{UAH} Uganda Muslims Laud Anti-Gay Bill

Uganda Muslims Laud Anti-Gay Bill

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Uganda Muslim Brothers and Sisters

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Uganda Muslims have welcomed the decision of President Yoweri Museveni to back an anti-gay bill that imposes life sentences for some homosexual acts, risking ties between western donors and the east African country.

“It takes a courageous leader to defy all the western powers who have gone as far a threatening to cut off aid to Uganda incase the president signs the anti-gay bill,” said Hajji Nsereko Mutumba, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Public Relations Officer.

“I would like to commend President Museveni for his decision to sign the anti-gay bill,” Mutumba said.

“Once again, he has proved that he is a leader who has his country and his people at heart.

“Since the passing of the bill by the parliament of Uganda, the President has been under a lot of pressure from the promoters of the Homosexuality Act around the world but despite the numerous threats he received, he put morality first,” Mutumba added.

Few days ago, US President Barack Obama threatened that the anti-gay could jeopardize relations with Uganda, warning that it would be a “step backward for all Ugandans.”

The key western alley has further warned to review ties with the African nation that include granting it more than $400 million as aid annually.

Though praised by the Muslim community, the decision has sent outcry among rights activists who deemed it as a setback to human rights in the African country.

“There is real urgency now that [Yoweri] Museveni has stated his intention to sign the bill,” Daniel Bekele, the Africa director for Human Right Watch, told Al-Jazeera on Thursday, February 20.

“The US should temporarily recall the ambassador to conduct strategic consultations on the US/Uganda relationship, while making clear the range of concerns for yet another clawback to human rights in Uganda,” Bekele added.

Support

Appreciating Museveni’s decision, the Muslim Council has urged a national support for the president.

It is now the duty of all Ugandans to rally behind the President because “the coming days, weeks, months and years may not be easy for the country,” UMSC’s Public Relations Officer urged.

“Let us unite behind our leader, abide by the laws, fight corruption, give our children relevant skills, work hard and accumulate enough wealth that will make us economically more independent and therefore less dependent on aid from the western world.

“Thank you very much President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for showing leadership,” he added.

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and most African countries.

Besides life sentence, the Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill calls for outlawing the promotion of homosexuality, including providing financial support to gays.

In the recent years, African leaders have been under mounting pressures from Western countries to recognize gay rights.

In 2011, British Prime Minister David Cameron threatened to cut aid to countries that deny gay rights.

Yet, African leaders have been insisting that homosexuality is alien to their culture.

In Nigeria, President Jonathan signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act into on January 7, 2014 barely one month after both arms of the country’s parliament unanimously agreed on the legislation.

Same-sex relationship and marriage are totally prohibited in Islam, Christianity and all divine religions.

Islam teaches that believers should neither do the obscene acts, nor in any way indulge in their propagation.

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexuality is not a sin, but considers homosexual intercourse as sinful.

http://um-bs.com/2014/02/20/uganda-muslims-laud-anti-gay-bill/

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Rehema
Patriot in Kampala,East Africa:UMBS is a registered organization devoted to matters of interest to Muslims in Uganda.Muslims from other countries are welcome to join us too. Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/UMBSFORUM. To donate to UMBS activities, click on: http://um-bs.com/donate/ or just deposit money on UMBS Bank A/C at Bank of Africa:07074320002 .