Beginning May 17th, Muslims all over the country begun a month long fast as part of Ramandan. From sun-up to sun-down, observers are expected to abstain from food, drinks and sex among others.
This year’s fasting period will end with Eid al Fitr on or about June 16, depending on the sighting of the moon.
However before this happens, Pastor Stephen Waiswa of Bible Evangelism Ministries – Kawempe hopes to use this same season to bring as many to Christ as possible.
Using gospel debates (better referred to as apologetic discussions), Pastor Waiswa while in Kampala on May 23 attempted questions about relations between Muslims and Christians that continue to receive widespread attention in the media and society at large.
In particular, “Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?” and
“Who is the way to heaven – Jesus or Mohammad?”
The Pastor told Muslims there are several fundamental differences pertaining the Christian gospel and in particular the New Testament teachings about Jesus Christ.
His crusades at Katwe – clock tower near Entebbe stage run on nearly a daily basis, attracting crowds, majority Muslims.
Muslims, according to the preacher, are united in their belief in Allah, the Qur’an as Allah’s revelation, and Muhammad as his final prophet.
Although it may come as a surprise to Christians to learn that most Muslims deny Jesus died on the cross, Surah 4:155–159 has been taken by many as claiming that although the Jewish leaders tried to kill Jesus, they “did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but they thought they did.”
For Muslims, the preacher urges, it’s unthinkable that God would allow Jesus, God’s anointed prophet, to be crucified.
Pr Waiswa quoted verses such as Isaiah 59:3 which says “for your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things” to condemn the Islamic teaching among the faith teachers on ground.
He later quoted Matthew 22:29 in which Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
The discussions are often guided as follows:
1. A Muslim speak for 20 minutes – and later a Christian.
2. A Muslim comes for re-battle for 10 minutes, and the Christian after.
3. The moderator then asks one question for both sides to answer in 5 minutes.
It is from this that the audience decides where the truth is.
