Greetings from the University Imaam’s Office.
Makerere University Mosque is proud to associate with current and past students of Makerere University. With a rich history dating back to as early as 1948 when the Sultan of Zanzibar visited the Ivory Tower leading to the construction of the First Mosque (now used as the Library), the Mosque has nurtured and developed a body of Muslim graduates and professionals. Starting with a small number of about five Muslims in the late 1940s, the Mosque has gone on to nurture thousands of professionals that have contributed to the transformation of communities locally, regionally and globally. Notable among these are academics like the Late Prof. Ali Mazrui, Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, Prof. Umar Kakumba, Prof. Abasi Kiyimba, and Prof. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo among others.
Dr. Sowed Juma Mayanja, University Imaam.
The Muslim Community at Makerere comprises of students, Academic Staff and Non-Academic staff that include administrative and support staff. The University Mosque strives to organize a host of different activities, services, and events to engage and bring together the Muslim community in Makerere. Activities of the Mosque that benefit Muslim students are planned and implemented by the Makerere University Muslim Students’ Association, known by its household acronym “MUMSA”.
Priding itself in a history that spans over 50 years, MUMSA has established itself as one of the most vibrant students associations in Makerere, nationally and globally. In the 50 plus years of existence, MUMSA has gained membership to global students’ associations like the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) with headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in addition to contributing to the formation and promotion of the activities of the East African Muslim Federation and National Muslim Students body, the Muslim Students’ Association of Uganda (MSAU).
Through its flagship activities like Freshers’ Orientation, Qur’an study, Islamic study, Ramadhan Iftaar, hospital visits, community cleaning, humanitarian and relief intervention initiatives, leadership training and capacity building sessions, community outreach, tuition assistance schemes for needy students, and career guidance, MUMSA has over the years, continuously attracted both local and international sponsors. These activities have helped create a large pool of Muslim alumni that are now resourceful in the country and the world over.
Some of the Muslim alumni are now are employed with the University like Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs, Prof. Abasi Kiyimba, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, the University Secretary plus many others serving as academic, administrative and support staff. These have greatly helped in supporting the operations of the University Mosque.
As the University Mosque, we completely rely on the unwavering moral and financial support as well as generous donations of alumni and good philanthropists to help run the day-to-day operations of the community in Makerere and beyond. The strong body of Muslim alumni has contributed enormously to developments that are happening at the University Mosque,including the renovation of toilets, tarmacking of the upper parking yard, installation of CCTV cameras and flood lights, and replacement of the old carpet. All these developments have not only improved the security but also helped in creating a beautiful and serene environment at the mosque.
Apart from big money projects, the Alumni have contributed to calls for bailing out students having tuition deficits, supported charity-based interventions by the Imam’s office and Islamic rituals and events like Ramadhan Iftaar programs, Idd celebrations, Idd Aduha sacrifice, Islamic seminars, public lectures, conventions, conferences and symposia.
I take this opportunity to thank the brains behind The Legacy E-Newsletter for providing a platform to reach out to the alumni of Makerere University. I call upon all alumni to get interested in the goals of the newsletter and support it through forwarding articles or sharing experiences for the benefit of others. To the current students, as you leave Makerere University, we ask you to consider joining us as an alumni donor, to pay it forward and support the Muslim community in Makerere University. Every penny will go a long way in helping Muslim students achieve their full academic and spiritual potential while fostering a sense of community in the University and local community.
Allow me end by wishing all students success in the forthcoming end of semester examinations. I encourage everyone to live responsibly in the forthcoming festive season that climaxes the year 2023. Life is too precious to be lost in reckless conduct that is normally seen as the year comes to an end. May the Almighty guide and bless us all.
Dr. Sowed Juma Mayanja
University Imaam.
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