By Ssenkabirwa Mahdi Ali
Dec 16, 2003
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KAMPALA � Muslim leaders were yesterday divided in their reaction to the arrest of Saddam Hussein. The former Iraqi dictator was captured in a dirt hole in a small village, 15 kilometres from his hometown of Tikrit in Iraq, drawing celebration in many parts of the world. However, the reaction of Muslim leaders in Uganda yesterday ranged from support to indignation to sheer indifference. The overall Muslim leader in Uganda, Mufti Sheikh Shaban Mubajje, was philosophical when asked about the matter. �Our people should know that nothing happens without Allah�s wish,� Mubajje said in a telephone interview. �Whatever happens we take it as Allah�s desire; if Saddam is captured, it is a pity to him and I sympathise with him.� However, a leader of the Tabliq Muslim sect, Amir Hakiim Ssekimpi, described Saddam�s capture as a �great loss� to Muslims. �I hope no Muslim worldwide got happy after US forces caught Saddam; it is a big loss to all Muslims, and no woman could produce a brave man like Saddam has been.� The Imam at Makerere University Mosque, Ahmed Ssentongo, was also sympathetic. �Whenever a Muslim brother is in problems we all get hurt,� he said. �We strongly sympathise with Saddam and we pray so that he overcomes this hazard.� Ssentongo, however, also drew a lesson from Saddam�s capture, saying: �Let it also be a lesson even to our local political leaders here; if Allah gives you a chance to lead people, fulfil your duties and responsibilities, power comes and goes � you are in State House today and tomorrow in Luzira.� The acting chairman of the Uganda Muslim Youth Assembly, Imam Idd Kasozi, said he did not have enough details on the matter to make a comment but said he was �sympathetic� as a Muslim. Dr Abbas Kiyimba, an associate dean at the Faculty of Arts at Makerere University, said: �As a Muslim I feel concerned.� |
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
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