Iranian ambassador meets mufti of Uganda

TEHRAN,July 8(MNA) – The Iranian ambassador to Uganda, Amir Hossein Nik-Bin, met with the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters, Old Kampala, on Thursday, the New Vision newspaper reported. During the meet, the envoy pointed out that the purpose of his visit was to bring a message of peace from Ugandan Muslims living in Iran. The trip, he added, was also to reaffirm his nation’s commitment to working with the UMSC in the areas of education, science, and technology. Iran, the ambassador said, has set its focus on science and technology as one way of achieving development and ensuring self-sufficiency. Mr. Nik-Bin expressed the willingness of his country to establish an exchange program under which Muslims in Uganda and other countries can learn more about Iran’s technological advancements. Commenting about the West’s embargo on Iran over its nuclear program, he made it clear that Tehran’s nuclear program is a peaceful one. On his part, Mufti Mubaje hailed his visitor for showing brotherhood with Ugandan Muslims, saying that the UMSC shares Iran’s vision of development. “Here at the UMSC, our working slogan is Muslim unity and development,” he said, adding that beyond the challenges in the areas of education and employment that Muslims are still facing, there is freedom of worship ushered in by the NRM (National Resistance Movement) government. Commenting on the state of Islam around the world, Mubaje said that the religion’s number one enemy lies within. According to him, the entire Muslim world is on fire because of acts of betrayal by the enemies within [the faith]. “What is happening in Syria, Somalia, Tunisia, and even Egypt is nothing but struggle for power, not for Islam,” Mubaje stressed. He noted that there is no way a country from the West can risk going to war with a Muslim country when Muslims in that country are united and have the support of their counterparts in other countries. The host and his guest both called for prayer towards the people of Iran, Syria, Palestine, and many other countries who are suffering because of sanctions imposed on them by Western powers. Ambassador Nik-Bin was accompanied by Mr. Ali B. Akbar, an attaché at the Embassy of Iran in Uganda. Also in attendance were senior UMSC management officials.