Masjid Nabawi Imam electrifies Gaddafi Mosque
By Ahmed Idriss
Sheikh Muhammad Said Noman, one of the Imams of the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, delivered a spiritually uplifting Friday sermon at Gaddafi National Mosque in Old Kampala, where he passionately called on Muslims to return to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and live by its light.
In a rare and historic appearance, Sheikh Noman addressed thousands of worshippers with a message deeply rooted in Qur’anic guidance, describing the Holy Book as a divine mercy, a source of healing, and a comprehensive manual for humanity’s moral and spiritual direction.
“Allah sent to you a Messenger from among yourselves and revealed to him the best of books to lead you to the straight path,” Sheikh Noman said.
“The Qur’an is a light, a mercy, and glad tidings for the believers. It takes people from darkness into light by Allah’s permission,” he added.
The Sheikh expressed concern that many Muslims today have distanced themselves from the Qur’an, replacing its timeless values with fleeting worldly pleasures. He called on believers to renew their relationship with the Qur’an not only by reciting it but by understanding and implementing its teachings in their daily lives.
“Where are the Muslims today from the Book of Allah?” he asked. “Where are our mothers and daughters from the teachings of modesty and chastity? Where is the Qur’an in our marriages, in our marketplaces, and in our leadership,” he wondered.
He referenced verses and Prophetic traditions to emphasize that salvation in this world and the next lies in clinging to the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Quoting the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) farewell sermon, Sheikh Noman said: “I have left among you that which if you hold fast to, you will never go astray — the Book of Allah.”
While his khutbah left many reflecting deeply, it was what followed the formal sermon that captured hearts and brought tears to many eyes. Sheikh Noman demonstrated an extraordinary ability to imitate the voices of some of the world’s most renowned Qur’an reciters.
From the thunderous tone of Sheikh Abdurrahman Al-Sudais to the emotional resonance of Sheikh Mahir Al-Muaiqly, with astonishing accuracy. Worshippers gasped and wept as he seamlessly transitioned from one recitation tone to another, evoking the sacred ambiance of Masjid al-Haram and Masjid Nabawi.
It was later revealed that Sheikh Noman has memorized the recitation styles of 98 globally celebrated Muslim Qaris, a feat that has gained him recognition across the Muslim world.
“It felt like the Haram had been brought to Uganda,” said one overwhelmed congregant. “His voice carried the soul of Madina and Makkah.”
Sheikh Noman’s visit to Uganda was facilitated by the Pakistan Muslim Community, who invited him to engage with the country’s Muslim population and share in spiritual enrichment. His presence drew worshippers from all over Kampala and neighbouring districts, eager for a rare encounter with a spiritual leader from Islam’s second holiest mosque.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), which manages the Gaddafi Mosque, hailed the visit as a blessing and encouraged the Muslim community to internalize the Sheikh’s message.
“This is a reminder that our strength lies in our connection to the Qur’an,” said a UMSC representative. “Sheikh Noman’s words and example are a wake-up call.”
Throughout his sermon, Sheikh Noman stressed that the Qur’an is not a seasonal text reserved for Ramadhan or ceremonial recitations, but a daily companion to be studied, reflected upon, and lived by. He encouraged Muslims to teach their children the Qur’an and to use it as a foundation for justice, compassion, and righteous action.
He closed with the well-known hadith: “Read the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its companions on the Day of Judgment.”
