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Rukungiri District’s Khadi, Abdu Malik Kayole, expressed discontent with certain school administrators in the area for failing to recognize Eid ul-Fitr celebrations as a public holiday.
Speaking today while leading Eid ul-Fitr prayers at Rukungiri Main Mosque in Southern Division, Rukungiri Municipality, Kayole highlighted that, as Muslims, they hold respect for other religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter. However, he lamented the fact that some schools treated Eid ul-Fitr as an ordinary day, despite the Ministry of Public Service declaring it a public holiday.
Kayole emphasized the significance of Eid ul-Fitr, noting that it marks the culmination of Ramadan fasting, during which Muslims seek forgiveness for past wrongs since childhood.
He cautioned against indulging in alcohol during the celebrations, reminding Muslims that such actions contradict the spiritual essence of the occasion. Kayole stressed the importance of gratitude towards God for sustenance and encouraged sharing resources with those in need.
Furthermore, he urged Muslims to participate in the upcoming census by ensuring their households are accounted for, to enable the government to plan effectively for the Muslim community.
Caledonia Bakyirodwa, Rukungiri District’s Secretary for Works, used the same platform to warn schools against disregarding public holidays like Eid ul-Fitr, suggesting that measures may be taken at the district council level to penalize such institutions.
Mark Sulait, head of Muslim Women and Children, encouraged women to embrace the Islamic practice of polygamy, emphasizing its acceptance within the faith.
The Eid prayers saw attendance from Muslim students representing various schools, including Immaculate Heart Girls School Nyakibale, Kinyasano Girls Boarding High School, Makobore High School, and Buyanja Grammar School.
