ARUA MUSLIM DISTRICT LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING DRIVE FOR MULTIMILLION MOSQUE AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX PROJECT

A photo taken on February 5, 2025 showing the current state of the Mosque project. All photos by Godwin Abedican.

By Godwin Abedican
 
Arua City
 
The leadership of Arua Muslim district has officially launched a fundraising drive towards mobilizing funds for the next phase of works at the multimillion Irshad Mosque and commercial complex in Arua city.
 
The project started with a groundbreaking in May last year presided over by His Eminence the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Alhaj Shaban Ramadan Mubaje and works began immediately with demolition of the old structure.
 
Since then the works currently stand at the hard coring and slab casting stage with the fundraising aimed at raising about 25 million Ugandan shillings for the hard coring and casting of the slab.
 
While speaking during the launch of the fundraising drive on February 5, 2025 at the project site, Halima Brahan, the Chairperson Construction committee for the Mosque project called upon the Muslim faithful to unite for this noble cause highlighting challenges in resources.
 
“This project is not just about erecting walls. It’s about laying the foundation for generations to come. It’s an investment in our faith and a source of unending reward.  Every contribution no matter how small, brings us closer to achieving the project target. Together in unity and sincerity, we can transform this vision into reality. I therefore request all of us including those who have already contributed to continue contributing aware that this project does not have a specific donor. We shall receive the Jannah that we are looking for through the success of the project,” she said.

Halima Brahan, the Chairperson Construction committee for
the Mosque project speaking during the fundraising.

Out of the two projects, the commercial complex was since leased to bidders who are currently moving on with its construction and has reached the ground floor slab level with so far 50 percent of the shs. 1.8 billion Cost of the complex paid by the bidders as the second installment of 25 percent is set to be paid for starting at the casting of the ground floor slab.
 
Hassan Mwinyi, the project engineer from Tu-ambe Construction Company that is undertaking the construction of the mosque pledges commitment and transparency as the works proceed.
 
“As of now we have carried out around 20 percent of the works. I would like to clear that if I am talking about 20% and what people are seeing is not matching what I say, it should be known that for a storey-building, there is a lot of ground work that is done before you see the walls coming up. I will work with the necessary offices to ensure that the monies that are solicited from the different sources are put to the right use,” the engineer said.
 
Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, the secretary for education at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Arua Muslim district while reflecting on the importance of the call to support the work of Allah says, if Muslims can unite for such a project it will help in transformation of lives and faith among them.
 
“Nobody should say if I give my money there, the district Khadi is going to eat. No. Allah says if you contribute, he is going to build for you a house in Jannah.  A mosque is not a place where we only pray to God, the mosque is a place for rehabilitation for Muslims, a mosque is a place of reconciliation for Muslims, a mosque is a place of union, a mosque is an education center. It’s a complete social center and by the power of Allah, this project will be pushed until completion,” Sheikh Juma emphasized.
Sheikh Abu Jafar Shaban, the district Khadi Arua Muslim district regrets the negative attitudes of some people who are interested in sabotaging the mosque Project.
 
“It has been long since we started this project and we are having a slow progress. Allah’s work always needs commitment. 6 years now, I have been here, I have never seen any donor taking up such a project and how I wish the donor was there and comes out openly on this matter especially where people are claiming that there is a funder for this project. If you feel that you don’t want, it’s my prayer that it’s your right not to contribute but don’t sabotage, don’t spread false information which is more damaging than you absconding,” he cautioned.  
 
Sheikh Abu Jafar Shaban, the district Khadi Arua Muslim
district making a point during the fundraising.
 
About the ownership of the land where the site is, he clarifies that, the matter has been sorted out.
 
“Since we started the project, it has never been easy. There were a lot of threats and intimidations, but we thank God that His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the president pronounced himself through the second deputy Prime Minister Gen. Moses Ali on the issue of the land conflict between us and the Indian community. Therefore, my call to the Muslims is that, now the land is ours and, in our hands, so there is need for us to develop it as fast as we can, he appealed.
The launch of the fundraising drive for the construction of Irshad Mosque and commercial complex is the beginning of a journey ahead of a mega fundraising set to be held in the near future before the season of Ramadhan according to initial plans where the speaker of parliament is expected to be the Chief Guest.
 
The contract period for the 700 million Mosque project was initially 2 years but has continued to face delays due to slow responses in resource mobilization. 
 
The project is being overseen by the office of the District Khadi and has been assigned to the construction committee.
 
At its current state, the construction works of the mosque has so far costed more than 100 Million Ugandan shillings in terms of labor, materials and other aspects of the construction works.
 
Tents erected at the Mosque project site for the fundraising.