Muslims across Uganda have commemorated the IDD-ul-Adhuha celebrations with a call for unity, peace and repentance.
Tororo District Khadi Sheikh Nasur Koire said the Muslim community should disassociate itself from disunity and renew its morals.
He emphasised the need for forgiveness and constructive dialogue. ‘IDD-ul-Adhuha reminds us that true strength lies in compassion and togetherness.’
Emphasising that supporting vulnerable neighbours helps build social cohesion and reduce tensions.
At Uthman Mosque, in Kitgum District, Uthman`s Dream Incorporated, a diaspora-based Islamic charity organisation, donated 40 cows to the Islamic community as part of this year`s IDD-ul-Adhuha celebration.
Imam Hassan Batali said the support was timely and urged more people to support the vulnerable.
At the Gaddafi National Mosque, hundreds of Muslims attended the prayer officiated over by the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, who urged Muslims to engage effectively in governance affairs.
He also criticised President Yoweri Museveni over what he described as unfair representation of Muslims in the new appointment of Ministers announced on Tuesday evening.
‘Yesterday I saw the lineup of the new Cabinet list, but when I looked, I was looking for somebody like Hajjat or Haji Muslim; not until the ninth line did I start seeing a few. The whole list has got a few Muslims,’ Sheikh Mubajje said.
The Uganda Mufti also urged the appointed Muslim leaders who were appointed to champion unity among the Muslim fraternity, rather than divisions, while implementing government programmes.
In Ntagamo and Rukiga Districts, Muslims celebrated the day without slaughtering animals for their feasts due to the quarantine on the movement, and sale of animals and animal products because of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the area.
The Ntungamo District Khadi Sheikh Swales Kahangirwe noted that expensive acaricides and vaccines make farmers fail to have their animals vaccinated, which makes control of the diseases difficult.
He called on the government to support the farmers, noting that their livelihoods have been affected.