Rukungiri Muslims Explain Why Muslim Martyrs are not celebrated

Summary:

• But not known to many is the earlier, in 1875 scores of Muslims were executed on the orders of Kabaka Muteesa 1 Mwanga’s father.

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RUKUNGIRI: Every June 3, Millions of Christians throng Martyr’s shrine in Namugongo to commemorate the nearly 50 men and boys who were killed between 1884 and 1887.

They were killed on orders of Kabale Mwanga of Buganda for rebelling against him and denouncing the traditional Lubaale religion. But not known to many is the earlier, in 1875 scores of Muslims were executed on the orders of Kabaka Muteesa 1 Mwanga’s father.

This followed a period of tension where Muteesa, though initially supportive of Islam, resisted circumcision and other Islamic practices. A group of Muslim fundamentalists from Egypt criticized the king’s conduct, inciting rebellion among his subjects.

The King ordered those who refused to eat meat slaughtered by uncircumcised Muslims to be arrested. When they persisted in their refusal, they were eventually executed, with over 70 martyrs burnt to death at Namugongo. Only three known Muslim Martyrs are Yusuf Sebakiwa, Amulane Tuzinde, and Musirimu Lwanga, who also survived the ordeal. It is said they died of natural illness, a result of the long trek to Namugongo.

As the Catholic and Anglican Faith Commemorated this day, Muslims in Rukungiri District explained why they refrain from participating, despite the claim that some of their own were martyred under similar circumstances.

Byarugaba Issa, a member of Rukungiri Main Mosque in Rukungiri Municipality, explained that “As Muslims, We do not pray to the dead but instead ask God to forgive the sins of the deceased.”

He urged that although the Muslim martyrs killed in Namugongo displayed faithfulness to Allah, they were wrong to persist in the face of warnings from Kabaka Mwanga stating that they could have migrated to areas where they could worship freely, thus avoiding their deaths.

“As Muslims, we do not believe that the deceased can become saints, as there is no divine confirmation of their status. “He stated.

CUE IN BYARUGABA….ON THE DAY…..RR//

Sheikh Kayole Abdulmalik Byaruhanga, the Rukungiri District Kadhi said that Muslims only pray for forgiveness for the deceased of those Martyrs but not celebrate them, because Allah is the one who creates and takes back.

CUE IN SHEIKH KAYOLE…ON MARTYR’S….RR//

The Muslim community will commemorate the day on 10th June 2024 unlike previously where they would mark the day on June 1, two days before Christians hold their festival.