Despite the raging bloody war and civil unrest in the middle east, muslims across the world cannot wait to welcome this year’s holy month of Ramadan expected to start on March 11th, 2024 after the sighting of the moon.
Sheikh Hamed Muguluma, the head HEAR Uganda, has said that for the first time since their office opened more than 10 years ago, Kampala and Wakiso districts, will not receive any donation of Ramadan food packages from them due to wars taking place in Palestine and Ukraine.
“We don’t have any plans for Kampala to give them any Ramadan food donations since donors are now focused on offering food to the war affected areas like Sudan, Palestine, Congo, Ukraine, Syria among others,” he said.
Muguluma said previously, they had been receiving between 3,000 to 4,000 Ramadan food package donations but this year, they have only received 1,000 food packages which they have donated to Fort portal, Kasese, Kyenjojo and Luweero districts.
Sadat Nsubuga, the head of Ramadan food programme at HEAR Uganda says, the food packages have been mainly targeted to the poor, needy and widows.
Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar where people fast from dawn to dusk with intense recitations of the Qura’n and ignition of compassion through acts of charity. It commemorates the Qur’an being first revealed to the prophet Muhammad.
The head Religious Affairs at Kibuli mosque Sheikh Yasir Kulumba has advised Muslims to go for Taraweeh prayers every night during the fasting month of Ramadan to be rewarded more.
“Taraweeh is one of the many blessings that Holy month of Ramadan brings for us. Offering this special prayer for the entire month of Ramadan provides spiritual as well as medical benefits. It not only purifies our soul but also keeps us healthy and fit.
Ramadan is mandatory for all adult muslims unless they are sick, travelling, or having their menstrual cycle, are pregnant, diabetic or elderly.
Sheikh Musa Sendege, the Imam, Namavundu mosque advised women to avoid demanding things which their husbands can’t provide since this might cause domestic violence which affects their Ramadan.
Night of Power (Al-Qadr)
Kulumba advised Muslims to use the 27th day of Ramadan, which is the night of Al-Qadr, and pray the whole night asking God for rewards, forgiveness of their sins and also ask Him to stop wars in Middle East countries.
“On the day of Al- Qadr, let’s all of us play and ask Allah to stop wars in middle East countries like Palestine, Ukraine and Syria,” he said.
This year’s 30-day fasting period will end with Eid al Fitr on April 10, depending on the sighting of the moon.
