{UAH} We told you Muslims wouldn't tolerate: UMSC warns on red caps

Stop wearing red caps, UMSC tells protesters

Stop wearing red caps, UMSC tells protesters "Our concern is the use of our attire by non-Muslims who may end up wearing it to bars and pork joints."

During a press briefi ng on Friday at Old Kampala, the UMSC spokesperson, Haji Nsereko Mutumba, said wearing Muslim caps damages the image of the Islamic religion.

"We have no problem with anyone showing their dissatisfaction with the political situation, but our concern is using our attire during the demonstrations, especially by non- Muslims who may end up wearing it to bars and pork joints," Mutumba said.

Of late, Members of Parliament opposed to the lifting of the presidential age limit and their supporters, have resorted to wearing red caps and ribbons.

Mutumba noted that they have received numerous petitions from the Muslim fraternity over the matter from various parts of the world.

"Actually, we are not coming out because we are against their cause, but a number of Muslims have threatened to attack them. Therefore, we call on all those who wear red caps, especially non-Muslims, to stop wearing them before Muslims launch attacks on them," he said.

Mutumba also attacked Muslim MPs whom he said, had failed to put on the caps when the operationalisation of the Kadhi courts was blocked by Parliament.

However, he lauded Democratic Party vice-president Fred Mukasa Mbidde and FDC strongman Col. Kizza Besigye for desisting from wearing Muslim caps during their demonstrations.

According to Mutumba, non- Muslims should only put on Muslim caps during Muslim functions, to match the occasion.

Mutumba also expressed concern over the non-inclusion of Muslim clerics in the recently organised parliamentary prayers, which he said is a sign of segregation against Muslims.

"We have Muslim MPs who profess the Islamic religion, but, if their leaders are not included, what does that mean?" he asked.

Efforts to get a comment from the Parliament's director of communications and public affairs Chris Obore, over the matter were futile.

Mutumba also warned Kampala Capital City Authority councillor Muhammad Ssegirinya and his team against organising what he called bogus prayers.

A group of Muslims that include Ssegirinya have been reported in the media as having conducted duwa (prayers) against the NRM government.

The prayers are usually staged at a busy place. "We have for a long time been silent about Ssegirinya's bogus prayers but he has continued to do the same yet these prayers are against the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and his companions. We are warning him to stop them," he said.

According to Mutumba, none of the organisers of the said prayers is a Muslim scholar.