Condemnation of senseless killings, immorality and selfish desires topped the agenda as Muslims recently gathered in two different functions (at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council head offices) and at Ridha Muslim Schools in Kiteezi to commemorate the brutal murder of Imaam Hussein Ibn Ali that is believed to have taken place about 1,380 years ago.
Imaam Hussein was one of the two sons of Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Sheikh Hassan Mayambala, the Director of Sabar Islamic Dawah group of Uganda, said Hussein was murdered in the battle of Karbala on 10th of October 680 (10 Muharram in the year 61 AH of the Islamic calendar).
This day is popularly known as ‘Ashura.’ Some Muslims fast on this day in remembrance of the day when God saved prophet Moses from the Pharaoh of Egypt who had for many years enslaved Israelites.
Mayambala said that Imaam Hussein refused to tolerate the prevailing bad acts and immoralities that were prevailing in the society, and that is why he decided to lead an army of 72 soldiers including one African called ‘John’ to attack an army of over 20,000 soldiers in Karbala, in present day Iraq.
“Immorality remains immorality, howsoever it is dressed, as Muslims we don’t accept it. In order to protect Islam, Imaam Hussein surrendered all his fame his riches and 18 children for the sake of Islam.,” he said.
Mayambala called upon Ugandans, especially the youth, to return to righteousness and start worshiping their God because this will help them to stop committing deadly acts like killing each other.
“Whenever one has the Lord with him or her, their heart is softened and such acts cannot prevail in them,” he said. “Imaam Hussein rejected such acts. That is why he surrendered his life and now we are enjoying Islam because of his contribution to the faith.”
Sheikh Abdallah Yusuf Mayirikiti, the Director Quran and Itra in Uganda wondered how brutal deaths had become the order of the day in Uganda.
Mayirikiti said: “It is surprising that today people kill each other without fearing or feeling any remorse. “Uganda today is experiencing events that led to the death of Imaam Hussein those many years ago.
Muslims across the globe gather in different parts of the world every tenth day of Muharram to pay tribute and remember what happened to the house of the prophet in Karbala.
Muhammad Reza Ghezelsofla a Cultural Chancellor at the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran said that Imaam Hussein surrendered his life to protect Islam and keep it alive to date.
“He was feeling that Islam was going away and he decided to rise up against that brutal ruler leading to his murder” he said.
