Story: Woman Locked In Cold Room

Sarah Kagingo worked at a meat distribution factory. One day, when she finished with her work schedule, she went into the meat cold room to inspect something, but in a moment of bad luck, the door closed and she was locked inside with no help in sight.

Although she screamed and knocked with all her might, her cries went unheard as no one could hear her. Most of the workers had already gone, and outside the cold room it’s impossible to hear what was going on inside.

Five hours later, whilst Sarah was on the verge of death, the security guard of the factory, eventually opened the door and saved Sarah’s life.

Sarah then asked the security guard how he got to open the door, as it wasn’t part of his work routine, and he explained thus:”I’ve been working in this factory for 29 years, hundreds of workers come in and out every day, but you’re one of the few who greets me in the morning and says goodbye to me every night when leaving after working hours. Many treat me as if I am invisible.”

”Today, like every other day, you greeted me in your simple manner ‘ Hello ‘ at the entrance when resuming for work. But curiously,after working hours today, I observed I’ve not heard your ‘ bye! see you tomorrow ‘. Hence I decided to check around the factory. I look forward to your ‘ Hi ‘ and ‘ bye ‘ every day. To you, I am someone. By not hearing your farewell, I knew something had happened.”

”Then I Sought and found you! ”

“Moral Lesson to reflect upon”:
1.Be humble, love and respect those around you. As life is too short! Try to have an impact on people in ways we can’t even imagine, especially the people that cross our path every day. Someone seemingly so insignificant and irrelevant today could be the only help you can get tomorrow.
2. Don’t be arrogant to others because today you are rich and powerful. One day you may need the help of the poor and less powerful.

A FEW MINOR HEALTH TIPS THAT MAY BE OF HELP TO YOU!!!

1. Rub your ears to boost energy: Instead of reaching for another cup of coffee, give your ears a gentle self-massage. According to Chinese medicine, stimulating the pressure points in the ears increases blood circulation to all parts of the body, giving you an instant energy boost.

2. Cure hiccups with peanut butter: Chewing and swallowing the sticky spread will interrupt your breathing pattern and force your diaphragm to relax.

3. Use honey to soothe a sore throat:A natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, honey can help coat and soothe sore throats and alleviate minor coughs.

4. Blow-dry waterlogged ears: Put a hair dryer on the gentlest setting and hold it a few inches away from your ear. The increased airflow will help to evaporate the water in your ear.

5. Make warts disappear with garlic: Garlic— which has been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties — is thought to be an effective home remedy for warts. Apply a freshly cut garlic clove to the wart, place a bandage over it, and leave the bandage on overnight. Repeat every night until the wart disappears.

6. Blow on your thumb to calm jangled nerves:The thumb has its own pulse, and blowing on the thumb will cool down the thumb and thus calm the heart rate, as cold air can slow down your pulse. This trick might also help simply because the act of blowing forces you to deepen your breathing, which calms the heart.

7. Sniff peppermint to quell a craving: Chew mint gum, sip peppermint tea or take a whiff of peppermint oil. Studies suggest that the scent of peppermint stimulates the brain to release appetite-suppressing hormones and promotes a feeling of fullness.

8. Curl your toes to fall asleep faster: The next time you find yourself tossing and turning, try a progressive muscle relaxation technique. Begin by slowly curling and uncurling your toes. Then,work your way up the entire body, from your toes to your neck, tightening a certain muscle group before releasing it.

9. Smile to make yourself happier: Scientists have found that the simple act of smiling can lower blood pressure and release stress, giving you an instant mood boost (yes, even forced smiles count!). You should not live this to the ‘bazungu’ alone. When i was still undergraduate and doing the ‘Human Resource Management’ Module at university, they called it ’emotional labor’ which is rare in most Kampala restaurants. A waitress once served me at Sebankyaye restaurant in Wandegeya but she looked sad. When i asked her if she was OK, her response was even sadder: ‘WAZE GULA MELE OBA KUBUZA BIBUZO’!

10. Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth to beat brain freeze: Also referred to as “ice cream headaches,” brain freezes are caused by a rapid increase in blood flow to the brain. After you down a frozen treat, try thrusting your tongue against the roof of your mouth — this will warm up the palate and ease the flow of blood to the brain.

11. Rub Vicks Vaporub on feet for congestion: To temporarily relieve a cough, try applying the mentholated topical cream on the soles of your feet and immediately covering with a pair of socks. There is no scientific explanation for why this old wives’ trick works, but many stuffy nose-sufferers (and even nurses and doctors) swear by it.

12. Use ginger to prevent motion sickness: Twenty minutes before travel, take two capsules of powdered ginger to ease an upset stomach caused by motion sickness.

13. Shake your head to wake up sleepy feet: It happens to all of us — you’re sitting in an awkward position when all of a sudden your foot, hand or other body part falls asleep. To quickly eliminate that uncomfortable tingling sensation, move your head side to side. The movement helps relieve nerve tension.

14. Alleviate nausea by massaging wrist: Relieve nausea by lightly massaging the pressure point on the inside of your wrist, about three finger widths below the base of your palm.

15. Squeeze lemon to erase pimples: Banish breakouts by dabbing a little lemon juice on problem areas — its antibacterial properties will help kill excess bacteria and reduce acne.

16. Dab on clove oil to alleviate toothache pain: Apply a very small amount of clove oil to a cotton swab and gently dab onto the affected tooth area. The essential oil has been shown in studies to have analgesic and antibacterial properties, making it a useful tool in treating bacteria-caused toothaches.

17. Inhale onion vapors for sinus relief:Chop up an onion, put it in a bowl and inhale the onion fumes. The vapors help open sinus passageways, providing relief from sinus pressure.

18. Stop mouth bleeds with tea bags: To stop mouth bleeds after oral surgery or injuries, apply a moistened tea bag to the affected area; the tannins in tea help the blood coagulate faster.

19. Steam to relieve nasal congestion: Steam helps to loosen mucus and clear out the sinus cavities, providing relief from nasal congestion. A hot bath works, too.

20. Sleep on your left side to prevent acid reflux: Researchers have determined that left side sleeping helps with digestion and eases heart burn pain.

REMEMBER TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST. AND PLEASE, WE ALSO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS AND CHEQUES TOO!

ABBEY.K.SEMUWEMBA

Ramadan Starts June 28 in North America

Muslim minorities in North America will celebrate the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Saturday, June 28, according to astronomical calculations.

The Muslim body said the Ramadan moon will be born on June 27.Quoting FCNA, the umbrella Islamic Society of North America also confirmed the beginning of Ramadan on June 28 in another statement published on the association’s website.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint and good deeds.

It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur’an.

Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.

`Eid Start

FCNA also announced the beginning of `Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, on Monday, July 28.

LATEST ON MUSLIM UNITY FROM IMAM KASOZI

Assalaam alaikum, I was hosted by VOA radio on Monday in the daawa program. You can not believe the positive response and the delegations i have received despite the fact that I am sick at home.

Those against unity may find themselves isolated but we appreciate everyone at any moment he/she sees light. There is nothing more than unity for this community.

MIA MIA is already doing it and soon we shall announce which projects to handle in the 4 regions of Uganda. For starters 2de we delivered 100 bags of cement to Bugiri to complete some mosque. We also delivered 50 bags of cement to Mataba Islamic in Bugerere. In the same spirit we have procured 100 Ironsheet for Kirombe Mosque in Lira.They now need timber what is your take.

