“WE DO NOT HAVE ANY FOREIGN SOURCE OF FUNDS,” MUSLIM LEADERS CLARIFY ON RUMORS ABOUT MOSQUE PROJECT FUNDING IN ARUA CITY

Some workers working on the Mosque construction at the project site. Photo by Godwin Abedican.

By Godwin Abedican

Arua

Following the commencement of a project for the construction of Irshad Mosque and commercial complex in Arua city, some members of the public have since been circulating information that the project leadership and that of the Muslims in the city and beyond are making people to contribute for a project that has secured foreign funding questioning what the monies collected will be used for.

The Muslim leadership has therefore disputed these claims saying it’s some peoples interest to see that this project fails and yet they have been clear about the project details right from the beginning.

According to the leaders, since the construction of the mosque and commercial complex commenced in May this year, they have received information that there are donors behind this project something they say is being used to discourage the progress of fundraising among the Muslim faithful and other well-wishers.

Halima Brahan, the chairperson construction committee for the project explained that a lot needs to be understood from this project before someone gives information to the public especially given that there are 2 projects with different sources of funds.

“People have been speculating outside that, this project has been taken over by a donor. So, I want to clear the air that there is no one who has come up standing as a donor to take up the Mosque construction. The Mosque construction is entirely on the Muslim faithful and other people willing to help within Arua and outside. I want to assure the members of the public that, no one should deceive anybody that the project has been taken over by a funder,” she said.

She adds that the gates are open for anyone in the public interested to supervise and check on the project progress to understand better what is going on in the project than relying on rumors. “A project that is funded by a donor does not move at the pace we are moving right now. At hand, what we have is the money meant for the commercial complex but for the Mosque, we don’t have money that’s why we are continuing to call upon the public to come and support us, she said.

Halima Brahan the project chairperson. Photo by Godwin Abedican.

Out of the two projects, the commercial complex was since leased to bidders who are currently moving on with its construction and has reached the ground floor slab level with so far 50 percent of the 1.8 billion cost of the complex paid by the bidders as the second installment of 25 percent is set to be paid for starting at the casting of the ground floor slab.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Mosque that has a total project cost of around 700 million is so far at the plinth wall as resources are being mobilized for casting the slab.

Brahan Twalib, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Arua Muslim district office of the District Khadi, therefore appeals to the public to continue with their generosity towards the project

“Let’s all work towards building the house of Allah, because this is a project that will help all of us. The benefits of this project go far beyond the material. It is spiritual and it will help us in very many ways. With that, I am asking everyone to know that this is our project. It is not for anyone, there is no donor for this project, it’s our project as the public in this town the Muslims, Christians and so on,” Brahan called.

Adbdulaziz Qaasim Alkury, the Deputy District Kadhi Arua Muslim District, calls upon the public to disregard any information that compromises the project, “What we are doing is for the almighty Allah. Let us look at one narration in Islam that says whoever constructs a house for Allah on this earth, the Almighty at that moment constructs for him or her a house in heaven. On behalf of the Arua Muslim district, I appreciate all our dear brothers and sisters in Christianity and other denominations who came to join us during the groundbreaking of and have continued to support us in this project. Of course, whatever good thing that you do, moves along with negative waves around it. So, let no one stand by the roadside giving us information. When we stop giving support for this project it will stop.What you give is what is being taken straight away to the work. So, when you when we relax, we are making the work of Allah to relax which will not be good in this case,” he maintained.

Adulaziz Qaasim Alkury the deputy Kadhi Arua Muslim district.
Photo by Godwin Abedican.

The contract period was initially 2 years but faced delays in procurements and documentations before the actual implementations started creating a possibility of the project period extension.

The two projects are being overseen by the office of the District Khadi and has been assigned to the construction committee.

When completed the temporary private owners of the complex will relinquish it to the Muslim fraternity after the expiry if the 15 years lease period.

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