President Museveni Hosts Iftar Dinner at State House, Praises Muslim Community for Ramadan Observance and Emphasizes Unity and Economic Empowerment
'We are left with only a few days for Ramadan to end. We pray that God keeps us safe until the end,' he said.
President Museveni also urged believers that as they worship God, they should also think about working towards improving their household incomes.
'You the religious leaders, I think you should begin helping your people to develop the thinking of worshipping and working as well,' he said.
President Museveni further lauded the Muslims for finally embracing the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative.
'I'm glad that you finally accepted my PDM money because some people had misinterpreted that money, saying that it has riba (interest). I'm not profiteering from you, the government of Uganda is our grandparent, and this grandparent gives you money every year per parish and this money is yours, it's not going back to the government so that's not profiteering,' he said.
'The five percent we are putting on the Shs1m for each year is in order to keep the value for that money so that it is able to maintain the purchasing power of a product.'
Furthermore, the President commended Muslims for listening to the NRM message of unity.
'I want to thank you for listening to our message of unity. You can see how the world is in chaos because of misinterpreting religion. I don't think God said the Catholics and Protestants should fight Muslims or vice versa. I have never read it anywhere when God is saying that you must have sectarianism,' he noted.
'Those people who do discrimination are really greedy people. The way you have been introducing yourselves, the Sunnis, Shia, Ahmadiyas are all here. I think that's very good; that's the spirit of God in my view.'
President Museveni also cautioned against interfering in the freedom of worship.
'Why do you interfere in the freedom of worship? Let them worship as long as they don't break the law.'
President Museveni also contributed 10 tractors to the 10 Muslim regions in Uganda.
The Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo thanked President Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni for their generosity in extending an invitation to the Muslim community to celebrate the State Iftar dinner annually.
'Your Excellency, Uganda is one of the countries where all religious denominations are respected, honoured, valued and given maximum freedom of worship,' she said.
'In fact, freedom of worship in Uganda is Constitutional and all this, Your Excellency, is due to your strategic and visionary leadership and the NRM good practice of non-discrimination. We thank you very much Your Excellency for permitting all the people of Uganda to worship where they feel comfortable.'
The Vice President also thanked the Muslim community for supporting President Museveni and the NRM government.
Representing the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramathan Mubajje, the First Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Waiswa Muhammad Ali thanked President Museveni for hosting the Muslim community for an Iftar dinner annually.
'We do not take this for granted,' he said.
Sheikh Waiswa also commended the President for standing with the Muslim community in fostering unity, patriotism, democracy and socio-economic transformation through various government programs.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
US Muslim leaders boost security after mosque ‘attacks'
After a spate of vandalism reports involving graffiti at a few mosques in Texas and California, Muslim leaders there have stepped up existing efforts to keep their sacred spaces and community members safe. The incidents and subsequent hypervigilance add to what many American Muslims say has already been a charged climate amid the fallout in the US from the Israel-Hamas war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated Gaza. The war started in October 2023 with a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel. 'The past two years have been extremely difficult for American Muslims,' said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, national deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organisation. A constant stream of images showing the death, destruction and ongoing starvation in Gaza has taken a toll, said Mitchell, as has a rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry in the US. He pointed to one of the most egregious examples of that bigotry: After the war started, an Illinois man killed a 6-year-old Palestinian American Muslim boy and wounded his mother in a hate-crime attack. The recent vandalism reports have left some worried and frustrated - but not entirely surprised. 'Since October 2023, we've definitely seen rise in Islamophobia,' said Rawand Abdelghani, who is on the board of directors of Nueces Mosque, one of the affected mosques in Austin, Texas. 'Anti-Palestinian, anti-immigrant, all of that rhetoric that's being said ... it has contributed to things like this happening.' Nueces security footage showed someone, their face partially covered, spray-painting what appears to be Star of David symbols at the property. CAIR Austin said similar incidents were reported at two other Austin mosques. They all seemingly happened on the same night in May, in what the group described as part of 'a disturbing pattern of hate-motivated incidents.' It called for increased security patrols and protective measures. Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR Austin operations manager, called them an intimidation attempt. Less than two weeks earlier, someone had spray-painted graffiti at the Islamic Centre of Southern California, including the Star of David on an outer wall there, centre spokesperson Omar Ricci said. 