United is not only negotiated but is worked for. I had a discussion with the women group from UMSC and I have news that Hajj Nsereko Mutumba is hooting for unity. The message By Amir Kakeeto is encouraging.

I know several people who are planning to resign from the different groups if they are not for unity. Do not be discouraged by those seemingly negative voices. Just be part of the process and you some contribution to make.

This morning in My mosque at Mawanga one old man who is pro Sh. Kakeeto reached to me to sort out his case with a pro Kibuli member.

The greatest news however came from Sh. Mubaraq Mugerwa of Spidiqa Foundation who also listned to my program he now wants me to domediation with his colleague something he failed the other time when the otherside nominated me to mediate.

I will feed you with the latest as they come in.
Note I do not intend to do this job alone it is for every member in the community. Just get united the leaders will bow.

Immam Kasozi.
UMBS member in Kampala.

MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY

MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY:A Lesson to learn from the Germans for the rest of the World.Germany is a highly industrialized country. It produces top brands like Benz, BMW, Siemens etc. The nuclear reactor pump is made in a small town in this country. In such a country, many will think its people lead a luxurious life. At least that was my impression before a friend forwarded me this story about their study trip.

”When I arrived at Hamburg, my colleagues who work in Hamburg arranged welcome party for me in a restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, we noticed that a lot of tables were empty. There was a table where a young couple was having their meal. There were only two dishes and two cans of beer on the table. I wondered if such simple meal could be romantic, and whether the girl will leave this stingy guy.”

”There were a few old ladies on another table. When a dish is served, the waiter would distribute the food for them, and they would finish every bit of the food on their plates.”

”We did not pay much attention to them, as we were looking forward to the dishes we ordered. As we were hungry, our local colleague ordered more food for us.”

”As the restaurant was quiet, the food came quite fast. Since there were other activities arranged for us, we did not spend much time dining. When we left, there was still about one third of unconsumed food on the table.”

”When we were leaving the restaurant, we heard someone calling us. We noticed the old ladies in the restaurant were talking about us to the restaurant owner. When they spoke to us in English, we understood that they were unhappy about us wasting so much food. We immediately felt that they were really being too busybody. ”

“We paid for our food, it is none of your business how much food we left behind,” my colleague told the old ladies.

The old ladies were furious. One of them immediately took her hand phone out and made a call to someone. After a while, a man in uniform claimed to be an officer from the Social Security organization arrived. Upon knowing what the dispute was, he issued us a 50 Mark fine.

We all kept quiet. The local colleague took out a 50 Mark note apologized to the officer.

The officer told us in a stern voice, “ORDER WHAT YOU CAN CONSUME, MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN THE WORLD WHO ARE FACING SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO WASTE RESOURCES.´”

Our face turned red. We all agreed with him in our hearts. The mindset of people of this rich country put all of us to shame. WE REALLY NEED TO REFLECT ON THIS. We are from country which is not very rich in resources. To save face, we order large quantity and also waste food when we give others a treat. THIS LESSON TAUGHT US A LESSON TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT CHANGING OUR BAD HABITS.

My colleague photostated the fine ticket and gave a copy to each of us as a souvenir. All of us kept it and pasted on our wall to remind us that we shall never be wasteful.”

Back home in Uganda, two people go out and spend money like crazy. Order food that could be consumed by almost 5 people. They braggingly call it: ‘OKUDUGAZA EMEZZA’. May be this is something we need to think about as we try to fight certain habits in our country. We should be ashamed, especially considering “asrafi” or waste of anything is considered a great sin in Islam. We have to learn from the Germans.Thank you

ABBEY SEMUWEMBA

Behlool was on his way somewhere when he saw a man crying with his head down

Behlool was on his way somewhere when he saw a man crying with his head down, and looking as if he were a stranger. Behlool went near him, saluted him, and said, “What sort of injustice has occurred upon you that you are so sorrowful and grievous?”

“I am an African foreigner. When I arrived in this city, I decided to bathe and rest for a few days. I had some coins and jewels that I deposited in a perfumer’s shop from fear of thieves. A few days later I asked for my deposit back, but he called me bad names and made it known that I was crazy.”

“Don’t worry. I will go to that perfumery and bring your deposit easily back to you.”

Then he asked who that perfumer was, and when he recognized him, Behlool said to the foreigner, “I will be found at that perfumer’s tomorrow at such-and-such a time. You come to his shop at the appointed time, but do not talk to me at all, and tell the perfumer to return your deposit.”
The African agreed.

Behlool immediately went to the perfumer and said, “I plan to go to the city of Khorasan. I have some jewels that equal 30,000 Dinars. I want to deposit them with you so that when I come back safe and alive, I will take those jewels back from you; and if I don’t return by such-and-such a date, then you are free and responsible to sell those jewels and have a mosque made from their money.”

The perfumer became very happy at this and asked, “You are most welcome; when will you bring your deposit?”

Behlool said, “Tomorrow at such-and-such a time.” Saying this, he went away. Then he had a leather bag made. He filled it up with some iron and glass pieces, then securely sewed its mouth shut.

Then he went to the perfumer’s shop at the appointed time. The perfumer saw the bag and thought it was full of jewels, so he was very happy. The foreigner also arrived exactly then, and asked for his deposit.

The perfumer immediately said to his slave, “In the basement in such-and-such a place is this person’s deposited bag. Immediately bring it and give it to him.”

The servant did so. The foreigner took it and went away, blessing Behlool with all his heart.

———— ——— ——— ——— —

Behlool was born in Kufa and his real name is Wahab bin Amr.

Haroun Rashid (Abassid tyrant: 17 March 763 – 24 March 809, born in Rayy near Tehran, Iran and was the fifth and most famous Abbasid Caliph, ruled from 786 to 809) feared for the safety of his Khalifate and kingdom from the 7th Imam Musa Kazim (A.S.); therefore, he tried to destroy the Imam.

Haroun thought of a trick by which he could kill the Holy Imam. He put the blame of rebellion upon the Imam and demanded a judicial decree from the pious people of his time, which included Behlool.

Everyone gave the decree except Behlool, who opposed the decision. He immediately went to the Imam and informed him of the circumstances, and asked for advice and guidance. Then and there the Imam told him to act insanely.

Because of the situation, Behlool acted insanely by the Imam’s order. By doing this, he was saved from Haroun’s punishment.

Now, without any fear of danger, and in amusing ways, Behlool
protected himself from tyrannies. He insulted the notorious Khalifa and his courtiers just by talking.

Nevertheless, people acknowledged his superior wisdom and excellence. Even today many of his stories are narrated in assemblies and teach the listeners valuable lessons.

Before becoming insane, Behlool lived a life of influence and power, but after obeying the Imam’s order, he turned his face away from the majesty and splendor of the world. In reality, he became crazy over Allah. He dressed in rags, preferred desolate places over Haroun’s palaces, lived on a bite of stale bread. He did not accept favors from or depend upon Haroun or those like him. Behlool considered himself better than the Khalifa and his courtiers because of his way of life.

Behlool was sincerely devoted to Allah; he was an intelligent and virtuous scholar. He was the master of the mind and manners; he spoke with the best of answers ready on his lips; he protected his faith and the Shariah. Behlool became insane at the Imam’s command for the love of Ahlul Bayt, and so he could enforce the rights of which they had been wronged. There was no other way for Behlool to protect his life.

