Wakiso Muslims treated to iftar fete with call for Women empowerment

__________________

Hundreds of Muslims broke their day's fast at an iftar dinner hosted by Katabi town council leadership at the new headquarters located at Kitala in Wakiso district.

Held on Thursday evening, the event started with a darasa (religious class) of learners from different schools, reciting the Quran and dancing to Islamic religious songs.

This was followed by preaching from different Islamic religious leaders before the chief guest Ali Nganda Mulyanyama planted a ceremonial tree.

Mulyanyama, also the mayor for Makindye Ssabagabo in Kampala city, was led to an inspection of the newly constructed double-storey Katabi town council headquarters.

He lauded the leadership for the efforts towards such a development and for accommodating all people with different religious beliefs. He called upon the faithful to support women and girls in all spheres of their lives.

"Islam should not be perceived as a religion that curtails females from doing some things. We must empower them for greater achievements in the fields of education, business, career and personal growth," Mulyanyama preached.

He added that in civilised societies, there are no cultural beliefs nor religious beliefs that perceive women as being inferior in whichever sense. "Men should not only kneel for women while indoors. We should empower and exalt them at all times," Mulyanyama advised.

Ronald Kalema, the Katabi town council chairperson, said during every Ramadhan, they host iftar.

"Apart from our usual guests, this time we have involved so many schools in the area because we need to groom and guide the young generation in a religious path. That becomes one sure way of minimising moral decay and criminality in our area," Kalema stated.

The County Sheikh Ali Mukiibi emphasised the importance of fasting as being a strong pillar of islam. On the issue of women empowerment, he noted that Islam is such a religion that treasures ladies so much.

"We treasure females a lot, that's why we advise them to dress appropriately so that their bodies are not exposed to everyone. We treasure them a lot that is why we discourage them from doing odd jobs. It does not mean we are curtailing their rights and freedoms, but appreciating their goodness as Allah's treasured creatures," sheikh Mukiibi preached.

In partnership with Katabi town council, Stephen Sekigozi has always contributed towards iftar during every Ramadan period.

"Honestly, I first contributed towards iftar as a political campaign but later realised that it made more sense to break a fast of our muslim brothers and sisters, as a noble gesture than a political campaign. As you may realise, together with Katabi town council, we have been doing this for the past ten years even when I hold no political office," Sekigozi expressed.

Others present were Nassif Najja, the Wakiso district speaker, Charles Kabwama, the Entebbe municipality deputy mayor, the entire leadership of Katabi town council among other residents.