Uganda's top court threw out a legal challenge against the country's head Muslim leader. Four angry church members wanted to kick out Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje from his powerful job as Mufti. They claimed the 70-year-old religious chief broke the rules when he got picked for another term. The court said religious groups can handle their problems without government judges getting involved. Justice Bernard Namanya told the complainers that courts have no business meddling with church elections.
The Muslim Supreme Council changed their constitution just before the February vote to help their favorite leader stay in power. They bumped up the age limit from 70 to 75 years old right before Mubajje's birthday in March. The angry Muslims said this move was totally against the rules and wanted the court to declare him unfit for the job. Mubajje has been running Uganda's Muslim community since 2001 and controls decisions affecting nine million believers. The constitution changes came at a perfect time for the aging religious leader.
Judge Namanya said the Muslim Supreme Council works like a private club even though it affects millions of people. He refused to get the courts mixed up in religious arguments about who should lead the faithful. The ruling means Mubajje can keep his position without worrying about legal troubles from unhappy followers. The judge decided not to make the losing side pay court costs because he wanted peace among the Muslim community. The decision ends a bitter fight that has divided Uganda's Muslim leaders for months.
The Muslim Supreme Council changed their constitution just before the February vote to help their favorite leader stay in power. They bumped up the age limit from 70 to 75 years old right before Mubajje's birthday in March. The angry Muslims said this move was totally against the rules and wanted the court to declare him unfit for the job. Mubajje has been running Uganda's Muslim community since 2001 and controls decisions affecting nine million believers. The constitution changes came at a perfect time for the aging religious leader.
Judge Namanya said the Muslim Supreme Council works like a private club even though it affects millions of people. He refused to get the courts mixed up in religious arguments about who should lead the faithful. The ruling means Mubajje can keep his position without worrying about legal troubles from unhappy followers. The judge decided not to make the losing side pay court costs because he wanted peace among the Muslim community. The decision ends a bitter fight that has divided Uganda's Muslim leaders for months.