ANOTHER UGANDAN MUSLIM THAT HAS MADE US PROUD

Professor Mahmood Mamdani (born 23 April 1946) is a Ugandan academic, author and political commentator. He is the Director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR), the Herbert Lehman Professor of Government at the School of International and Public Affairs and the Professor of Anthropology, Political Science and African Studies at Columbia University.

He is married to Mira Nair, the Indian film director and producer. They met in Kampala, Uganda in 1989 when Nair was researching for her film, the Mississippi Masala. She had read his book The Myth of population Control whilst an undergrad at university and From Citizen to Refugee just before their meeting. They married in 1991 and have a son.

Mamdani is a third generation Ugandan of Indian ancestry. He was born in Mumbai and grew up in Kampala. Both his parents were born in the neighbouring Tanganyika Territory (present day Tanzania). He was educated at the Government Primary School in Dar es Salaam, Government Primary School in Masaka, K.S.I. Primary School in Kampala, Shimoni and Nakivubo Government Primary Schools in Kampala and at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School.

He received a scholarship along with 26 other Ugandan students to study in the United States. The scholarships were part of the independence gift that the new nation had received. Mamdani joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1963 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1967.

He was among the many northern students who made the bus journey south to Birmingham, Alabama organised by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in order to participate in the civil rights movement. He was jailed during the march and was allowed to make a phone call. Mamdani called the Ugandan Ambassador in Washington, D.C for assistance. The ambassador asked him why he was ‘interfering in the internal affairs of a foreign country’ to which he responded by saying that this was not an internal affair but a freedom struggle and that they too had got their freedom only last year.

He then joined The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and graduated in 1968 with a Master of Arts in political science and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy in 1969. He attained his PhD in government from Harvard University in 1974. His thesis was titled Politics and Class Formation in Uganda.

The Uganda-born Mamdani was named as one of the top 20 public intellectuals by the US Foreign Policy magazine and Prospect (UK) magazine in 2008 and served as the president of the Council for the Development of Social Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Dakar, Senegal, between 1998 and 2002.

He is the author of numerous books and articles, including Saviors and Survivors: Darfur, Politics, and the War on Terror (2009);When Victims Become Killers: Colonialism, Nativism and Genocide in Rwanda (2001); Citizen and Subject: Contemporary Africa and the Legacy of Late Colonialism (1996), which was awarded the Herskovitz Prize of the African Studies Association.

ANOTHER UGANDA MUSLIM CONVERT WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF

Specioza Naigaga Wandira Kazibwe, is a Ugandan surgeon and politician. She is also referred to as “Nnalongo”, because of her twin daughters. She was Vice President of Uganda from 1994 to 2003. She was the first woman in Africa to hold the position of vice-president of a sovereign nation.She was born in Iganga District on 1 July 1955.

Specioza Kazibwe attended Mount Saint Mary’s College Namagunga, a prestigious all-female boarding high school affiliated with the Catholic Church, located on the Kampala-Jinja Highway, near the town of Lugazi. In 1974 she entered Makerere University School of Medicine, where she studied human medicine, graduating with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree in 1979. She later obtained the Master of Medicine (MMed) degree, also from Makerere University Medical School, specializing in General Surgery. In 2009, she was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science (SD), by Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Population and International Health.

In April 2002, Dr. Kazibwe filed for divorce from her husband, saying that she refused to be the victim of continued domestic violence. Polygamy and wife beating are relatively common in Uganda, but divorce is relatively rare. Mr. Kazibwe opposed the divorce, citing his Catholic faith, and saying that his wife had come home late without giving a proper explanation, and had joined with some other politicians he did not like. Finding it difficult to perform her political duties and deal with the increasingly messy divorce case, on Wednesday, 21 May 2003, Dr. Kazibwe stepped down from her positions in government, asking to be allowed to continue her studies. She completed a doctorate at Harvard University. She has four children including twins from her first marriage and has adopted several others.

She reportdely reverted to Islam after marrying businessman and tycoon, Hajji Habib Kagimu( with close ties to Libya). She has been involved in various Muslim activities- the latest being when Muslims were celebrating 120 years of Islam in Uganda at Hotel Africana.

Dr. Kazibwe began her political career as a member of the youth and women’s wings of the Ugandan Democratic Party. She won her first election as a village leader, on the ticket of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in 1987. She was later elected Women’s Representative for Kampala District and became Chairperson of the Advisory Committee for Museveni’s election campaign.

She first began serving the administration of Yoweri Museveni in 1989, when she was appointed Deputy Minister for Industry, a post she held until 1991. From 1991 until 1994, she served as Minister for Gender and Community Development. She was a member of the Constitution Assembly which drafted Uganda’s new constitution in 1994. In 1996, she was elected Member of Parliament for the constituency of Kigulu South in Iganga District. From 1994 until 2003, Specioza Kazibwe served as Uganda’s Vice President and as Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Dr. Kazibwe has been an advocate for women in their position in Africa. In collaboration with the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, she founded the African Women Committee on Peace and Development (AWCPD) in 1998; an organization she has chaired. The objective of AWCPD is to help enable women’s participation in peace and development processes on the continent.Dr. Kazibwe has also been chair or a member of various national interest groups, including:

-The Senior Women’s Advisory Group on the Environment
-The Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited
-The Uganda Women Doctors Association
-Agri-Energy Roundtable Uganda (AER/U)

Dr. Kazibwe chaired the inaugural conference of the AER/Uganda on November 25, 1991 at the Kampala Sheraton and also served on the Committee of Honor of the Agri-Energy Roundtable (AER) for several years, gaining wide recognition. In 1998, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) awarded her the “Ceres Medal” for her “contribution to food security and poverty eradication”

Sheikh Idris Twaibu Lutaaya, the founder of Buziga Theological institute ,Was a Heroe and model to a lot of Muslims

By Haji Nsereko Mutumba

Sheikh Edirisa Twaibu Lutaaya was born in 1941. His father is the late Shk. Twaibu Semwanga of Kikooto Buddu County (Masaka District). He belongs to the Ngonge (otter) clan. His grandfather is Idi Ganyodde of Kawoko Buddu.

In around 1952-53, Shk. Twaib Semwanga’s (father of Shk. Edirisa Lutaaya) house was used as an Islamic Learning Center by Shk. Swaibu Semakula (Shk. Mukulu). Shk. Semwanga made this offer free of Charge for the cause of Islam. Many Muslims benefitted from this center and some were ordained Sheikhs.

Among those ordained were; Shk. Muhammad Mayanja of Kitosi Masaka, Shk. Abdulwahid Musoke of Sseke Masaka, Shk. Mustafa Serwadda of Kitosi, Shk. Abdullatif Kasule of Kikukumbi Masaka, Shk. Abdallah Kakooza of Kikukumbi Masaka (father to Shk. Mahdi Kakooza), Shk. Abubakar Sendege who was in charge of Mauledi at UMSC and Shk. Hussein Walukuli (former District Kadhi Mbale) among others.

His mother is the late Hajat Mariam Namusoke daughter of Shk. Saadi Musoke of Bugona Kawoko in Buddu (Bukomansimbi). She belonged to the Mpologoma (Lion) Clan.

Education

He started studies at Kawoko Muslim Primary School from 1950-54 and later on joined Katuumu (Al – Siddiq Islamic Institute) from where he graduated as a teacher and Sheikh in 1960.

