By Godwin Abedican

Arua

In 2008 the community of Muhibeen in Arua city, laid foundation of Muhibeen Mosque in Arua City in place known as Asuru. Later on in 2013 the mosque received support during a mega fundraising organized by West Nile Islamic Development Forum (WENIDEFO) to support its construction.

Following years of its operation, between 2021 and 2022, a company in agreement with the community of Muhibeen mosque entered an agreement for the installation of a network antennae on top of the mosque.  This installation is the genesis of the conflict over the ownership of the mosque since it was registered as a private entity.

In a bid to raise funds for the completion of a structure “rentals” for that matter, the management of the mosque organized a fundraising which is scheduled for Saturday 2^nd September 2023.

As demanded by the Public Collections Act, CAP 293, the management of the mosque wrote to the police seeking permission and clearance to hold the said fundraising at the mosque.

However a separate letter dated 25^th August 2023, from the office of the district Khadi to the Muslims of Arua Muslim district council, indicates that,  on that same day 25^th August 2023, there was a meeting at the office of the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Arua, which resolved that, the said fundraising should not take place, rather ordered the office of the district Khadi to organize elections in Muhibeen mosque ltd on Friday 1^st September 2023, to get leaders of the mosque, with the letter further warning that, any commotion or insecurity shall be dealt with accordingly, while also warning against what they termed unlawful collection of monies from members of the public.

 
Part of the letter that was written on August 25th

Speaking in an interview, the district Khadi says as Muslims they treasure peace and do not want commotion in the city over religious in fights. According to him, as the leadership of the Muslims there is no way they shall allow such a fundraising where someone is raising money for his own company to take place. “Pertaining Muhibeen Mosque, where sheikh Safi Drani has registered the mosque as his property or company, I think so long as I am still alive, sheikh will not own that mosque as his company. He can have a land for his company if given by anyone else or given to him and his people who are supporting him, but that mosque in Mastura, Muhibeen, is for Muslims of Arua under the leadership of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).

Therefore one thing should stand clear that, the fundraising which was supposed to be done for the company we shall not allow it to take place through thick and thin," the Khadi explained.

In a twist of the events, the management of the mosque, in a reply letter dated 30^th August 2023 from the police headquarters in Kampala, in reference to their previous request, received a reply indicating they can hold the fundraising in line with the law, which letter was copied to the RPC, The Regional Traffic Officer west Nile And division police commander Ayivu east.

Speaking during a press conference on Thursday 31^st august 2023, ahead of the fundraising, Hajji Shaki Yusuf, the Imam Muhibeen mosque ltd, says they are ready for the fundraising much as they are being threatened. Confirming the permission for the fundraising to take place, Hajji Shaki Yusuf, the Imam, Muhibeen Mosque Ltd. says, they have received full documentation towards the above. “Since last week, at Muhibeen mosque, we have been working and doing arrangements and preparations for the fundraising to take place on 2^nd September 2023. Muhibeen is a peaceful mosque and with developmental people.  This fundraising has been permitted by the high authorities from IGP offices in Kampala and also the Criminal Investigations Departments (CID) office headquarters, so we are ready, he confirmed. According to him, all their activities are within the law.


Hajji Shaki Yusuf, the Imam Muhibeen mosque ltd, during a press conference

About the network mast installed on the mosque, the Imam says he believes the fights against them are stemming up over a network antennae installed on the mosque by Air ton company which other communities of the Muslim according to him, are having interest in. “I can’t believe this, because this thing came here in 2021 or 2022.

Before it came here, there was no problem but since it was installed the problems started and if there is a say that the problems are as a result of the antennae, me I can believe. This thing came for the people of Muhibeen, the agreement was signed between the people of Muhibeen and the company not through any faction,” Hajji Yusuf said bitterly.   


A copy of the letter permitting the said fundraising

Meanwhile, Ratib Angupale, the chairperson of the mosque asserts that if completed the project will help take away the burden on their faithful.
“If someone says a mosque cannot be registered that is being bankrupt in mind. The mosque and church all need development which all need money and if you need money you involve yourself in business. We are doing business to promote Islam and bring development in the mosque. We need development and we cannot be disturbing the congregation all the time.” “If this mosque is completed, the last floor will be a school where there will be a free education especially for those who cannot afford to get educated especially those with disabilities, and the rentals we want to complete will be a source of income for the development of the mosque,” he added

Zainabu Asibazuyo Aliga, a Muslim faithful at the mosque regrets the inconveniencies that always come during disagreements about the Mosque. “We did this work in the names of God and with sincerity. We were not funded from outside and even we still continue to work. By the grace of God, if this fundraising takes place we shall finish our house and the mosque at the right time. Each time we organize ourselves we are disturbed in many ways and a lot of sufferings come to us. I therefore request that we forego other issues and focus on what we need to do for our faith,” she says.

The intended elections set for 1^st September 2023 is supposed to be held to get leadership structure of the mosque which election is to be conducted by the UMSC faction to which the private entity and owners of the mosque are standing on opposing side.

COVER PHOTO: A photo of the incomplete Muhibeen Mosque in Arua city By Godwin Abedican