Kampala, Uganda - The Uganda Ahmadiyya Muslim community will next Tuesday join other faithful worldwide in celebrating 100 years of the group's existence.
The climax of the celebrations will be marked with the slaughter of 100 goats at the mission's headquarters in Wandegeya, Kampala on May 31.
The head of the community in Uganda, Maulana Inayatullah Zahid, told The New Vision recently that each goat slaughtered symbolises one year of the 100 years of the group's existence.
He said members and guests would discuss the activities of the mission in Uganda as part of the celebrations.
"A one-day national spiritual convention will be held in Wandegeya on May 31 and will be attended by over 2,000 delegates to elaborate the leadership of the mission, its achievements and the way forward," Zahid said in a statement.
The First Lady, Janet Museveni, Zahid revealed, would open a maternity ward in Mbale Ahmadiyya Mission Hospital to mark the centenary celebrations.
The mission leaders are currently visiting hospitals and holding free medical camps in different parts of the country.
A camp for diabetic patients was held in Mbale Hospital last week where over 200 people were treated
Zahid said 10 mosques constructed in different parts of the country would also be opened as part of the festivities.
"Wherever the community is established, it endeavours to exert a constructive influence of Islam through social projects, educational institutes, health services, Islamic publications and construction of mosques."
He said the mission's advocates for Islamic morals, spiritual values, peace, tolerance, love and understanding among followers of different faiths.
Zahid appealed to the community's members to avoid segregation and be law-abiding.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community was founded in 1889 by Hadhrat Ahmad in Punjab, India.
It has branches in over 190 countries with over 10 million members.
In Uganda, the mission was introduced in 1935 and has about 25,000 followers.