He was ordained (Okumusiba Ekitambaala) by H.E Shk. Swaib Semakula (Shk. Mukulu).

In 1961, at the request of Prince Badru Kakunguku Shk. Edirisa Lutaaya joined Kibuli S.S.S as a Teacher. He taught Islamic Studies and he was the Head of the Islamic Department.

He also served as the deputy Imaam of Kibuli Mosque. While teaching at Kibuli S.S, Shk. Lutaaya attained more secular education with the help of Haji Ntege Lubwama the then headmaster of Kibuli S.S.S.

Between 1963 and 1964, he specialized in Islamic propagation (Daawa) and carried out this noble duty in various parts of Uganda.

From 1967-1972 he worked in Uganda Coffee Marketing Board as a coffee Grader. In 1979, Shk. Lutaaya with Maulana Muhammad Ziwa Kizito, Shk. Zubair Bakar and Shk. Isa Yiga as their Secretary (Shk. Isa Yiga is currently heading the department of Zaka at UMSC), were the first Ugandans to start the Tabliq and Daawa Sect in Uganda. On top of them was Shk. Abdul Wahab Semakula (father to H.E Ambassador Ibrahim Mukiibi) who had started it a bit earlier though single handedly. They were later joined by Shk. Sulaiman Sessanga, Shk. Sirimani Farsi, Shk. Kayiwa Juma Zaid and Shk. Umar Bakar Semakula and many others. Haji Kibuye and Haji Nsereko Mutumba (The author), Haji Ibrahim Mangaasi, Haji Sulaiman Seremba (Flyway Bus), Muhammad Wamala Takuba picked interest in the group and were part of the youth wing.

Later on, many young and vibrant Muslims joined the group. Among them were Haruna Kanaabi, Buyondo and Hussein Musa Njuki (of Shariat Newspaper) among others. The offices of the Tabliq sect were initially at Bilal Islamic Institute (now Bat Valley Theatre). They were later moved to Kamokya and then Nakasero Mosque.

Tabliq gave a platform to young Muslims to express their ideas regarding the practice of Islam, political aspects and other social knowledge. This evolved into what was known as the “Open University” at Nakasero Mosque. Many Muslim intellectuals and young professionals like Hon. Hussein Kyanjo (the now MP Makindye West) were among those who gave inspirational lectures which empowered many Muslim youths. At this time, Amin had just been overthrown and Muslims were facing persecution from state operatives and Christian extremists. The ‘open university’ was one of the platforms used by young Muslim sheikhs and professionals to reorganize themselves politically, spiritually and economically.

The ‘five prayers’ at the Mosque initiative spearheaded by Erias Bisegerwa and other other members of Uganda Muslim Youth Assembly gained momentum, young Muslim preachers who could not preach on Mauledis were given a platform at Nakasero Mosque under the Tabliq sect, Muslims collected money that was used to pay fees for needy Muslim students. Among the beneficiaries of the school fees fund at Nakasero Mosque was Bashir Serunkuma, the Headmaster Namasuba UMEA and many others.

The Tabliq sect later gave birth to groups like Spidiqa Foudation, Jamuiyat Daawa Salafiyya led by Amir Ummah Shk. Muhammad Younus Kamoga, Salaf Foundation and the current Tabliq Community led by Amir Daulah Shk. Sulaiman Kakeeto.

In 1982, Shk. Lutaaya was one of the participants in a refresher course organized by the World Muslim League and he emerged with excellent performance. He was awarded a certificate qualifying him as a universal preacher and Da’i of the Islamic faith.

In 1983, he founded Islamic Center for Education and Research. In 1984, he rented premises at Kanyanya 4kms on Gayaza Road and started a school – Buziga Islamic Theological Institute with seven pupils and four members of staff. In his own words, Shk. Lutaaya popularly called Ustaz by his students said; “the seven pioneer pupils was so small a number, but meant a lot to this whole new idea”. These were: Asaad Lukwago, Wasswa Hassan, Yusuf Jjemba, Badru Mpindi, Rashida Mujuzi, Sarah Nakalule and Ashraf Katende.

The pioneer members of staff of Buziga Islamic Theological Institute were;
Shk. Muhammad Mukiibi – Head of Islamic and Religious Department,
Hajat Sarah Nakabuye – Headmistress,
Rose Nakayiza (late) – Nurse,
Safina Namalwa – Matron and
Badru Busagwa (late) – Warden.

In 1985, Shk. Lutaaya bought 20 acres of land in Buziga and in the following year the school was shifted from Kanyanya to its new swampy home in Buziga but larger than the previous one.

In 1990, the British Council named Buziga Islamic theological Institute as the model school for the child-to-child program in the country. Since then, the school was dubbed Award Winner in very many aspects.

Islamic Projects initiated by Shk. Lutaaya:

Earlier on in 1980s, Shk. Lutaaya had established the Islamic Center for Education and Research (ICFER); a Muslim founded social, cultural and education organisation. Under this organisation, he set up numerous Muslim projects which continue to support Muslims in Uganda. These include Mosques, clinics, Quran memorization centers and schools among others.

Mosques and other projects under the supervision of ICFER:
• Masjid Ibun Taymiya – Kikooto, Masaka
• Masjid Abi Ayoub Al-Answar – Tororo
• Masjid Salman Al-Faris – Kajansi
• Masjid Ali Bun Abi Talib – Kiwangala, Masaka
• Masjid Abu-Baker – Entebbe
• Masjid Mus-abi Bun Umar – Kyankole, Masaka
• Masjid Sswahaaba – Kagoyegoye Masaka

Clinics:
• Kawoko Health Center – Masaka
• Buziga Islamic Health Center

– Kampala Quran Memorisation Schools:
• Buziga Islamic Quran Memorisation center located at Buziga Islamic Theological Institute Schools:

Sheikh Lutaaya through the Islamic center for Education and Research established four schools in different parts of Uganda. These are:
• Buziga Islamic Theological Institute – Kampala
• Makerere Valley Islamic Nursery and Primary School – Kampala • Kikooto Islamic Primary School – Masaka
• Buyita Islamic Primary School – Kasawo

Other Structures set up by ICFER:
• Imam’s Quarters at Kajjansi
• Hostel for New Muslim converts

In addition to being a teacher and preacher, Shk. Lutaaya was an author. Among the books he authored include;
• ‘Doctrine, Correct Worship and Character in Islam’
• ‘Knowledge, source of faith and character
• ‘Okulunggamya Omukazi Omusiraamu” (Spiritual guidance of a Muslim Woman)

Others services offered by Sheikh Lutaaya:
• Supporting orphans in various schools.
• Organizing seminars for Sheikhs and Imams

Sheikh Lutaaya was passionate about young Muslims and he was always quick to act whenever it came to issues of empowering Muslim youth with knowledge, skills and otherwise. During his studies at Katuumu, his principal teacher and mentor was Shk. Muhamood Katende son of H.E Shk. Swaib Semakula (Shk. Mukulu). He studied with Shk. Zubair Bakar, Shk. Ali Sekyembe, Shk. Ibrahim Kivumbi, Maulana Muhammad Ziwa Kizito and many others.

By joining Katuumu Islamic School, he had the opportunity to go to the same school with Shk. Zubair Kayongo, Shk. Ahmad Mukasa, Shk. Saad Luwemba, Shk. Ishaaq Yusuf of Mbale, Dr. Abdul-kadir Balonde and many others. These were already at an advanced stage of studies when he joined.

