Muslim religious leaders have asked Christian clerics to stop attacking Islamic banking, but instead concentrate on ‘their Jewish banking systems.’
According to the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramadhan Mubbajje, Muslims are ready to defend their Islamic banking system because the holy Quran supports it.
“I have heard in the news and social media, that Christians don’t support Islamic Banking. It’s fine, that one doesn’t worry us because they are right to say it because it’s not in their books,” said Mubajje during Eid al-Fitr prayers at Old Kampala Mosque, adding that afterall Christianity allows ‘interests’ and tormenting those in need.
“Islam does not allow interest (riba) and that is why we refused Muslims to borrow money from ‘those’ banks because we have seen many people losing their little property. Someone has come for help, then how can you expect money from him by putting interest on him?” he asked.
In 2016, the Parliament passed the Financial Institutions Amendment Bill, which introduced the Islamic system of banking that allows for access to interest free loans with no collateral. Passing this Bill, however, is subject to the establishment of a Central Sharia Advisory Board in the Central Bank to regulate Islamic Banking.
However, some Christian pastors have urged that Islamic banking is the idea by Muslim fundamentalists in the Middle East and a subtle way of spreading Islam as a religion to the rest of the world.
Pastor Stephen Waiswa of the Bible Evangelism Ministries alluded that Islamic Banking is based on the Islamic Sharia’ Law, yet Uganda is not an Islamic country. “Our Motto says, ‘For God and my country’. I am surprised that government okayed Islamic banking to our country.”
Mubajje said Muslims asked for Islamic banking because it is the banking system they want.
Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Silman Kasule Ndirangwa from Kibuli also advised Christians not to start fighting their banking system.
“I would advise those against Islamic banking to come and ask how it works instead of fighting it,” said Ndirangwa.
