MENGO– Counsel Sheikh Ali Zikusoka, the chairperson of Nujumul Al-Huda, a renowned Islamic preacher and propagator, has implored Muslims to demonstrate respect for Imams—the mosque prayer leaders—if they truly love Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him).
This was part of Sheikh Zikusoka’s captivating, soul-uplifting sermon during the colorful celebrations marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), organized by the management of Luzige Masjid, Mengo Hill Road, in the heart of Kampala City, on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Sheikh Zikusoka represented Sheikh Ali Mundu, head of the Twalika Shazili Movement in East Africa.
Sheikh Zikusoka decried the appalling state of Imams, describing them as heirs of Prophet Muhammad who work tirelessly to meet the spiritual needs of the Muslim faithful, yet are hardly recognized or respected at a personal level.
“You see them pouring their hearts when they are leading the flock in prayers, presiding over marriages, burying the dead, and doing other social activities, yet they do not get salaries, except being served only food at social functions—even in a degrading manner—because, in most cases, their attires are torn due to biting poverty,” Sheikh Zikusoka said, as the congregants kept silent with looks of bewilderment.
Additionally, Sheikh Zikusoka admonished Muslims to demonstrate their passion for Prophet Muhammad by respecting his heirs, the Imams, if they are truly believers. He stressed that this respect would raise the social status of Imams as community leaders, strengthen continuity in leadership, and promote spiritual growth, which would eventually help stabilize the wider nation by curbing vices and immoralities.
Earlier, high-profile personalities also addressed the celebrants, including Hon. Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, Minister in charge of Kampala Capital City Metropolitan. She remarked that, as a longtime member of Luzige Masjid, she hailed the management for maintaining the celebration over the years as one of its annual events.
“It has consolidated unity and led many people in the neighborhood to join the fold of Islam,” Hajjat Minsa Kabanda observed. She concluded by urging Ugandans to vote wisely for leaders who will steer the country towards development and maintain the peace and stability ushered in by the NRM government under President Yoweri Museveni.
On his part, Hon. Sheikh Muzamir Nsubuga, the Entebbe Muslim District Representative to the UMSC General Assembly, emphasized the spiritual and divine rewards a believer attains by offering praises and prayers on the person of Prophet Muhammad.
“Whoever declines to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, then it is clear that such a person doubts or doesn’t belong to the global Muslim family,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Luzige Mosque management, under Haj Ismail Katungi, the chairman of the organizing team, and Mr. Abdu-Swamad Ismail Kintu, the mosque secretary, shared updates on the state of Muslim activities at the mosque.
The celebrations were attended by several local leaders, including Hassan Ssemalembe, the Buganda Kingdom parish chief, among others.