Family

Among his brothers are Shk Ibrahim Kivumbi (with whom he studied at Katuumu) currently living at Katovu, Kajjansi on Entebbe Road, Shk. Hussein Kimbowa a teacher at Kitante Primary School and Muhammad M. Kabogoza of Kyankoore, Butuga in Bukomansimbi.

Shk. Lutaaya had 4 wives and these include: Hajat Nuru Nantongo Lutaaya, Hajat Nusifa Namutebi Nalongo Lutaaya and Hajat Fatuma Muhammad Lutaaya. We could not establish the name of the forth one.

He had 22 children and 12 of these are graduates. The rest are still persuing their studies. The graduates include: Yusuf Jemba, Abbas Lutaaya, Sadat Lutaaya, Ahmad Kimbowa, Mariam Nakiwala, Laila Lunkuse, Sumayya Nalutaaya and Faruk Buyungo. Some of these have first degrees and others have master’s degrees.

He died on Saturday night June 14th 2014 and he was buried on Sunday 15th at Kawempe Mbogo where Prince Nuhu Mbogo was buried.

Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish Muslim scholar and author wrote; “Since real ‘life’ is possible only through knowledge, those who neglect learning and teaching are considered ‘dead’ even though they are still alive, for we were created to learn and to communicate what we have learned to others. Those who are truly human continue to learn, teach and inspire others. It is difficult to regard as truly human those who are ignorant and have no desire to learn. It is also questionable whether a learned person, who does not pursue self-renewal and self-reform and thereby set an example for others, is truly human.”

Gulen goes on to say that those who enlighten others, seek happiness for them, and extend helping hands. They are like guardian angles that have such a developed and enlightened spirit. They struggle with disasters befalling society, stand up to ‘storms’, hurry to put out ‘fire’ and are always on the alert for possible shocks. He however cautions that although science and all branches of knowledge are beneficial to almost everyone, one cannot possibly acquire all of them, for according to him, people’s life spans and resources are limited. “

Therefore, learn and use only that which benefits yourself and humanity at large. Do not waste your life” Gulen states.

In the Holy Quran, Allah asks; “Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness and says – I am of those who bow in Islam”? Quran 41:33. Dear readers, after reading all the above narratives, what have you decided to call this man? Unless you have issues against this famous Ustaz which I don’t think you do; for sure he is a Muslim Hero though unsung.

The writer is the Spokesperson Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Tel: 0701409504 or 0772409504 Email: pro_umsc@yahoo.com

New Project in Mecca to defend the name of Prophet Muhammad(SAW)!

View of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The government of the Muslims’ most holy city of Makkah has designated one million square meter area for a new project to defend Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and offer the true teachings of Islam and its Prophet.

According to a report published on Tuesday, May 27, by the Saudi Gazette, the new project, titled “Peace be upon the Prophet,” was suggested to combat hate campaigns that have targeted Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in different countries.

Located at the Haram boundaries on the Al-Haramain Expressway, the project will give Muslims an easy access to the teachings of the Prophet.
The Wise Leader (Peace be upon him)

The project will include an exhibition, university, electronic gate center, library, printing press, translation center, hotels and other facilities

Moreover, the managers of the project will also oversee the printing of an encyclopedia on the Prophet (pbuh), his companions and Islam.

Made up of 500 volumes and 350,000 pages, the encyclopedia on Qur’an and Sunnah has been registered with the Ministry of Information in the Kingdom, and in other countries such as Egypt and Malaysia.

“The exhibition will consist of Allah’s 99 names, an explanation of the Prophet’s character and manners, Islam and other prophets and messengers,” the Gazette said.

The project library would include all material published about Prophet Muhammad and Islam in several languages. A media center will also include a number of satellite channels and media in different languages to highlight the cultural and educational teachings of Islam.

An electronic center for websites dedicated to the Prophet, a translation and printing centers would also be included in the project.

The university will specialize in the Qur’an and Shari`ah, and graduates will be granted certificates in such subjects.

Western media has allowed repeated insults of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

In September 2012, massive protests swept the Muslim world over a US-made film insulting Prophet Muhammad.

Scores of people were killed in the protests against the film titled “Innocence of Muslims”, which was produced by a California man convicted of bank fraud.

The insulting material, which was promote by anti-Qur’an pastor Terry Jones, has also caused strain between the Muslim world and the West over the freedom of expression.

A French magazine has also published insulting cartoons of the prophet on the pretext of freedom of expression.

Insulting the Prophet is considered blasphemous in Islam.

Five Muslims in World’s 100 Powerful Women

Five Muslim women have made it to Forbes’ annual list of the world’s 100 most powerful women, the announcement made after the 2014 edition was released on Wednesday, May 28.

The list of 100 women has been chosen from over 250 candidates from around the world from eight categories or power bases: billionaires, business, celebrity, finance, media, philanthropy and NGOs, politics and technology.

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Shiekh Hasina Wajid has been given the rank of 47 on the list, the highest among the five.

Bangladesh’s PM was followed by Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the Minister of International Cooperation and Development in United Arab Emirates at number 55.

From the business field, Saudi Arabia’s Lubna S. Olayan, CEO of Olayan Financing Company, was listed as the 86th most powerful woman.

The fourth Muslim woman who made it to the list was Sheikha Mayassa Al Thani; daughter of Qatar royal family and chairperson of Qatar Museums Authority. Al Thani has been ranked on 91.

The fifth place reserved by Muslim women was granted to Fatima Al Jaber at 94th rank. She is the Chief Operating Officer of leading construction firm Al Jaber Group in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The top-notch list was topped by powerful German Chancellor Angela Merkel who reserved the place for the fourth consecutive year.

Janet Yellen, the first-ever female chair of the Federal Reserve, made a strong debut in the number two spot.

This year’s list features nine heads of state, 28 CEOs, 18 entrepreneurs, 13 billionaires and nine celebrities, according to the business magazine’s summary.

Forbes says the 100 female leaders have a social media footprint that exceeds 812 million followers and fans.

Islam, as a divine religion, sets down rules that strike a balance between men’s responsibilities and women’s rights.

Woman is recognized by Islam as the full and equal partner of the man in the procreation of humankind.

By this partnership, she has an equal share in every aspect.

She is entitled to equal rights, she undertakes equal responsibilities, and she has as many qualities and as much humanity as her partner.

Palestine Celebrates First Football Trophy

Achieving their country’s first trophy in history, Palestine’s triumphant football team on Sunday, June 1, received a warm welcome from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who greeted the players in a ceremony in Ramallah.

“It is time for our people to celebrate this great victory you brought. You have raised our heads high, I wish you all success and progress,” Abbas said in a brief speech at the reception of the national team, Wafa news agency reported.

During the ceremony, Abbas met the team and posed with them for photographs, while holding the much-coveted cup.

Palestine’s football team won the Asia Challenge Cup last Friday in a match against the Philippines. The victory allowed Palestine to secure its place in the AFC Asia Cup that will be held next year in Australia.

The match is the first victory in an international soccer contest for the Palestinians since the establishment of the Palestine Football Federation in 1928, sport officials said.

“Congratulations to our people, Palestine today is proud of such an historical achievement,” Jibril Al-Rajoub, chairman of the Palestine Football Association, who watched the match among hundreds of fans in the West Bank city of Ramallah, told Reuters.

