Jinja Muslims urged to raise children with divine responsibility
Bowa said that moral and ethical upbringing is a cornerstone of Islamic parenting and that parents must instill values such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and respect for others from a young age.
Busoga regional Khadi, Sheikh Dr Hussein Bowa (left) leading prayers during Eid-Al-Adha celebrations at Mvule Crescent Muslim ground in Jinja City Friday. (Photos by Donald Kiirya)
By Donald Kiirya
Journalists @New Vision
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Muslim parents and guardians in Uganda's eastern city of Jinja have been tasked with raising children with the intention of fulfilling a divine responsibility as well cultivating future generations that will contribute positively to their communities.
This was part of the message of Busoga regional Khadi, Sheikh Dr Hussein Bowa, to the Muslim community during Eid-Al-Adha prayers at Mvule Crescent in Jinja city on Friday.
He said that, in Islam, the intention behind any action is paramount, and this extends to parenting, citing Prophet Muhammad as having emphasized that "actions are judged by intentions".
“Ibn Taymiyyah in "Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā" discusses how a parent's intention should be aligned with seeking Allah's pleasure by raising children who will uphold and propagate Islamic values," preached Bowa.
"He explains that the sincerity of intention transforms mundane tasks of parenting into acts of worship and devotion."
The regional khadi said parents are responsible for providing their children with both religious and worldly education so that they are well-rounded and can navigate both spiritual and practical aspects of life.
Jinja muslims praying during Eid-Al-Adha celebrations at Mvule Crescent Muslim ground in Jinja City Friday. 
He emphasized that religious education should include the Quran, Hadith, and Fiqh, while worldly education should encompass essential life skills and vocational training.
'Ethical adults'
Bowa said that moral and ethical upbringing is a cornerstone of Islamic parenting and that parents must instill values such as honesty, integrity, compassion, and respect for others from a young age.
"This moral foundation helps children grow into responsible and ethical adults and desist from terror and criminal acts like bombings."
He thanked the central government for ensuring a peaceful environment in the country, which he said has enabled freedom of worship.
Faisal Mohammed, a Muslim leader in Jinja city, condemned the terror-related incident that happened near the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine on the morning of June 3.
Later after the blast, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) issued a statement saying its counter-terrorism unit had "intercepted and neutralized two armed terrorists" in an "intelligence-led operation".
The two suspects on a motorcycle, including a female, died in the blast.
Mohammed also urged the government to continue with investigations into the killing of sheikhs and bring the suspected murderers to book.