Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore last Friday called on the Muslim community to follow correct procedures and present their complaints to the State Ministry of Physical Infrastructure. The governor said this would help the Muslim community regain their land that has been occupied by different members of the organized forces.
The call came during a press statement after Radio Tamazuj published in which the Muslim community in the Eastern Equatoria State capital, Torit, demanded that all their lands be vacated.
The governor’s office responded swiftly by issuing a statement directing the Muslim community to meet with the state ministry of Housing to seek clarification on “demarcation and maps” of the lands in question.
The state government has said it will adhere to the decision of the Ministry of Housing and enforce any recommendations by the ministry, including ensuring that the rights of the rightful owners of the lands in question are protected.
Oringa John Godfrey Chaka, the Press Secretary in the Office of the Governor, said it was unlawful for any individual to occupy a place of worship but urged for the right procedures in claiming in the occupied mosque and surrounding land.
He said the state government would ask any persons occupying places of worship, including mosques and churches, without any legal documents to vacate those lands.
“Indeed, it is unlawful for any individual to occupy an area of any religion if being Church or Mosque things which are meant to worship should be meant for worship, office of the Governor would like to simplify that the matter of allowing them to present their case to the Ministry of physical infrastructure so that the maps are seen, and things are drawn, they should have their right and anyone that occupies, of course, should know that you cannot last,” Oringa explained.
Oringa said governor Lobong has wished Muslims in the state Happy Eid Al-Fitr celebrations and added that ‘freedom of religion is a vital human right’.
He, however, urged citizens to respect different religions and collectively join denominations in exercising their faith and belief.
“We have respected such an important day; His Excellency the Governor would like to wish all the Muslim community in Eastern Equatoria State a happy Eid Al-Fitr as known in Eastern Equatoria State, freedom of religion is a fundamental human right as well as freedom of speech in the State, so regarding this, all Muslim communities should be free to exercise their faith and celebrate responsibly as well our domination join them in celebration and celebrate responsibly and adhere to respect the Faith,” he added.
For his part, Sheikh Awad Omar Okot, the Secretary-General for Islamic Council, has welcomed the call to submit complaints but says several attempts made to solve the issue were not successful.
He expressed commitment to work with the government in following up on the matter to ensure that the rights of all persons and groups involved in this land issue are respected.
“The issue of a space where people have built-in. Indeed people tried but have not succeeded on this issue, and we are still following up on this issue. These are some of the challenges facing us Muslims. Several steps were made, but no results; instead, there was a pull of the robe. Many people said this place belongs to them, that they possess documents, and we welcome this. In the end, it is the Government to give the rights. If it is the right of those people, they should give the right to those people, and if it is also a right for Muslims, they should also give us our rights. We shall try writing these complaints and submit to them,” Sheik Awad lamented.