In Gaza City, thousands watched the match on large screens on the sandy beach, beating drums.

Mulago Hospital Mosque needs your help urgently!

Brothers and Sisters,
This mail is to request you to contribute generously to the construction of a fence, office space and a custodians room for Mulago Hospital Mosque.
Our Acc details are:

Acc Name; Mulago Hospital Mosque
Acc No: 9030005947994
Stanbic Bank, Wandegeya

A little background

When Mulago Hospital Mosque started, prayers were being conducted on the steps of 3rd floor, just opposite the intensive care unit. I prayed on these steps as well when I was an undergraduate medical student. Space was later allocated to the Muslim community to build the mosque near the mortuary, in the backyard of Mulago. Somehow, the mosque, as is usually the case, was built near the main entrance of Mulago hospital. The rest is history and please don’t discuss this negative history here.
Our mosque has several uniqueness

Mulago Mosque is administratively the property of Mulago Hospital but practically a mosque for Muslim patients, attendants and health workers. It doesn’t belong to Kibuli or Old Kampala or Salafia. It has no permanent citizens and please don’t ask me for any memoranda of understanding before you contribute, I have none!

Mulago Mosque has the Imaam and four deputies who never fight! I pray, Insha Allah, they do not fight. The Sheiks are: Shk Ibrahim Ntanda- Imaam, Shk Kiggundu Swaib-1st Deputy, Shk Yusuf Mutimba-Deputy, Shk Haruna Lubega- Deputy in charge of Jama Prayers and Sheik Muhammad Lubega. All these 5 Sheiks rarely stand behind the microphone to give Juma sermons because we usually have visiting sheiks to do the sermons, making every Juma different! Theirs is to mobilize other preachers.

Mulago mosque is responsible for destitutes (any one of you can be a destitute by the way) who, for example, are involved in road traffic accidents, their identities stolen by the road side or at the accident scene and are in comma with no relative or attendant! Or they have been abandoned by relatives who are tired of their chronic un-resolving illnesses. On a daily basis we give out about 40,000 -100,000/- to patients who need transport back home, or who need an X-ray or a type of medicine.
Mulago mosque takes care of the Dead!!! You guys on this forum will die, I swear!!! Not soon though, hopefully, Insha Allah.

Al-hamudu Lillah many people have contributed to our wellbeing. One Muslim, who doesn’t want his name mentioned, pays the monthly electricity bills and we never stand in the mosque to ask for electricity money. May Allah reward him abundantly.

Again a muslim who doesn’t want his name mentioned has re-painted the mosque, single handedly, of course by paying painters. It looks brand new now!
Listeners of Pearl FM 107.9 bought for us an ambulance, we request you to use it as it is a money generating project. If you have reservations, as I know you do, please don’t discuss them here, call Shk Ntanda on 0702519849 or 0772523727.
We have recently been faced with several challenges.

The lack of office space;

We usually stand under a tree and discuss mosque issues. We have now received generous support to start temporary offices, including 50 bags of cement (20 already delivered) and two lorries (magulu kkumi) of sand, also delivered. We need bricks, roofing materials and labour.
Water; Mulago water was disconnected for some months and one of the reasons was that water was wasted by hospital tenants and not directly by Mulago patients. A recent parliamentally decision was that every tenant pays their bills and we were each connected to a meter. The Mosque is in this category. At that time (2 months ago, in about March 2014) the mosque was indebted to national water to a tune of 12,000,000/=. Politically, National water was forced to re-connect the water back but I can assure you it won’t be long.

Fence;

There has been a recent construction of a private park outside the main gate. This is in addition to other pressures for space in Mulago, that I may not discuss here. We saw it fit that we construct a fence (Buggwe) around the mosque. Through contributions from Muslims we have been able to build the damp course and now are moving on to put a metallic fence. It is costed at 34,598,350/=. I can give you the break down if you will.
Custodian; we don’t pray Subuhi in Jama because nobody stays near by

We request you to contribute generously to these Mulago Mosque projects. Just deliver physical building materials, if you may, or deposit on our account or write to us a cheque or send us mobile money: Sheik Ntanda (0702519849 or 0772523727), Sheik Mutimba (0701525187 or 0782525186) or myself, Dr. Hakim Sendagire (0782466154 or 0702818314).
May Allah reward you abundantly

Hakim Sendagire MBChB, MSc, PhD
Chairman, Mulago Hospital Mosque

The Maximum Time to Live Away from Wife

The maximum limit a husband is allowed to be away from his wife is four months, or six months in the view of the scholars of the Hanbali School. This is the maximum period a woman can endure separation from her husband.

Exegetes of the Glorious Qur’an narrate the following incident in support of this opinion:

One night the Caliph `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) was making his rounds of Madinah when he heard a woman singing:

The night is long, darkness all around me;

I am sleepless, for I have no friend to play with.

By Allah, had there been no fear of Him,

This cot would be shaking from side to side.

Upon investigation, `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) found that the woman’s husband had been on a military expedition for a long time. He then asked his daughter, Hafsah, a widow of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) “How long can a woman endure separation from her husband?” She replied, “Four months.” As a consequence, he decided that he would not send a married man away from his wife for a period exceeding four months.

However, if your wife agrees to give up this right for more than this period, and allow you to travel until she is able to join you, then it is lawful and there is no wrong in this.

Allah Almighty knows best.

INFERNO AT UBBAYYIH QUR’AN MEMORIZATION CENTRE

Asalaam alaikum Brothers and Sisters,Just as we are coming to terms with the attack on our Da’awa Convoy, I have learned of the malicious attacks made on one of our Islamic Jewels in Uganda; Ubbayyih School located at Sekiwunga Hill off Bwebajja Entebbe Road.

News was broken by Hafith Sheikh Muhammad Bukenya after delivering his Khutbah at Masjid Musa. Alhamdulillah no life was lost, only property woth millions of shillings. The attackers clearly targeting students but Masha Allah most of them had gone for tahajjud prayers, so amazing is Allah’s protection.

The school administrators are appealing to the entire Ummah to make contributions towards the recovery from this gruesome act.
I know for a fact that this centre chuns out many a Hafith, who traverse the entire country facilitating Salaat Taraweeh in various mosques. Yet Ramathan is almost here!!!! May Allah enable us to rebuild this jewel and also offer all of protection Ameen.

You can contact Sheikh Hameed Nsubuga (Masjid Musa) or Sheikh Bukenya for contributions.

Many thanks to those who’ve already made contributions, may Allah reward you abundantly.

Mousa Kiberu.

Indian Actress Reverts to Islam

Famous young Indian actress Monica has decided to leave the life of lights behind her back, choosing to revert to Islam, don Islamic headscarf and quit the film industry, Times of India reported on Saturday, May 31.

“I don’t convert for the reason of love or money, am not such a person. I like Islam principles so that I converted as an Islam,” she was quoted by Muslim Mirror.

“Hereafter I won’t act in the film, it gives some pain but I don’t change my mind,” the young actress added.

According to Indian media, Monica’s decision was announced during a news conference on Friday in which she released photos showing her wearing traditional modest costume and a hijab.

Changing her name to MG Rahima However, she did not reveal reasons behind her decision to join the world’s fastest growing religion.

