Muslim cleric apologises over Ebola, Namugongo comments

Muslim cleric Sheikh Abdul Hamid Kalungi has apologised to Catholics and Anglicans over remarks in which he celebrated the cancellation of this year’s Uganda Martyrs pilgrimage to Namugongo over Ebola concerns.

Kalungi issued the apology over the weekend after a video of his earlier sermon circulated on social media and drew accusations of religious hostility and intolerance.

In the clip, Kalungi celebrated Ebola’s disruption of the annual pilgrimage. He also prayed for a similar event to prevent future celebrations.

“We are very thankful for Ebola which Allah brought down to ensure that the Namugongo celebrations do not take place,” Kalungi said in the earlier sermon.

“We also pray that even next year, Ebola does the same, or something else like that so that we do not have such celebrations again.”

He also questioned the religious basis of pilgrims walking long distances to Namugongo, arguing that “Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey.”

The remarks attracted criticism and prompted petitions against the cleric. Kalungi said one of the complaints came from one Fredrick Derrick, while another accused him of promoting “religious hostility” and being “intolerant”.

Kalungi said he initially disagreed with the criticism but reconsidered after listening to his sermon three times.

“I went back and listened to the clip three times and realised that indeed my message was as described,” he said.

He said religious preaching should not create hatred or unrest between communities.

“Our sermon is not meant to cause unrest and hatred in people’s hearts. Every time war arises, the first thing that dies is the truth,” Kalungi said.

“In our field, different sects claim to carry the only truth. Each pulls to their side…but our message, which seeks to invite people to Islam, does not involve hostility,” he said.

Kalungi then withdrew his earlier remarks and apologised to those offended.

“I therefore saw the need to disavow that message. What I said was inappropriate for that moment. I apologise to everyone that has been hurt by my words, especially to the Catholics and the Anglicans and the petitioners,” he said.

He maintained that religious differences would remain but argued that communities must learn to accommodate them.

“Even though there are differences that we found and still remain today and which we shall leave, differences must be allowed to exist,” he said.

Kalungi said Islamic teaching does not require Muslims to force everyone to adopt their faith. He used everyday religious practices to illustrate the importance of coexistence.

“Otherwise, Muslims would be closing down roads on Sundays to prevent people from going to Church or the born-agains would cut off electricity to prevent Muslims from calling Adhan,” he said.

The cleric also rejected advice from lawyers who had initially urged him against apologising and suggested that he defend himself in court instead.

“I also wish to respond to our lawyers who initially discouraged an apology and said we should simply meet in court. This is also wrong because our religion is truth based,” Kalungi said.

“Others thought an apology would weaken our side, but this is not competition. What matters is the truth.”