BMM Uganda - Muharram 1448 AH Report
- Secretariat
- 4 hours ago
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MUHARRAM 1448 AH REPORT
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MUHARRAM
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred month of mourning for the Shia Muslim world. It marks the tragedy of Karbala in 61 AH, when Imam Hussain (a.s.), grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was martyred alongside his family and companions while standing firm against tyranny and oppression. His sacrifice preserved the values of truth, justice, and steadfastness for all generations to come.
In remembrance of this sacrifice, the Shia community observes an extended period of mourning that begins on the 1st of Muharram and continues through the month of Safar until Arbaeen, the fortieth day after Ashura. This period is marked by the raising of the black Alam (mourning flag), daily Majlis, Matam, Sabeel, Juloos, and the daily recitation of Ziyarat-e-Ashura. This report presents a complete account of the programmes held by Bilal Muslim Mission of Uganda (BMMU) across its centres during Muharram 1448 AH.
ALAM KUSHAI - RAISING OF THE BLACK MOURNING FLAGS
The month of Muharram 1448 AH began with the traditional Alam Kushai ceremony, held at Jinja Mosque and BMMU Headquarters on Martin Road. The black Alam was formally raised to mark the community's entry into the period of mourning for Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his companions, and remains flying throughout Muharram and Safar until Arbaeen. This solemn ceremony set the tone for the month and marked the formal commencement of BMMU's Muharram programmes at every centre across the country.
DAILY MAJLIS - 1ST TO 10TH OF MUHARRAM
From the 1st of Muharram until the Day of Ashura, daily Majlis-e-Aza were held without interruption at all BMMU centres across Uganda. Each Majlis included recitation of the tragedy of Karbala, scholarly address delivered by the respective Sheikhs on the lessons of Ashura sacrifice, patience, justice, and steadfastness followed by Noha and Matam, the rhythmic expressions of grief and solidarity with Ahlul Bayt (the Household of the Holy Prophet). Each Majlis concluded with Niyaz distributed to all attendees.
BMMU's six participating centres, reflecting the strength and unity of the Shia community throughout Eastern and Central Uganda during the month of mourning.
ASHURA - THE TENTH OF MUHARRAM
The Day of Ashura was observed with the day's programme combining the spiritual and physical commemorations customary to the occasion. The congregation performed Juma namaz together, after which the main Majlis of Ashura was held, centred on the recitation of the tragedy of Karbala and remembrance of the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his companions. This was accompanied by Matam and the recitation of Ziyarat-e-Ashura, the salutation traditionally read on this day and throughout the mourning period in honour of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the martyrs of Karbala. Respective Sheikhs delivered scholarly addresses on the significance of Ashura, and the day's observances concluded with the distribution of Niyaz to all attendees.
THE MUHARRAM JULOOS - A HISTORIC REVIVAL
As part of this year's Muharram programme, BMMU organised a Muharram Juloos (mourning procession) in Jinja City on Sunday, 28th June 2026, understood to be the first such public Juloos to take place in Jinja City in nearly sixty years, marking the revival of a tradition long dormant in the region. The event drew an overwhelming response, with attendance estimated at more than 500 participants who travelled from Kampala, Najja, Buikwe, Wannyange, Nakalanga, Tirinyi, Buweenge, Doho-Butaleja, Mayuge, and other parts of Eastern Uganda.
The Juloos was formally sanctioned by the Uganda Police Force, with the Regional Police Commander, Kiira, liaising directly with the organisers to provide security along the procession route. The procession departed from Narambhai Road, proceeded along Main Street, Bell Avenue, and Lubas Road to Clive Road, before returning to the Mosque, with volunteers, marshals, ambulance and security personnel stationed throughout to safeguard all in attendance. The day concluded with Zohar Namaz, Majlis, Matam, and Ziyarat-e-Ashura, together with the Chairman's address and the distribution of Niyaz to all present.
SABEEL-E-SAKINA - DISTRIBUTION OF WATER AND MILK
In commemoration of the thirst endured by Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his household at Karbala, BMMU carried out Sabeel the charitable distribution of drinking water and milk to the general public beginning two days before Ashura and continuing through to the Day of Ashura itself. Sabeel was carried out openly to the wider community, regardless of faith, as an act of khidmat (selfless service) in the name of Imam Hussain (a.s.).
Locations Covered
Jinja City
BMMU Headquarters, Martin Road
Kampala Shia Ithnasheri Jamaat (KSIJ) outside premises
Mayuge (ABIFU)
Buweenge
Lubani
Kyibundaire
In total, BMMU purchased and distributed over 30,000 bottles of mineral water and over 2,004 litres of milk to the communities served during this year's Sabeel programme.
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
On behalf of Bilal Muslim Mission of Uganda, I extend my heartfelt greetings to Africa Federation and to all who have supported our community through another season of remembrance for Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the martyrs of Karbala.
Muharram 1448 AH has been a month of profound spiritual reflection and remarkable communal achievement for BMMU. From the raising of the black Alam at Jinja Mosque and our Headquarters on Martin Road, through ten days of uninterrupted Majlis-e-Aza across our six centres, to the solemn observances of Ashura itself, our community once again demonstrated the strength, unity, and steadfastness that the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (a.s.) continues to inspire us.
I am particularly moved to reflect on the Muharram Juloos held in Jinja City on 28th June 2026. To revive a public procession that had not taken place in Jinja in nearly sixty years, and to see it embraced by close to five hundred participants who travelled from across Kampala, Eastern Uganda, and beyond, is a testament to the enduring devotion of our Shia community and to the trust and cooperation we have built with the Uganda Police Force and local authorities. This was a historic moment for BMMU, and one I hope future generations will look back on as the beginning of a restored tradition.
Equally significant was our Sabeel-e-Sakina programme, through which we distributed over 30,000 bottles of water and more than 2,000 litres of milk to the wider public across seven locations, regardless of faith or background. This act of khidmat in memory of the thirst endured at Karbala remains one of the purest expressions of the values Imam Hussain (a.s.) died to preserve: compassion, sacrifice, and service to humanity.
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of The Mainstay Foundation, whose contribution to this year's Niyaz and Sabeel programs was instrumental to their success, and the continued guidance and encouragement of Africa Federation, whose partnership remains a cornerstone of our work. I am equally grateful to our private donors, our respected Sheikhs for their scholarly guidance throughout the month, and our tireless volunteers who coordinated every Majlis, every Sabeel point, and every step of the Juloos with dedication and care.
As we move forward through Safar and toward Arbaeen, I pray that Allah (SWT) accepts the efforts of all who contributed to this year's programs, and that the lessons of Karbala truth, justice, and unwavering resolve in the face of tyranny continue to guide our community in the year ahead.
Labbaik Ya Hussain (a.s.)
Hajji Afzalali Bhimani
Chairman, Bilal Muslim Mission of Uganda
VOTE OF THANKS
BMMU extends its heartfelt gratitude to The Mainstay Foundation for its generous support toward this year's Niyaz and Sabeel programmes, without which a programme of this scale would not have been possible. We are equally grateful to Africa Federation for its continued guidance, encouragement, and support to BMMU and to Shia communities across the region.
Our sincere appreciation goes to all private donors for their generosity towards the success of this year's Muharram programme, and to the respective Sheikhs for their scholarly addresses and spiritual guidance delivered throughout the month.
We thank the dedicated volunteers for their tireless efforts in coordinating the Majlis, Sabeel, and Juloos programmes at every centre, and every attendee and participant, in some cases travelling from far beyond their home centres, who stood together in remembrance of Imam Hussain (a.s.). May Allah (SWT) accept the efforts of all who contributed to this year's programmes.
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