UMSC, South Sudan Islamic Council Renew 10-Year Cooperation Deal

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and the Islamic Council of South Sudan have signed a new decade-long partnership aimed at strengthening Islamic leadership, education, and institutional development across the region (Photo Credit: Nile Post)

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has renewed its cooperation with the Islamic Council of South Sudan (ICSS) by signing a new ten-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant step in fostering Islamic unity and institutional development in the East African region.

The agreement, signed at the UMSC headquarters in Old Kampala, replaces a previous two-year MoU and was concluded during the closing ceremony of a week-long leadership training for 40 Muslim leaders from South Sudan.

The partnership aims to enhance regional collaboration in key areas including Islamic education, conflict resolution, governance, and leadership training.

The ICSS, which is still in its early stages of institutional development, is expected to benefit from UMSC’s experience in managing Islamic structures and community programs.

UMSC Secretary General Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi said the agreement reflects a commitment to long-term regional cooperation.

“This partnership ensures a continuous exchange of ideas and support in strengthening the Muslim leadership in South Sudan,” Ssekyanzi said. “It’s a model of how we can build resilient Islamic institutions through collaboration.”

The leadership training program, hosted in partnership with the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), was held at IUIU’s Female Campus in Kabojja and covered a wide range of topics including Islamic banking, administration, preaching methodologies, and mediation skills.

The facilitators included renowned scholars such as Dr. Sheikh Ziyadi Swaleh Lubanga, Sheikh Hassan Mwaita, and heikh Abdallah Sserujja, who led sessions tailored to the unique challenges facing emerging Muslim leadership in South Sudan.

Abdallah Baraji Rual, Secretary General of the ICSS, welcomed the MoU as a timely initiative that cements regional Islamic solidarity.

“This cooperation enhances brotherhood between Uganda and South Sudan,” he said. “We commend Mufti Mubaje for his reformist leadership and commitment to Islamic propagation. This MoU is a milestone in our institutional journey.”

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, who presided over the ceremony, reaffirmed UMSC’s readiness to offer technical and spiritual support to Muslim communities in neighboring countries.

“We are committed to sharing our experience to strengthen the pillars of Islamic leadership and education in South Sudan,” Mufti Mubaje said.

The renewed MoU is expected to guide inter-institutional activities through 2035 and reflects broader efforts to promote peaceful coexistence, religious scholarship, and socio-economic dev

Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/274887/umsc-south-sudan-islamic-council-renew-10-year-cooperation-deal