H.E. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda has hosted a delegation of Nigerian students in various Ugandan Universities at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council- UMSC Headquarters in Old Kampala.
The students were drawn from the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria in Uganda-MSS UG and Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria(MSS) led by their Ameer and President, Aliyu Hussaini and Muhammad Imran Yusuf respectively.
The duo told the Mufti they decided to pay a courtesy call to his office to enable his office to get acquainted with their activities.
They requested the Mufti to be their father’s head as they go on with their activities including studies.
“Your Eminence, Muslims are brethren wherever they live. So, we are now staying in Uganda and you’re the Grand Mufti accept to be our father” remarked Ameer Aliyu Hussaini Umar.
Adding that they face several challenges including the fact that they are not permitted to operate small businesses that could support their welfare, harassment from security agencies especially the Police when they are found in possession of foreign currencies especially over US$ 5000 and are perceived to be wrong elements.
On his part, Muhammad Imran Yusuf, stunned the Mufti when he read out his biography and gave a brief background of the Association he represents in Uganda.
He explained that the association started in Nigeria way back in the 1950s purposely to enable Muslim students at various levels of academia to remain focused and protect their Islamic identities.
In his welcoming remarks, the Mufti informed his guests that they should strive to accomplish their studies. He also recounted the achievements registered by his administration since he assumed the office of the Mufti.
“We resolved to work together with Leaders of Other religious denominations purposely to demonstrate to our fellow countrymen and beyond that Our Deen (Islam) advocates for peaceful co-existence,” remarked Mufti.
“We resolved to work together with Leaders of Other religious denominations purposely to demonstrate to our fellow countrymen and beyond that Our Deen (Islam) advocates for peaceful co-existence,” remarked Mufti Mubajje.
He explained that this is was the reason behind the establishment of the Interreligious Council of Uganda- IRCU and African Councils of Religious Leaders for Peace- ACRL where he co-chaired with Cardinal Dr. John Onaiyekan, who retired recently from the Office of the Archbishop of Abuja and globally Members of Religions For peace international Headquarters in the US.
He said all these are geared towards promoting peace and the common good in the entire world. The Mufti further shared the light moments he had with World Religious Leaders such as Pope Francis, the former Nigerian Head of State Gen.
Olusegun Obasanjo and Sir Al-Haj Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of the Sokoto caliphate who in turn paid a courtesy call on him during his visit to Uganda and. The Mufti pledged to provide the necessary support to the students and advised them to draft a document.
