Pork Sale near Muslim burials sparks controversy in Uganda
Selling of pork near Islamic burial sites in Uganda has been condemned by Muslim bodies and lawmakers in the African country.
The Ugandan Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), Muslim members of parliament and Muslim leaders condemned the phenomenon on Friday.
A leader in the Muslim community, Imam Hassan Kiberu, said that in Ugandan communities if someone dies in a village, all the villagers and relatives, near and far, irrespective of religion, attend the burial ceremony.
“Those who sell roasted pork target the hundreds of people who turn up for the burial. They place their charcoal a small distance from the homes where the burial is taking place and start roasting and selling pork to people,” he said.
Muslim members of parliament said the act is an abuse of religion and should be immediately stopped.
“It is very bad. There is a need for all Ugandans to respect each other’s religion. It is not good for someone dealing in pork to sell it in a place where there are Muslims,” MP for Busongora, Sowedi Kitanya, in the Kasese district told news agencies.
Muhammad Kato, MP from the Mbirizzi district, said: “Local leaders in Uganda and the leaders of all the religions in the country should educate people to respect each other’s faith and avoid antagonizing one another.”
“I condemn that habit of selling pork at burial places. It should be stopped immediately,” chairman of the Buikwe district, Jimmy Kanabi, told the media.
