Mufti Mubaje Pushes for Muhammad’s Birthday to Become Public Holiday

What the report says

Uganda’s Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, has renewed his appeal for government to declare Mawlid, the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s birth, a public holiday. He made the request on Tuesday during national Mawlid celebrations at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Kampala, saying formal recognition would allow Muslims to mark the Prophet’s life and teachings at a national level and would support religious inclusion.

The event brought together Muslim leaders, government officials, diplomats, scholars and worshippers from across the country during Rabi al-Awwal, the Islamic month linked to the Prophet’s birth. Third Deputy Prime Minister Hajjat Rukia Nakadama Isanga attended on behalf of Parliament Speaker Jacob Oboth Oboth and said she would pass the request to the relevant authorities. In remarks read out at the ceremony, Oboth said Parliament supports the UMSC’s call for recognition of Rabi al-Awwal and Mawlid al-Nabi, and welcomed continued dialogue on religious freedom and national unity.

Mubaje said the observance encourages reflection on values such as mercy, justice, truthfulness, humility and service to humanity. He also pointed to an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation resolution encouraging member states to commemorate the occasion. Beyond the holiday appeal, he said the UMSC plans to review Uganda’s Islamic education curriculum and revive religious publications, including a Luganda Quran translation, to reduce confusion from differing interpretations. The ceremony also highlighted the role of Islam in education, health and finance, with officials noting the potential of Islamic banking to support ethical services and small businesses.