Ntungamo District Kadhi Asks Health Ministry to Teach Imams How to Handle Faithfuls that Succumb to COVID-19

The Muslim Community has criticized the Ministry of Health for failure to train local communities on how to bury their loved ones who succumb to the COVID-19 virus.

Recently the Ministry of Health indicated that their teams will just disinfect the body of the deceased and wrap it in a burial bag before handing it to family members for burial.

However, the Ntungamo District Kadhi Sheikh Swalleh Kashangirwe punched holes in the new guidelines issued by the Ministry tasking government to first train the County Imams and Sheikhs on how they will handle the burial of Muslims since Islamic laws instruct them to conduct body ablution to the deceased.

“You see like in Security when there is a need to fill spaces in the structure, they introduce Crime Preventers and LDUs but the Ministry of Health has failed to take such measures yet we are in a pandemic. I urge them to train especially Imams and Sheikhs on how to handle Muslims that pass away because of COVID-19.” Sheikh Kashangirwe said.

He made the remarks over the weekend during the burial of the late Aidah Kekibira Kyeyune in Nyakashoga Butanda Ihunga Kajara Ntungamo District who succumbed to Diabetes and Pressure at the age of 85 years.

Sheikh Kashangirwe also warned the Muslim community against changing the Islamic rituals of immediate burial of the deceased noting that some have developed tendency of burying their people after two or three days which must stop.

He hailed the children and family led by councilor Hajji Abdullah Sebaka for the immediate burial of their mother late Aidah Kekibira which should be emulated.

In his comforting words, the Ntungamo Municipality County Sheikh Abdullah Yunus Rwamahe asked family members to avoid bickering and clicks within the family if they are to maintain the legacy of the family.

Sheikh Rwamahe reminded all mourners that Allah is the one who gives and one who takes away appealing to them to remain prepared because no one who knows time and the day when one will depart from Earthly life.

While representing the government, the Ntungamo District vice chairperson Ampeire Sakina Imamu condemned the habitual acts of using abusive language, hate speeches and factions based on religious sects amongst politicians to stop it.

Madam Sakina who doubles as the LCV councilor for Nyamunuuka Town Council and Bwongyera sub county asked voters to shun politicians who use divisive words based on religion noting that service delivery doesn’t have religion.

The children led by Hajj Abdullah Ssebaka and Kyanku Mikidaad described their mother late Kekibira as a person who was irreplaceable, dependable and said that she will be missed.

Hajj Ssebaka commended the deceased for producing, nurturing and educating them after the death of their father.

The late Aidah Kekibira left 9 children, 250 grand children and 20 great children.