Sheikh Ramadhan Nsanja Mulindwa, the Kadhi Luweero Muslim District has thrown his weight behind the president’s directive, saying Islam teaches respect and obedience to guidelines from authorities especially if they are intended to preserve life.
Defying the ban on religious gathering in the wake of the corona virus threat is tantamount to committing suicide in Islam, Sheikh Ramadhan Nsanja Mulindwa, the Kadhi Luweero Muslim District has warned.
It comes a few hours after president; Yoweri Museveni banned religious gatherings including prayers in Churches, Mosques and open air preaching programs as part of the preventive measures against the corona virus.
The corona virus pandemic has already claimed over 8000 people and affected over 200,000 others around the world.
Sheikh Ramadhan Nsanja Mulindwa, the Kadhi Luweero Muslim District has thrown his weight behind the president’s directive, saying Islam teaches respect and obedience to guidelines from authorities especially if they are intended to preserve life.
He explains that the Quran warns Muslims against throwing themselves in destruction and exposing themselves to death.
According to Sheikh Mulindwa, those who will attend the gatherings end up infected with corona will be in breach of Islamic teaching and appear like their committed suicide.
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Kasana Mosque in Luweero town, which hosts over 50 Muslim faithfuls during the daily prayers, remained under lock and key on Thursday after the president’s directive took effect.
Umar Walugembe, the Director Hamza Schools welcomed the guidelines and promised to adhere, saying they were announced in good faith.
He also noted that Islam prohibits people with contagious diseases from attending prayers in the mosque and instead confines them to their homes.
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Hadijjah Mirembe is a regular worshiper at Kasana mosque. She explains that Islam doesn’t compel women to pray in mosques like men.
Mirembe says in the past she has performed her prayers at home and will continue doing the same to safe guard herself against the virus.
But Kisekka Ssaka, the Secretary Abaggalana Mosque in Luweero, said they will continue with communal prayers in the mosque but observe other guidelines like washing hands and observe social distance to avoid infection.
Kisekka says they haven’t seen any reason why they shouldn’t pray in the mosque because the country hasn’t recorded a single corona case.
Story by Brian Luwaga
