The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, on Thursday April 14, 2022 hosted Muslims for an Iftar Dinner at Parliament House.
In her remarks, the Speaker said that there was need to look out for the less privileged during the holy month of Ramadan before gifting Shs 50 million to the Al-Hidaya Mosque in Kabowa, a suburb of Kampala.
“You need to dedicate this year’s Ramadan to giving to the poor. Leading by example, the Speaker’s Office will donate Shs50 million to the Al-Hidaya Mosque in support of promoting the work of Almighty Allah,” she said.
The Speaker added: “Fasting in the Koran are two intercessors from the servants of Allah on the day of resurrection the first will say: ‘Oh Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.’ ”
Among added that the expression she shared highlights the importance of fasting and the Muslim brethren should take advantage of the season to multiply their praises and worship the Almighty Allah.
The dinner was also attended by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, MPs, staff and Muslims from across the country.
The guest speaker, Dr Abdul Hafiz Walusimbi, a renowned Muslim scholar, requested the 11th Parliament to make provision for the Khadi courts where they would as Muslims, be able to discipline their own.
“The Constitution of Uganda allows us to have freedom of worship but they did not make provision for the Khadi courts. We all know the backlog in the courts of law. Working on having the Khadi courts will help reduce on these many cases in the courts,” he said.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Muslim Group, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, asked the Parliamentary Commission to consider expanding the mosque at Parliament to cater for the growing number of Muslim faithful.
Parliament has over the last six years organised the Iftar Dinner, as a way of demonstrating solidarity with the Muslim fraternity in Uganda.