The Azhagi actress started her career as a child artiste in Tamil cinema and has acted in more than 50 films. She is also the popular face in other South Indian film industries like Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

Monica, who had won Tamil Nadu State Award as a best child actor for her performance in Vijaykanth starrer En Aasai Machan, is known for few of the Tamil movies like Azhagi, Imsai Arasan 23m Pulakesi and Silandhi.

In 2001, Monica had changed her name a Paravana for Malayalam film industry. The actress was last seen in Tamil film Jannal Oram, which was released in 2013, November.

Monica is not the first Indian celebrity to revert to Islam this year.

Earlier in February, reports said that both musicians AR Rahman and Yuvan Shankar Raja have taken the same decision to revert to Islam.

There are some 180 million Muslims in Hindu-majority India.

Let us pray for our Muslims elders who are so sick!

Assalamu alaikum,

Pray for our Muslim elders who are sick: Sh. Idris Lutaaya of Buziga is actually ill but alive. He is battling with Cancer and needs your prayers. He returned from India 2 days ago.

Abbey Semuwemba with his beloved grandfather on his last visit in London IN 2004.It was the same year Sheik Kulumba died. Sheikh Islam Ali Saad Kulumba(RIP) was Hajji Hassan Kibirige’s best friend.

On the same note other elders and servants of islam are also ailing including but not limited to Sh. Hussein Rajab Kakooza, Hajj Muhammad Wamala Takuba (both these attending treatment in Thailand).

Also sick is Hajji and hajat Hassan Kibirige of Kawempe. My Br. Hajj Nsubuga Ahmed has also gone for a review over his back problem.

May Allah grand all of them Shiifa.

Immam Kasozi

Does Islam Forbid Befriending Non-Muslims?

In the first place, we would like to stress that Islam urges all Muslims to deal kindly and justly with all people. Muslims should have good relations with all people. At school, at work, in your neighborhood, etc., you should be kind and courteous to everyone. Muslims are allowed to have non-Muslims as friends as long as they keep their own faith and commitment to Islam pure and strong. Allah has clearly forbidden Muslims from fighting those who fight not their faith or drive them out from their homes. Referring to this, [Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. For Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes and support others in driving you out, from turning to them for protection (or taking them as wali). Those who seek their protection they are indeed wrong- doers.] (Al-Mumtahinah 60: 8-9)

Islam teaches us that we should be friendly to all people. Islam teaches us that we should deal even with our enemies with justice and fairness. Allah says in the Qur’an in the beginning of the same Surat Al-Ma’dah: [O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealings and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is next to piety. Fear Allah, indeed Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.] (Al-Ma’dah 5 :8)

Moreover, Allah Almighty has described Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as “a mercy” to the worlds. He was a sign of Allah’s Mercy to all, Muslims as well as non-Muslims. In his kindness and fair treatment he did not make any difference between the believers and non-believers. He was kind to the pagans of Makkah and fought them only when they fought him. He made treaties with the Jews of Madinah and honored the treaties until they broke them.

He (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have received the Christians of Najran with kindness in his Masjid in Madinah. They argued with him about Islam, but he returned them with honor and respect. There are many examples from his life that show that he was the friendliest person to all people.

UMBS’S HAJJATI SEBYALA SCOOPS AN AWARD!

Assalamu alaikum brothers and sisters, our own Hajjati Sebyala has got another award.Every year Makerere University Business School honours one individual who in their view and sieved out of very many nonimations, has performed exceptionally well in their respective areas. This year 2014 Hajjat Aphwa Kawaase Sebyala was awarded the 2014 MUBS MERITORIOUS SERVICES AWARD

This was at the MUBs graduation on Friday 30th May,2014 at their Nakawa campus- Kampala. The Award was handed over by Dr. Christa Oslo, Vice Provost, draake University USA, who came all the way from the US to grace MUBS graduation with her presence.

Watch the video here

UMBS administrator, Abbey Semuwemba, congratulated Hajjati Sebyala:’You have made the Ummah proud. This is another award in just a period of 7 months after your award in Washington. I’m also glad to chart with the two great Kawaases in almost the same day after i received a surprise ‘hello’ call from Hajji Mukasa Kawaase who is a great friend’.

Marking the arrival of Islam to the East African country in 2012, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni praised Muslims for their spirit of tolerance and contributions to the society. Hajjat Sebyala Aphwa has certainly been part of this big time.

Museveni said interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims in Uganda has helped better clear the face of the Muslim community.

“The non-Muslim community has now come to understand the Muslim community better as a result of interaction among the different communities.”

Ugandan Muslims comprise some 14 percent of the predominantly Christian country’s 32-million population, according to the CIA Factbook.

MUSLIM RECONCILIATION AND UNITY SHOULD START WITH GRASS ROOT COMMUNITIES

Brothers and sisters, thank you for prayers and information and we pray to Allah to give quick recovery to our ailing elders.

On Sunday June 01st we marked 20 years after the death of the late Sheikh Zaid Kateregga Mugenyasooka, former President General of Africa Muslim Community Juma Sect Bukoto Nateete. He died on June 1st 1994 at Kibuli Muslim Hospital and was buried on the same day at Bukoto-Nsimbiziwoome.

The memorial duwa was held at his Ngando mosque, in Butambala District.

The incumbent AMC President General told Muslims to fight for their national cake be at the centre or in the kingdom. He recalled Muslim heroes that fought for their shares during the reigns of Mwanga, Kiweewa and Muteesa ll and said that, now Muslims should only be mere drivers of big men and women’s official vehicles, and they become proud of that, but they should be the officials or leaders themselves. We all uploaded him.

He also said that we should retain Muslim organisation because many of them own Muslim property including land where we have mosques and schools (especially in Buganda) and in case UMSC attempt to sell it, then the legitimate owners will come out to defend and protect it.

He said that Muslims did not form UMSC to surrender their property including land for sale, as it has become a syndrome.

The President General who is also the Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Sheikhs at Kibuli, came with a large entourage of prominent families of under members of Bukoto Nateete in 1920s, and many were introduced either as members of its National Executive Committee or Board of Trusties.

By 1972, AMC Bukoto Nateete and UMC Juma and Zukuri Kyaddondo and New Juma at Kibuli, were almost a Buganda affair. Both groups had some structure outside Buganda especially in Eastern and Western Uganda and l last saw a Bukoto Nateete District Imam of Bugisu in 1988 or 1989 at Kabuli mosque at Nalukolongo Nateete, but the credit we give to NAAM that was formed in 1965 and UMSC in 1972, is that they were national.

However, l tried to recall election of AMC Bukoto Nateete leadership and it was 20O1, and the term was five years, but it is now 2014, no elections, almost all officer bearers that were elected in 2001 are dead, and there are replacements, but we have never heard of elections. After the death of Sheikh Mugenyasooka, Sheikh Hussein Kasumba, among others, Bukoto Nateete (and it seems does not own Nateete mosque) was reduced an affair of a few families (including my own family) where my Paternal Uncle, Sheikh Haruna Ssuuna Mugenyasooka is the Vice President General, without the mandate of the members.

l looked around for any body hailing from Masaka, Mubende or Luwero, and probably Mukono, and there was no body. The National Executive Committee is a Kampala affair.

l am more well conversant with Greater Masaka where l know many mosques, schools and land that belong to Bukoto Nateete, some grabbed, but it may not be consern for these people. Ever since my father who was District Imaam Masaka died in 2002, no district meeting be executive or general has ever been held. l thank Imam Idi Kasozi for a vigorous campaign of building permanent modern mosques in Greater Masaka that is going on progressively.

