The Muslim fraternity successfully held its third dialogue to share opinions on the birth of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), at Makerere University’s School of Food Technology Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall (CAES) on 16th January 2014.

The dialogue was part of a unity week, celebrated annually and had the objective of promoting unity among Muslims, building friendships between Muslims and others people, creating friendship among the various Muslim factions, and sharing opinions on the birth of Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H).

The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang (Right), who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, was grateful that Makerere was the chosen venue for the dialogue. “Your choice of the place for this year’s celebrations supports the fact that religious values are human values, and they can be taught and instilled in the mosques as well as in other institutionalized places that aim at advancing human endeavors,” he said. “We look forward to the revival of the glorious past in relationships, when Muslims in Spain spearheaded the European learning. We remember the achievements realized in Cordoba and Toledo universities, under Islam, with a lot of respect,” he added.

According to Imam Sheik Jalaal-dean Twaha (Pictured Topmost Right), the dialogue was “to establish and encourage identity in diversity. Muslims are yearning for unity, just like Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) stood for unity.” Musa Muganza Sowedi (Left), one of the organizers explained that bringing the dialogue to Makerere University was to tap into the vast knowledge. “Many Professors here have written about Prophet Muhammad and we wanted them to participate. Likewise, we wanted students to benefit from the discussions and carry the message that the Prophet stood for peace,” he said. Many of the day’s speakers emphasized that Islam is a religion of peace and conflicting parties should be brought to table to peacefully settle their differences.

The event attracted a number of Muslims from the different factions including the Muslim Sunni, Muslim Shi’a, and scholars from Makerere University. Previous dialogues have been held at the National Theatre and the Indian Mosque in Kampala. The event was organized by Akbar Tohidlou (Pictured Left), Cultural Counsellor for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kampala.

By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office