Fred Turyakira in Mbarara
1 October 2008
Kampala — THE western region emir, Sheikh Ahmed Ssenyange, has urged Muslims to support educational programmes to fight illiteracy and foster development.
During the Idd el-Fitr prayers at Madrasat Nuslat Islamia Primary School in Mbarara town on Tuesday, Ssenyange said Muslims should take their children to school instead of allowing them to engage in trade.
"Muslims have been left behind in education because our children have been engaged in businesses other than education. We are fighting illiteracy and poverty through education. We cannot develop when we are not educated," Ssenyange said.
He said the Government has a good educational programme, which needs to be supported by making sure that all children go to school.
Ssenyange appealed to parents to raise over sh30m to build a mosque and complete a dormitory at the school.
He appealed to the Government not to scrap the Arabic language in the national curriculum, saying it helps children to follow their religion. He explained that Arabic is the language spoken in countries, where many Muslims normally trade.
He asked Muslims to work with other religions for the development of the country. He said persecuting and shunning people from other religions was retrogressive.
"When we don't cooperate with other religions, there will be no development."
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