MAM chair urges unity, unveils new grand mufti

 Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) national chairperson Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad has called for unity of purpose among Muslim scholars in a bid to serve Muslims in the country better.

He made the call in Blantyre yesterday during an elective conference of the Ulama Council of Malawi (Ucam) attended by about 65 Muslim scholars from across the country.

Among highlights of the conference were election of a new Ucam committee and unveiling of sheikhs Muhammad Osman Mtalika and Ali Kennedy as grand (State) mufti and deputy grand mufti, respectively.

Mtalika replaces grand mufti Abbas Cassim who died three years ago.

“We need to pull in one direction and build on each other’s strengths for the good of the Muslim community in the country.

“We depend on you scholars gathered here to research widely and guide us accordingly,” s a i d M u h a m m a d before announcing the dissolution of the previous Ucam committee, to pave the way for fresh elections, which saw Sheikh Mussa Matola being re-elected chairperson.

Matola has been joined in the committee by sheikhs Swaly Chilundu as vice-chairperson, Abassie Vinjenje (secretary), Salimn Omar (vice-secretary), Mufti Ismail Alan (treasurer) and Maulana Massie (vice-treasurer). Four other sheikhs have been roped in as committee members.

Muhammad later informed the gathering that tenure of the Ucam committee has been increased from five to 10 years.

Speaking earlier, MAM publicity secretary Sheikh Dinala Chabulika informed the gathering, which was convened by MAM secretary general Alhaji Twaibu Lawe, that the new Ucam committee will be mandated to form a national moon-sighting committee.

“We have been encountering challenges in this area; so whatever will be coming from this sub-committee as regards sighting of the moon will be final,” he said.

One of the delegates, Sheikh Osman Abdullah from Rumphi said it was worthwhile to attend the conference.

He said he looks forward to more of such gatherings as promised by the national chairperson when he opened the conference.

In his acceptance speech, Matola called on his fellow Muslim scholars to respect senior sheikhs, saying they are a rich source of knowledge.

In an inter view later, Matola said he will work towards uniting sheikhs in the country.