Muscat – Uganda’s historical links with Islamic nations, including Oman, aren’t well known but it’s a safe haven for people of all faiths. The country has a diverse and rich culture, and is remarkably hospitable to people of all faiths.

In this edition of the ‘Ramadan around the world’ series, we visit Uganda to explore how Oman played a role in introducing Islam in the country, and influenced Ugandan culture and tradition.

According to Mohamed Nasser Ammar al Harthi, who has researched and is currently in the final stage of publishing a book on Omanis in Uganda, Omanis travelled deep into Africa from its eastern coast during the reign of Seyyid Said bin Sultan in Zanzibar. Uganda was one of the major destinations for Omanis.

“In 1844, Ahmed bin Ibrahim al Amri, who introduced Islam to the King of Buganda in Uganda, was the first Omani and foreigner to enter Uganda,” Harthi said.

Dishdashas, locally known as ‘kanzu’ – worn by men in some parts of East Africa – become more visible during Ramadan.

“The King of Buganda (Kabaka) who accepted Islam was the first to put on the Omani dishdasha and the bisht (bisuti) followed by his senior officials in 1844. The kanzu was then adopted as standard clothing for men in Buganda and slowly spread to other neighbouring regions, including Toro, Bunyoro and Busoga,” Harthi informed.

“The pattern and design of the original Omani dishdasha, which women traditionally wove by hand, continues in Uganda, albeit now it’s tailored locally.”

Speaking to Muscat Daily from Uganda’s capital Kampala, Ngabirano Aziz said, “People go to mosques during the month of Ramadan wearing kanzus. It’s a unique tradition that continues today.

“You can’t escape the spirit and feel of Ramadan. It’s everywhere. Everyone, regardless of faith, feels its Ramadan. There is peace and respect for all those fasting. Rice is staple food during Ramadan. People break fast with bananas and porridge.”

Aziz, however, said that his day is filled with mixed emotions in these hard times, mostly wondering if he’ll manage to get food for iftar for his family. “I can’t devote most of my time supplicating, but rather struggling to find what to put on the table. When I get money, which sometimes I don’t, I buy food to break the fast,” he said. But there are people in Uganda, too, like in other countries, who make sure the less privileged have food for iftar to break their fast. Kampala resident Sulaiman Said Hassan is one among those generous individuals.

“Everyday, my family and I prepare meals that I transport to the masjid for distribution at iftar time. Rice and chicken or meat stew and matooke are common,” he said from Kampala.

“In Uganda, non-Muslims also rejoice about Ramadan. They mingle with others in the masjid, having the food that is distributed. In this way, they get to learn more about Islam,” Sulaiman informed.

Describing a typical day during Ramadan, he said, “I start my day at 4am when I say my night prayers, followed by Fajr prayers and taking the children to school and then going to office where I get very busy.

“I start preparing iftar after Duhr, if I have to, but most of the time it’s done by my wife. I usually help her after picking up the children from school at 3pm. Since there isn’t much time between Maghrib and Isha, I immediately drive to the masjid for Isha and Taraweeh prayers.”

Though the Muslim population in Uganda is small, compared to other neighbouring countries like Kenya and Tanzania, the fervour of Ramadan is evident everywhere. “The festivities are at a peak in the masjid during iftar,” he said.