KAMPALA – Muslims have been urged to spend within the means as the world economies bear the brunt of Covid-19.
The Muslims on Sunday celebrated Eid ul-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, under lockdown.
And several Muslim leaders called on the faithful to work to ensure that they do not waste their limited resources on huge celebrations and also work towards ensuring economic independence.
Mbarara district Amir Sheikh Kassim Kayaya said coronavirus but noted this has provided good lessons on economic independence.
“For example my friends the Imams who used to depend on collections from believers are now going through hard times. This is a lesson that as a religious leader or any other individual you have to work towards economic independence,” Sheikh Kayaya said.
Acholi Muslim District Khadi Sheikh Musa Khelil also urged people to use the available resources sparingly.
“People should not indulge in unnecessary celebrations or visit. Times are hard,” Sheikh Khalil said during prayers on a local radio station in Gulu.
“I advise my Muslim community to stay home. Children must stop loitering. Let us use this time to pray for our neighbors who have high coronavirus cases like Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan. We pray for the Muslims who are in war torn areas of Libya, Yemen and other places.”
During a televised address from Old Kampala mosque, Mufti Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje called for opening of places of worship.
Sheikh Mubajje said the world needs prayers to heal during this difficult time of Coronavirus pandemic.
“We want the government to consider the following; opening houses of worship. Prayers are among those essential activities as our motto goes, ‘For God and my Country’. I also ask government to consider waiving water and electricity bills for this period we have been in lockdown,” he said.
