as prescribed in the Bible. They went as far as petitioning Kisekka who was himself an SDA adherent. Kisekka, unfortunately, would have none of it. He told them to abide by the regulations of Makerere and do what they were told. They were not done yet and went to court over the matter but lost the case. Why? Makerere is a secular institution and is neither a madrasa nor a seminary. Students are required to read the university’s regulations and internalise them when they are admitted. Makerere has not said that Muslim students should not wear hijabs or Islamic caps on campus. The only exception is in examination rooms.
The reason is clear. There is rampant cheating at Makerere and that is one of the measures. Even nuns should not be allowed to wear their veils because I know at least two who are in the habit of hiding ‘bullets’ in their veils. That is not an affront to Catholicism.
We should stop hiding behind religion to make inflammatory statements. Neither Jesus nor Muhammad encouraged dishonesty.
Cheating is abundant at makerere and should be dealt with decisively. I am sure nuns take off their veils when they are bathing. Muslims also don’t bathe with their caps or hijabs on. I should know, because I am a Muslim. So they can take off their attire during examinations without offending Islamic sensibilities.
Rashid Tabaire
Makerere University