The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) says it will be providing free meals to the international students during the holy month of Ramadhan. The plan was revealed today by the Secretary of the University Mr Rashid Kinsambwe during the meeting with leaders of the international students.
According to Kinsambwe, the Initiative has been put in place to support the students who are residing in the halls of residents during this time of temporary closure of schools due to novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Mr Kinsambwe says, a restaurant within IUIU-Main campus in Mbale Municipality will be serving the students within a specific time to allow the service providers also observe Government directives on COVID-19 such as Curfew.
He says students are allowed to go to the restaurant and collect their meal such as rice , beans etc between 5 pm to 6: 30 pm to avoid congestion in the restaurant which is against Government directives.
“You are allowed to go and pick your meal but avoid the large clouds. As the university is providing you with free meals during this holy month of Ramadhan , you are also reminded to follow all the precautionary measures put in place by Government to defeat COVID-19. You should always observe social distancing by waiting outside the restaurant when more than five people have gone to correct their meals and that is why we have given you enough timeframe,” Kinsambwe says.
IUIU has international students from countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, Rwanda, DRC, Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi and Comoros among others. Ramadhan (ninth month) is very important in the Islamic calendar, and Muslims all over the world take part. During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims don’t eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is called fasting.
Fasting is important during Ramadhan as it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to God. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis of how Muslims live their lives. The other pillars are faith, prayers, charity and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