'In light of what's going on within Palestine and the genocide in Gaza, it felt like an attack,' said Ricci, who's also a reserve Los Angeles Police Department officer. Some specifics remained unresolved. The LAPD said it opened a vandalism/hate crime investigation and added extra patrols, but added it has neither a suspect nor a motive and noted that nonreligious spaces were also targeted. Associated Press Washington: After a spate of vandalism reports involving graffiti at a few mosques in Texas and California, Muslim leaders there have stepped up existing efforts to keep their sacred spaces and community members safe. The incidents and subsequent hypervigilance add to what many American Muslims say has already been a charged climate amid the fallout in the US from the Israel-Hamas war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated Gaza. The war started in October 2023 with a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel. 'The past two years have been extremely difficult for American Muslims,' said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, national deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organisation. A constant stream of images showing the death, destruction and ongoing starvation in Gaza has taken a toll, said Mitchell, as has a rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry in the US. He pointed to one of the most egregious examples of that bigotry: After the war started, an Illinois man killed a 6-year-old Palestinian American Muslim boy and wounded his mother in a hate-crime attack. The recent vandalism reports have left some worried and frustrated - but not entirely surprised. 'Since October 2023, we've definitely seen rise in Islamophobia,' said Rawand Abdelghani, who is on the board of directors of Nueces Mosque, one of the affected mosques in Austin, Texas. 'Anti-Palestinian, anti-immigrant, all of that rhetoric that's being said ... it has contributed to things like this happening.' Nueces security footage showed someone, their face partially covered, spray-painting what appears to be Star of David symbols at the property. CAIR Austin said similar incidents were reported at two other Austin mosques. They all seemingly happened on the same night in May, in what the group described as part of 'a disturbing pattern of hate-motivated incidents.' It called for increased security patrols and protective measures. Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR Austin operations manager, called them an intimidation attempt. Less than two weeks earlier, someone had spray-painted graffiti at the Islamic Centre of Southern California, including the Star of David on an outer wall there, centre spokesperson Omar Ricci said. 'In light of what's going on within Palestine and the genocide in Gaza, it felt like an attack,' said Ricci, who's also a reserve Los Angeles Police Department officer. Some specifics remained unresolved. The LAPD said it opened a vandalism/hate crime investigation and added extra patrols, but added it has neither a suspect nor a motive and noted that nonreligious spaces were also targeted. Associated Press
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Saudi forces arrest pilgrim for raising Palestinian flag in Mecca
Saudi security forces arrested an Egyptian pilgrim at the Grand Mosque in Mecca after he raised the Palestinian flag beside the Kaaba and called for an end to Gaza's siege and starvation. The actions by the Saudi authorities has triggered widespread condemnation. Footage shared online shows the man crying out 'Wa Islamah!', a phrase used historically to express anguish when Islam or Muslims are under threat, as he pleads for urgent intervention to help Gaza's starving population. The emotional scene, captured and circulated on social media, shows the pilgrim saying 'the children of Gaza are dying. O Muslims!'. Seconds later, Saudi officers appear and detain him inside the mosque. The incident has reignited debate over Saudi Arabia's strict bans on political expression at Islam's holiest sites. Authorities prohibit all slogans and symbols, including national flags, during Hajj and Umrah, arguing such measures protect the sanctity of worship. However, critics accuse the kingdom of using these restrictions to stifle support for Palestine and suppress expressions of Muslim solidarity. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters In 2023, a British pilgrim was detained for wearing a white keffiyeh and a Palestinian-coloured prayer bead. Beyond Mecca, Saudi authorities have reportedly launched a broader crackdown on citizens who criticise Israel or voice solidarity with Gaza online. Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rose to power in 2017, rights groups have documented a surge in arrests linked to peaceful speech, particularly posts viewed as critical of the kingdom's foreign policy or regional alliances. As Israel's war on Gaza continues, the arrest in Mecca has deepened concerns that public support for Palestine is being criminalised in Saudi Arabia.
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Filipino Times
Marcos Urges Iglesia ni Cristo to Remain Government Ally Amid Differences
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) to continue supporting the government, even as the influential religious group has recently expressed disapproval of some administration actions—particularly those involving the Duterte family. In a message marking INC's 111th founding anniversary on Sunday, Marcos praised the group for being 'model citizens and faithful servants of God,' citing their contributions to charity, community service, and social harmony. 'As we mark your 111th year, I hope you remain partners in our pursuit of a strong and orderly society,' he said in Filipino. The President emphasized that his administration remains aligned with the INC's mission to foster a peaceful and prosperous nation. Despite recent political tensions, including the group's subtle criticism of policies affecting former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies, Marcos highlighted unity through shared values and faith. 'By continuing to follow God's teachings, I believe we can overcome any challenge and reach our aspirations as a nation,' he added.
