His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda, has flagged off the first batch of pilgrims to the Holy City of Mecca in the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah and commonly shortened to Makkah, in a desert valley in western Saudi Arabia, is Islam’s holiest city as it’s the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the faith itself.
Speaking at the send off held at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council headquarters, Mubajje congratulated the pilgrims upon reaching their life moment to go for Hajj (pilgrimage) rituals for the year 2022.
“You have cause to be thankful to the Almighty Allah for showering you with his divine blessings. You are among the chosen few in the country in the aftermath of two years when Muslims the world over couldn’t perform Hajj due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many were unable to go due to many factors that include the above required age of 65 as was set by the Saudi government,” Mufti Mubajje remarked.
Quoting several verses from the Glorious Quran, Mufti Mubajje drew illustrations to admonish pilgrims on this life journey to exercise total commitment, humility and carry physical provisions in form of reasonable finances but, above all, exercise piety and purify their souls.
“This demonstrates that performing Hajj rituals leads someone to a high level of spiritual enrichment and growth in presence of the Lord and in the hereafter they will be rewarded with the highest level of paradise,” he said.
He advised the pilgrims never to waste their precious time and carry on with their lifestyle like they were before traveling for Hajj but rather intensify their devotion by showing inner gratitude to God for his guidance, life, protection, bounties and praise him as they circumambulate the Holy Kaabah and tour various holy stations.
He urged them to pray for their own well-being, their families, colleagues, and leaders both political and religious, and the country to beseech the Almighty Allah to restore peace and sanity in the entire world.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyo, the UMSC Secretary for Hajj, informed the Mufti that a similar function had been organized in Iganga and Mbale for pilgrims from Eastern Uganda.
He disclosed that they had concluded the final arrangements including vaccination against yellow fever and conducted COVID-19 testing 72 hours prior to departure on June 30, 2022.
Sheikh Erias Kigozi, the Kadhi of Wakiso Muslim District and Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga, the Amiir Ummah and head of the Nakaseero Mosque-based Jamiat Al Dawa Al Salafiya, also advised the pilgrims to utilize the rare opportunity to seek for pardon and prepare to physically see what they have learned for many years.
In attendance were; Haj Muhamood Kateregga Namuguzi the UMSC Executive Committee Member, Members of the Management including Haj Wahab Rugasa, the Administration Secretary, Sheikh Muhammad Murshid Luwemba, the Secretary for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Munir Ssebintu, the in-charge of Halal, Sheikh Juma Cucu Bakhit, the Secretary for Education, Sheikh Imran Abdnoor Ssali, the Secretary for Dawah, Sheikhat Raadhiyya Namakula Secretary for Women and Youths Affairs, Mr. Muhammad Ali Aluma, the Secretary for Social Services and Mr. Musa Lukwiya Secretary for Awqaf, among others.
