Apac Muslim leaders move to recover two acres of land

By Ahmed Idriss

Muslim leaders in Apac District have moved to recover two acres of land in Nora, allegedly encroached on by individuals accused of attempting to sell the property to a private buyer.

The decision was reached on Monday, September 7, during a meeting between the Apac Muslim District leadership and residents at Nora Main Mosque.

The meeting was led by District Kadhi Sheikh Usaama Eden, alongside district chairman Talib Okabo, Apac County Sheikh Ibrahim Olili and district secretary Okulu Babu.

According to a statement issued by Sheikh Eden, the land was allegedly encroached on by Bony Onono, described as a broker who was reportedly used by some Muslims to sell the property to a woman.

The dispute had previously been reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Oyam and later referred to the Resident State Attorney for legal guidance.

The statement said the suspects were sanctioned but subsequently went into hiding. The CID has since given the alleged encroachers one month to report, after which the land is expected to be returned to the Muslim community for development, according to the district Muslim leadership.

Sheikh Eden warned Muslims against misappropriating communal property, saying such actions have consequences both for the community and before Allah.

“When we as Muslims take people’s property or public Muslim property, before Allah (S.W.T) we shall face severe punishment,” Sheikh Eden said.

He said it was unacceptable for a few individuals to take property intended to benefit the wider Muslim community and future generations.

“It is very bad for only three to five people to take property that would benefit generations and generations,” he said.

Sheikh Eden urged residents to report attempts to grab Muslim property and work together to protect communal assets.

“Whoever sees such acts must be a responsible citizen and a responsible Muslim to report and protect Muslim property. We must unite to bring back such properties,” he said.

Apac Muslim District chairman Talib Okabo also called for unity among Muslims whenever communal property is threatened.

Residents who attended the meeting included Muze Elyas Acut, Hamza, Rashid Ekuk, Mustafa Opio, Edi Kamdini, the Imam of Loro Mosque and retired prison officer Sulaiman Okura.

Residents expressed concern over the alleged land grabbing, saying the property should be protected for the benefit of the wider Muslim community.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for residents to raise other concerns. They asked the Muslim leadership to support the renovation of Nora Main Mosque, which they said requires attention.

The community also appealed for assistance to repair its borehole, which currently has a manual spinning mechanism that residents said is difficult to operate.

Talib Okabo agreed that Apac Muslim District would provide a pump borehole head to improve access to water.

Sheikh Eden thanked residents for raising the land issue and condemned the misuse of communal property.

“This bad act should not be among the Muslim community. It takes back the development of Islam when our own fellow Muslims misuse public property as their own,” he said.