Ugandan-USA Muslim Convention Preaches Unity, Raises USD$200,000 For Construction Of Community Centre

By Our Reporter

Another fun-filled weekend has come and gone for the Ugandan Muslim Community in the USA under their umbrella Uganda American Muslim Association (UAMA), who are still in jovial mood after holding a successful symposium.

A few weeks ago, reports revealed that the Ugandan Muslim Community in Boston,  Massachusetts, USA,  was preparing for a three-day symposium  that was to be held from 6th to the 8th October, 2022, at Woburn Hotel, which was thus  concluded last weekend.

The symposium was full of Islamic inspirational preaching from famous beloved sheikhs in the Muslim communities from Uganda, UK, Canada and the USA .

The event attracted delegations from the UK headed by Kassim Kayira and his wife Naima Kayira, plus Rashid Kasaato among many others, whereas the Canadian delegation was led by Edris Kaddu.

However, clerics from Uganda were unable to travel to Boston for the event due to visa related issues, although they rather preached through virtual platforms to the participants who were at the venue.

They included Sheikh Nkata Ismael, Imam Ahmad Kyeyune, Sheikh Shafik Mafo and Sheikh Burhan Muhsin Kiti, who conducted teachings on different topics aimed at fostering Islamic togetherness and brotherhood.

Apart from the participants outside USA, there were other Muslim guests from the 52 states of America, among them notable  guest speakers like  Umar Buwembo, Imam Bukenya, Sheikh Qudra Mbazira and Ahmed Masanso from California, who all called for togetherness.

Other notable guests included Boston City Council member Ternia Anderson Fernández, who also represented the Boston Mayor.

According to the program, the event kicked off with a Meet and Greet session for Muslims from different States, during which they to know each other.

This was followed with a Darasa and Juma prayers on Friday, after which guests engaged in social networking.

 The event climaxed on Saturday with a grand sumptuous dinner and a fundraising event where over USD 200,000 was collected for the construction of the first Ugandan Islamic Center in Massachusetts.

Former Kibuli Supreme Mufti Sheikh Siliman Kasule Ndilangwa was guest of honour and also graced the fundraising night, during which many Muslims pledged to contribute massively.

Sheikh  Ndirangwa urged Muslims to give sadaq (sacrifice) and  called upon them to unite in order for them to enhance community development.

He referred to the example of the Prophet Muhammad’s developmental works, he executed when he migrated from Mecca to Madinah.

The contribution managed to take place after renowned youthful businessman Captain Kawagga Akram Kawuki donated an acre of land in Boston to the Muslims to construct a mosque and a Center for Ugandan Muslim Community in Massachusetts.

After the fundraising, organisers  honoured the late Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata with a life achievement award for his contribution to Islamic activities.

The main organiser of the convention were the Ugandan Muslim youths in Boston, Massachusetts, under the leadership of Sheikh Qudra Mbazira, who thanked the participants for honoring the occasion by turning up in big numbers .

Mbaziira revealed that the event wouldn’t have been a success without the contribution of their sponsors like Kitchen Delight, AITV, Radio Uganda Boston, Salam TV , Thurayah Media, among others.