Among advises Muslims on dispute resolution

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among has advised Muslims to find an amicable way of resolving the disagreements within the community.

In a speech read for her by the Kampala minister, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, at the annual Iftar dinner hosted by Parliament on March 22, Among expressed discomfort with the new wave of conflicts within the Muslim community.

“Ramadhan this year came at a time when divisions are threatening to tear the Muslim community further apart. As your Parliament, we take great concern but encourage you to resolve the outstanding issues amicably,” the Speaker noted.

Her speech comes weeks after a section of members of the General Assembly of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), wrote to Parliament, informing MPs of the resolution to impeach Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubaje and replaced him with Sheikh Abdallah Ssemambo who was his deputy.

Ssemambo was in attendance but Mubaje sent representatives led by Sheikh Anas Ssessimba. Other Muslim leadership factions were also represented at the Iftar dinner.

“The Muslims of Uganda feel strong and secure when there is unity because when united, it becomes difficult for external forces to weaken or break the community,” Among told the Muslims.

She based her remarks on Allah’s command contained in Surat Al-Imran verse 103; “And hold fast to the rope of Allah, all together, and be not divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah does make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.”

She announced a donation of Shs 50 million towards the purchase of a 20-acre piece of land for the establishment of a Muslim cemetery. According to Immam Iddih Kasozi, the spokesman of the Uganda Muslim Welfare Association, more than Shs 1.5 billion is needed for the project.