Ms. Rukia Nakadama, Uganda’s Third Deputy Prime Minister, has urged officials at Entebbe International Airport to set aside more room so Muslims can worship.
Ms. Nakadama underlined the need of offering sufficient prayer facilities for Muslims during an Iftar supper sponsored by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) to honor the community and stakeholders, citing the practice in other international airports.
She mentioned that she had discussed the need for a Muslim-only prayer place with the UCAA Director General and that it is currently part of the current development plans.
As Muslims follow five daily prayers, Ms. Nakadama emphasized the need of meeting their religious requirements and the relevance of promoting inclusivity for people of all faiths.
She also exhorted non-Muslims and Muslims alike to recognize the Muslim community’s achievements and minority position within certain organizations.
Ms. Nakadama commended the UCAA for organizing the Iftar supper, saying it gave people of different religious backgrounds a chance to interact and build appreciation for one another.
She praised the work done by the UCAA to improve Entebbe International Airport’s appearance and make it a place that Ugandans are proud of.
The Director General of UCAA, Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, responded to the request for more prayer space by acknowledging that the airport’s current prayer facilities are inadequate given the growing number of users.
He promised that in order to meet the increasing demands of Muslims and other denominations, a larger prayer room will be included in the new terminal building, which is scheduled to open later this year.
The UCAA administration was inspired to plan the Iftar meal for the community by Mr. Bamwesigye’s emphasis on the importance of Ramadan and the principles of harmony and sharing.
He emphasized that participation in the event was open to both Muslims and non-Muslims, encouraging harmony and camaraderie among all those present.
The first Iftar event was a vibrant and inclusive celebration of Ramadan, attended by about 300 people, including Sheik Muhamad Waiswa, the Second Deputy Mufti.