Bukoto has another faction led by Haji Matembe. That is the worst. It even sells Muslim property as its own.

Upon the death of Sheikh Muhammad Kateregga Mugenyasooka on December 31st 2012 and was buried on January 1st 2013, we suggested that since most of the office bearers on both factions have died, we should reconcile and hold elections right from mosques. But each group just filled in vacant positions without the members’ mandate!

There is a similar story in SPIDIQA Foundation and Tabligh Community. l think Imaam Kasozi should not just put efforts at UMSC level alone, but also within organisations where factionalism is not ideological but in one way or another “self stomachism.”

Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi.

UMTA TURKEY TRIP

Dear Forum members,Kindly note that the Uganda Muslim Teachers’ Association trip to Turkey is scheduled for May 2015 and not 2014 as earlier communicated. We apologise for the mix up.

Registration is now open to all Muslim teachers, educators, directors of schools, members of SMCs/BOGs, CSOs, Parents, community leaders and business persons dealing with schools.

MATOVU J. ISA
0772446501

UMBS’s Hon.Asuman Kiyingi disturbed by the case of Mariam Ibrahim, a Sudanese woman sentenced to death allegedly for refusing to revert to Islam

Apostasy, or riddah in Arabic, literally means defection or backsliding.As an Islamic legal term, it means denouncing Islam as one’s religion by a Muslim.

‘The case of Mariam Yahya Ibrahim, a Sudanese woman sentenced to death allegedly for refusing to revert to Islam after becoming Christian is very disturbing. It projects Islam as some kind of prison where believers are locked up with no choice or freedom of conscience. Luckily there is no where in the Holy Quran where death is prescribed as punishment for change of religion. Let us all unite in saving the beautiful face and image of Islam by asking the Sudanese authorities to release Mariam and repeal the repressive unislamic laws on apostacy.’,Hon.Asuman Kiyingi told UMBS.com.

There is no single verse in the Qur’an that prescribes an earthly punishment for apostasy. Verses about apostasy in the Qur’an speak only about God’s punishment of the apostate in the Hereafter. The following Qur’anic verses illustrate two examples:

[Your enemies will not cease to fight against you till they have turned you away from your faith, if they can. But if any of you should turn away from his/her faith and die as a denier [of the truth] – these it is whose works will bear no fruit in this world and in the life to come; and these it is who are destined for the fire, therein to abide.] (Al-Baqarah 2:217)

[Behold, as for those who come to believe, and then deny the truth, and again come to believe, and again deny the truth, and thereafter grow stubborn in their denial of truth – God will not forgive them, nor will guide them in any way.] (An-Nisaa’ 4:137)

It is important to note in the above verse that if the Qur’an prescribes capital punishment for apostasy, then the apostate should be killed after the first instance of apostasy. As such there would be no opportunity to “again come to believe and again deny the truth, and thereafter grow stubborn in their denial of truth”. In spite of these acts of repeated apostasy, no capital punishment is prescribed for them.

The silence of the Qur’an on any prescribed mandatory capital for apostasy is quite revealing. More revealing is the fact that there is overwhelming evidence in the Qur’an of freedom of conscious, belief, and worship. The following verses gives an example of this:

[And say [O Muhammad]: ‘The truth [has now come] you’re your Sustainer: let, then, him or her who wills, believe in it, and let him or her who wills, reject it.] (Al-Kahf 18:29)

[There shall be no coercion in matters of faith.] (Al-Baqarah 2:256)

[And so, [O Prophet,] exhort them; your task is only to exhort. You can not compel them [to believe].] (Al-Ghashiyah 88:21-22)

[Thus, [O Prophet,] if they argue with you, say, “I have surrendered my whole being unto God, and [so have] all who follow me’ – and ask those who have been vouchsafed revelation aforetime, as well as the unlettered people, ‘Have you [too] surrendered yourselves unto Him?’ And if they surrender themselves unto Him, they are on the right path; but if they turn away – behold, your duty is no more than to deliver the message: for God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His creatures.] (Aal `Imran 3:20)

It is inconceivable to attain that peace if a person is forced or coerced into becoming a Muslim or remaining a Muslim against his or her free will. It is also inconceivable to say, “Yes, no one is forced to become a Muslim, but once he or she accepts Islam willingly, it is forbidden to reject it.” Such an argument under whatever excuse or justification is inconsistent with the many conclusive verses in the Qur’an on freedom of belief which is above all an inner feeling of acceptance and conviction.

Marriage Steps in Islam

As far as marriage is concerned, there are certain customs and traditions that Muslims observe in many Muslim countries and communities such as khitbah, nikah, rukhsati and walimah, et cetera.

What we are concerned about here is that Muslims should carry out such marriage-related customs according to the teachings of Islam and apply the teachings of Islam as explained in the Shari`ah.

In Islam, marriage can take several steps:

1-Khitbah: This is engagement whereby the man and woman decide to get engaged to marry at their convenient time. During this time, they and their families try to know each other. During the time of engagement, the couple is not married and they are not allowed to be alone with each other. It is forbidden for them to have intimate relations during this time. The parties can break the engagement without going through the process of divorce or talaq. They should return the engagement ring and other gifts, but this can be waived if there is mutual agreement and understanding.

2-Nikah: This is a formal, official and legal marriage. The nikah is performed by the Imam, the official religious authority, or any recognized person. It requires the presence of at least two witnesses, the mahr or the marital gift from the groom to his bride, the khutbah (sermon) of nikah to join the couple together in the Name of Allah.

After nikah, the couple becomes husband and wife. In case they want to break they have to have proper procedure of divorce or talaq. If the groom divorces, he has to pay the half of the mahr and return any gifts that he received from the bride’s family unless they do not want him to do so. There might be other marriage expenses and matters that they have to resolve with mutual agreement or through legal proceedings. The bride does not have to observe any `iddah or post-divorce waiting period if the marriage was not consummated.

3-Rukhsati: Literally it means “sending off”. This term is used in Indio-Pakistan area. In Shari`ah, it is called “zifaf”. In Arab countries, it is commonly called “dukhul” or “dukhlah”. It means the consummation of marriage. Now, the spouses can be alone and can have their intimate conjugal relations. Rukhsati takes place after the nikah. After rukhsati, the spouses begin living together as husband and wife. In most cases the rukhsati takes place within a few hours after nikah, but sometimes families postpone the consummation of marriage or rukhsati for a later time. They may do it for various social or personal reasons. Sometimes, the consummation is delayed because the family wants to have a big party to invite many relatives and friends to celebrate their marriage. Sometimes, the couple decide to delay consummation because one or both spouses want to finish their studies or would like to make better arrangement for their residence, et cetera. There could be many reasons for the postponement of consummation and it could be for few months or years. This is permissible in Islam.

4-Walimah: This is a special feast to which the groom and his family invite their relatives and friends as well as the bride’s family and friends and they celebrate the marriage. Walimah is a Prophetic Sunnah that is highly recommended. It is a kind of formal announcement of the formation of this new family. In various countries, Muslims have different customs of walimah. It is not required to have the walimah after rukhsati. It can be done before rukhsati or at the time of rukhsati.

In some Muslim countries and communities there are some other customs, but these four are the most common Muslim traditions in marriage.

Allah Almighty knows best.