More Muslims Fast But Devotion Is On Decline

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is likely to start on June 6, according to Muslim leaders The Observer spoke too.

According to The Observer’s findings, more Muslims in the country fast during Ramadan, but their level of devotion is declining due to poor health, poverty, studies and the environment they live in.

According to Hajji Jaffer Senganda, the president of Muslim Centre for Justice and Law, the number of Muslims fasting is increasing but they are not committed like previous generations who were dedicated and even walked for Umrah and pilgrimage to Mecca.

“Most Muslim children now don’t study in Islamic schools, whereby they miss a lot of knowledge about Islam and their parents are always busy.  Most children grow up without appreciating the value of Islam especially fasting yet it is the only pillar of Islam judged by Allah himself,” he said.

Senganda advised people to fast according to Qur’an teachings especially now, when Islam has been hijacked by people using it for selfish interests. According to Sheikh Muhammad Waiswa, the Imam Makerere University Business School (Mubs), most youths are troubled by non-Islamic environments they live in.

“Some Muslims stay in places where they can’t notice whether Ramadan starts or not,” he said.

Sheikh Hamed Muguluma, the executive director, Hear Uganda said, more Muslims observe Ramadan today because the Muslim population has also risen. In 2002, official statistics put the number of Muslims at 12 per cent of the population. They now constitute 14 per cent (about 5.2 million) of the population, according to the 2014 census.

“People are using Internet to gain more knowledge on Islam and benefits of fasting, which attracts them to fast. Increased access to mobile phones has also improved fasting since people remind one another at night about eating daaku (pre-dawn meals during Ramadan),” he said.

Hajji Nsereko Mutumba, the public relations officer, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, said those who claim they are sick and due to doctor’s orders do not fast are very few compared to the number of Muslims that fast.

“Majority of Muslims fast due to the benefits of Ramadan like blessings from Allah and health reasons,” he said.

Sheikh Yasil Kulumba, the Imam, Faraag mosque at Kawempe Kivulu, said more people want the rewards and other benefits of fasting, such as Allah multiplying every good thing done during Ramadan 700 times.

“Those with chronic diseases such as HIV/Aids, hypertension and ulcers, who don’t fast, have to pay at least Shs 5,000 every day or Shs 150,000 per month to help poor people break their fast…some people die after Ramadan because of forcing themselves to fast,” Kulumba said.

Muslims gathered for players at Mawanga mosque in Munyonyo

Sheikh Twaha Kalyango Semwanje, the Imam Semwanje mosque at Kawempe, said during Ramadan the mosques fill up to capacity, which shows that people respect fasting and know its importance.

“Even if people don’t have money and food to break their fast, they fast and eat at the mosques where there is free food from good Samaritans,” he said.

Kalyango encouraged Muslims to read the entire Qur’an during Ramadan since it was revealed in this month. Sheikh Nooh Muzaata Batte, the spokesman, Kibuli mosque, also agreed; the number of fasting Musims is on the increase due to increased population.

“I encourage people to avoid pretending to be sick during Ramadan just to dodge fasting,” he said.

He advised Muslims to eat healthy foods before sunrise and when breaking their fasts in the evening, to avoid health complications.