Muslims_During_Eid_Paryers_at_Hijra_Mosque_Arua_city. Photo by Godwin Abedican

By Godwin Abedican

Arua

The Muslim faithful have been called upon to continue observing the deeds of the holy month of Ramadan so as to enhance their faith and ensure peaceful coexistence in the society. This call dominated communications during the Eid al Fitr prayers at different venues within Arua city.

Speaking during the Eid al Fitr prayers at Hijra Mosque in Arua city, Sheikh Abdullahi Juma Vuni, the 3^rd deputy supreme mufti and supreme Kadhi Arua city called upon the Muslim faithful to have responsible ways of celebrating such holy days, keeping in mind the need to have peace with non-Muslims.

“When we are fasting, we are all good people. We don’t talk anyhow, we don’t see any how, our hands don’t do bad things and our legs do not take us to do bad things. This practice should not only be during the times of fasting. During the rest of the times, our behaviors need to be the same. If only we could take seriously the religious teachings, the police would have nothing to do,” he said.

Sheik Rashid Khamis, the City Kadhi under Arua district supreme administration notes with concern the rate at which the Muslim faithful especially the youth are rampantly involved in numerous crimes in the city.

“We are appealing to our youth who are involved in criminal activities that are against the law to stop what they area doing. What we have been watching in movies have come to be practiced. We see our faithful in the Islam faith robbing people in broad day light. When you go to the police, you find a number of Muslim names in the crime records. What are our youths up to? It hurts seeing holy names like Muhamad not being respected. Let them leave these behaviors because it spoils our names and bring fear among citizens,” Sheikh Khamis bitterly said. He further advices the youth to work and earn lawfully to avoid getting into conflict with the community and the laws.

Speaking after the Eid prayers at Taufiq mosque in Pajulu BAT, Ali Afema, the secretary of the mosque, implores the Muslim faithful not to make the 30 days of fasting look like a waste of time.

“It’s very key that we should stick to the good ways we have been having during Ramadan. It’s so unfortunate that there are some Muslims who might be preparing to go back to the evil things they have been doing. As Muslims it’s not right for us and we are not allowed to do this. The Ramadan has been a very exemplary time for us to be able to renew our faith and to be able to renew our deeds in line with what Allah wants us to do,” Afema mentioned.

Meanwhile, Alionzi Brahan, the Director, Islamic University in Uganda Arua campus calls upon parents in the Muslim faith to pay keen interest and attention to the behavior of their children

“Crime rates among the Muslim brothers and sisters is very high. When you move in Arua city, the areas gazetted and known for gangs are areas dominated by Muslims brothers and sisters and these are the areas which are supposed to be very peaceful. Where is this taking us? So, I urge us the elders, the mothers, the fathers, the brothers to talk to our brothers, please let’s come out of that,” Alionzi  said.

It has been observed on most occasions that during the holy month of Ramadan that crime rate among the Muslim faithful is always low, a trend which is normally reversed after the holy month of Ramadan.