Ugandans 'forgive' Gaddafi remark

Ugandan clerics pointed out the Bible was written before Muhammad was born.

Kampala Archbisop Cyprian Lwanga told an Easter mass congregation to forget Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's remarks.

Colonel Gaddafi made his comments whilst in Uganda's capital, Kampala, last week to open a giant mosque. He

has since left the country.

"How can we be blamed for not including what was not in existence?" said Archbishop Lwanga in his sermon for Easter prayers at Rubaga Cathedral.

"I ask fellow Christians to forgive Gaddafi like Jesus forgave those people who crucified him on the cross."

At Kampala's Christ the King Church, Monsignor Paul Ssemwogerere said: "Since the Muslim community has already distanced itself from Colonel Gaddafi's sentiments, let's forgive him as Christians."

Incident

Namirembe Bishop Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde asked the government to guide foreign visitors who might make divisive remarks in future.

"We should pray for such people who don't know that in Uganda, we have an Inter-Religious Council that unites us regardless of our religious differences. Muslims and Christians live harmoniously without any problem," he said.

Seeking to defuse the row, President Yoweri Museveni said he had spoken to the Libyan leader about Christianity after the speech.

"I do not believe in competition between religions. After all, God has no religion. God is for us all," the president said during Easter prayers at Nshwere Church in Kiruhura, according to a statement.

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