KAMPALA, Uganda — Muslim leaders used Eid Al Adha celebrations at the Old Kampala National Mosque on Wednesday to call for greater Muslim representation in Uganda’s newly announced Cabinet, while also urging unity, sacrifice and reforms in the management of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Thousands of Muslims gathered at the mosque for Eid Al Adha prayers, one of the most important festivals in Islam, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah before God provided a ram instead.
During the celebrations, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje congratulated Muslims in Uganda and across the world for reaching the holy day and prayed for pilgrims who traveled to Mecca for Hajj this year.
“I pray Almighty Allah to accept the Hajj of those brothers and sisters,” the Mufti said, adding that those who observed the Day of Arafah through fasting would also be rewarded.
The Mufti, however, raised concern over what he described as the commercialization of Hajj, saying the pilgrimage was increasingly being turned into a business enterprise.
“Hajj has gone beyond being a religious ritual. Some are making it a business enterprise,” he said.
He accused some individuals, including people allegedly connected to government structures, of interfering with the allocation of pilgrimage slots.
According to the Mufti, President Yoweri Museveni had offered 100 Hajj slots to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, but only 17 beneficiaries managed to travel to Mecca.
“The 83 were grabbed by those who purport to be working for the state and representing the government,” he said.
He said the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council would engage the relevant authorities and the president to address the matter and streamline future pilgrimages.
The Mufti also used the occasion to urge Muslims to embrace the spirit of sacrifice beyond receiving donated animals during Eid celebrations. He thanked organizations, especially from Turkey and other Muslim countries, for distributing cows, goats and meat to communities in Uganda.
He challenged wealthy Muslims to actively participate in sacrificing animals and supporting Islamic obligations.
“You find somebody with a herd of cattle, but he does not want to sacrifice,” he said.
Eid Al Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, marks the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims traditionally slaughter animals such as goats, sheep, cows and camels, with the meat shared among family, friends and vulnerable people in society.
The Secretary General of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Haji Abbas Sekyanzi Mulubya, said this Islamic year’s theme focuses on “Attainment of Righteousness Through Sacrifice and Alms Giving.”
The event was also attended by Mohammed Wazir and several political and religious leaders.
In one of the strongest political messages of the day, the Mufti expressed disappointment with the number of Muslims included in the newly announced Cabinet lineup.
“On behalf of the Muslims, I request the government to look into the sacrifice and support raised by Muslims.”
He called on Muslim leaders appointed to government positions to promote unity within the Muslim community instead of deepening divisions.
“Muslims are in need of unity,” he said.
The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda, who represented the government, praised the Mufti for promoting unity among Muslims and thanked Muslims for supporting the ruling government during the elections.
Kabanda said government leaders would work with Muslim leaders to investigate challenges affecting Ugandans traveling for Hajj, including reports of pilgrims failing to secure visas or being stranded despite making payments.
“We want to find out why people remain at the airport. Why people do not get visas. What happens,” she said.
She also urged Muslims to continue working together and strengthening Muslim founded institutions such as schools and hospitals across the country.
Uganda is home to a significant Muslim population, with Islam being the second largest religion after Christianity. The Old Kampala National Mosque remains one of the country’s most prominent Islamic centers and hosts major national Islamic celebrations.
