Liberia: Tension Clouds National Muslim Council
On July 10, 2010, the Union of Islamic Citizens of Liberia in Collaboration with the Concern Muslim of Liberia has demonstrated against the leadership of Sheikh Kafumba Konneh for what the group termed as election fraud, corruption and misapplication of funds that were intended for Liberian Muslims.
The protest which was held on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at the UMIL Headquarters in Sinkor brought together a group of aggrieved Muslims who demanded that the Supreme Court place an injunction on the induction of the officers elect of the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL).
The Group’s spokesman, Sam M.Kabbah , accused the Kafumba Konneh leadership of corruptions against Muslims and Imams in the country, and has undermined the progress of Islam in Liberia.
Mr.Kaba also presented documents he claimed were records depicting corruption, misapplication of funds and other forms of acts that the origination’s current leadership was carrying on and as a result of this , he said, the group had no other alternative but to ask the Supreme Court to put an injunction on the pending induction of the NMCL’s Officers elect.
Narrating further, Mr. Kabbah claimed that he has in his possession other important documents indicating series of financial transactions carried out between Kafumba Konneh’s leadership and the Islamic Development Bank from Saudi Arabia during Dr. Amos Sawyer’s Administration.
He alleged that over US$560, 00 were misappropriated by Sheik Kafumba Konneh during the Interim period.
Mr. Kabbah, lamenting further on his mounting allegations levied against the NMCL’s current leadership, revealed that some relief items sent by Islamic Organizations for Liberian Muslims and Christians as well, were never delivered to them neither did they benefited from those moneys he claimed were fully delivered to Sheik Konneh.
He alleged that the second phase of the money received by Sheik Konneh amounted to, to (US$ 172,000) one hundred and seven-two thousand United States Dollars that came for the Muslim Congress School which he claimed, vanished and at the end of the 2003 war another amount of (US$ 100,000) one hundred thousand of United States Dollars also came and was misapplied.
Mr. Kabbah averred that currently there is a prohibition before the Supreme Court of Liberia for a stay order to be placed on the induction of Skeik. Konneh and other officers elect because, he claimed, the April 31, 20120 elections was also marked by fraud and other mal-practices.
He alleged that Mr.Konneh was only able to bring most of his kingsmen which is the Mandingos group over here to take part or take full control of the elections, but leaving out others from Margibi, Bassa, Sinoe, Rivercess and Maryland Counties out of the elections process.
Meanwhile, Sheik Kafumba Konneh when contacted at his Clay Street residence for his response on the allegations levied against him refuted the allegation and called on his accusers to prove their case.
The Chairman Elect of the National Muslim Council of Liberia, Sheik Kafumba Konneh, in his rebutter against the aggrieved party, said those who are making allegations against him and other members of the Council were confused and misguided and don’t know where they are heading.
However, Sheik acknowledged that the Supreme Court has invited him and his accusers on many occasions for hearing into their complaints filed, but that they have failed to so far proof any of the claims made against his leadership and vowed that the inauguration will go on as long as the executive meeting was over.
See on-line at: http://allafrica.com/stories/201007140764.html
Uganda: Muslims Fight for Cemetery
On June 17, 2010, Muslims in Jinja have asked President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in a wrangle over a cemetery.
The cemetery, located on Clive Road West in Jinja central division, is mostly used by Muslims of Asian origin.
In a June 17 letter, the Muslims said the cemetery had been earmarked for other development projects.
“This proposed course of action has caused considerable upset among our community, who still consider Uganda their homeland. This cemetery is the final resting place of our loved ones and we regard this course of action as tantamount to desecration,” the letter, signed by Dr. Hussein Jiwa, the president of the Council of European Jamaats, said.
The Jinja Hospital medical superintendent, Dr. Christine Ondoa-Onama, told The New Vision on Tuesday that the land belonged to the hospital. She declined to comment further.
Onama instead referred The New Vision to the permanent secretary in the health ministry, whom she said is mandated to speak on matters concerning the ministry’s properties.
The Jinja municipal council public relations officer, Rajab Kitto, said: “We have not received any communication from the concerned parties and such a matter has never been discussed in our meetings.”
See on-line at: http://allafrica.com/stories/201007080080.html
Islam in Africa Watch 