Thousands of Muslims turned up at Old Kampala Mosque for Eid ul-Fitr prayers which also marked the end of Ramadhan.
The prayers were led by the Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje who was joined by other officials of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, the government, and foreign dignitaries.
Speaking to the congregation, the Mufti condemned the rampant murders in the country and the consistent arrest of Muslims as first suspects. " we condemn all these acts of murder and it is Muslims who have suffered most but it is also the Muslims who are suffering as suspects.
We call upon the security agencies not to take Muslims as the first suspects of a crime. Let them exercise their professional ways of finding real suspects even after Muslims being declared by Courts of law that they are not guilty, they are innocent, and they are whisked back to the prison." Said, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje – Mufti of Uganda.
Sheikh Mubajje urged the congregation to be law abiding and promote peace before leading them into Eid Prayers. Muslims welcome the Eid holiday with the joy of fulfilling the fourth pillar of Islam.
Other Muslims spoke of the need to improve the security situation in the country especially the brutal killing of Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga.
“We lost our brother among the very long list Al-Hajji Col. Ibrahim Abiriga who was murdered in cold blood. It is very saddening to see that our country is steadying back to those dark days which we celebrated that we had overcome them.” Said, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje – Mufti of Uganda.
“We condemn those who abduct people, who kidnap people, who use the machete to behead people.” Said, Hajji Nsereko Mutumba – Spokesperson, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council.
“They should preserve the day as a special day, they should enjoin themselves, they should not drink, and they should behave as if they are still fasting.” Said, Lt. Col. Juma Seiko – Army Officer.
Today marks the end of Ramadhan, a month of piety, goodness, and commitment to God.
Besides keeping the peace, Muslims have been urged today to continue living the same way they have been living throughout the whole month of Ramadhan.
