By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
As Muslims and Christian faiths around the word are observing the holy months of Ramadan and lent period, Christians have been called on to adopt the spirit of generosity demonstrated by Muslims during the fasting period of Ramadan, particularly feeding the less fortune.
This appeal was made by Sharon Oyat Arach, the Spokesperson of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party during a press conference at their party headquarters on Wednesday. During the conference, Arach commended the Islamic community for its commitment to supporting the poor, especially through Iftar dinners shared with those in need, observing that such a culture is seldomly seen in the christian communities. She implored christians to follow similar example during the Lenten season.
“In the last four years, the Muslims and Christians had their fasting periods almost at the same time. And fortunatelyor unfortunately, the muslim fraternity have showed an example of true love of brothers and sisters on several occasions. You have seen them going to help one another, providing food for those that are fasting, going to the disadvantaged communities to do the same. Unfortunately, I heve not seen that with the christian fraternity and we hope that christians should go ahead and emulate the muslims to be able to bring this country together and help one another,” Arach urged.
Many Islamic organizations and individual muslims distribute food items to struggling families during Ramadan, ensuring that no one goes hungry at the end of the day’s fast.
Although the UPC claims that many Christians do not support one another during lent, a priest from Mbarara Archdiocese, speaking to Parrots Media on conditions of anonymity, stated that the church encourages discreet giving unlike in other faith where acts of charity are often publicized in the media.
“We have good Catholics who do this privately. Many of them we can neither see nor know them but, we always encourage people to give in privacy,” he said.
Additionally, Faizo Muzeyi, the head of media and communication at UPC believes that both Christians and Muslims demonstrate God’s love through giving and helping the needy.
“And let us be able to have the heart of giving and helping the needy. That is how best we demonstrate the love of Christ / Allah to our brothers and sisters,” Muzeyi emphasized.
UPC wished Muslims a joyful Eid Al-fitr 2025, which is expected for March 31.
