Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) Secretary General Sheikh Dr Salmin Omar says the ‘refurbished’ Association does not belong to any political party but it is ready to work with any government that is “in line with Islamic teachings that are meant to serve all people at all climes and times.”
The Secretary General said this at a Press Conference in Blantyre where the Muslims’ mother body was announcing names of the new Executive Committee members. He however said despite that any person having a right to join any party, his organisation would not encourage any one to support parties that oppress Muslims or against Islam.
“MAM as an organisation is not affiliated to any political party. We just support the current government. However, people as individuals, are free to join any party. The party, which does not contravene with the teachings of Islam , which is not against Islam,” he said.
He further said as a religious organisation, MAM would also continue respecting, cooperating and co-existing with other religious peacefully but with “the belief that others will also respect its beliefs and tenets accordingly”.
On another development, the organisation says it is planning to appoint external auditors to find out how funds have been handled in the just ended regime.
According to the organisation’s Treasurer General Issah Njauju, the adverts have already started appearing in newspapers looking for external auditors and he believes that the work will commence soon.
“It is true that there are those allegations that funds have been misused at MAM. But we want to tell you that right now, we have the hand over notes and we are looking for external auditors to do the job. Once done, we will let the public know the way forward,” he said.
Malawi Muslims official website has unconfirmed reports of fraudulent accounts where funds amounting to K7 million meant for HIV AIDS programmes are missing. The money was part of about K32 million which the organisation received from National AIDS Commission as its faith based response.
However, the Treasurer said the auditing is done to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the organization.
In a statement released by the organization says the general foundation of the new Central Body is “provision of justice, transparency and accountability in its operations with stakeholders as monitors”.
“In pursuance of this notion, the Central Body will, on regular basis, institute financial management system; produce annual financial statements; institute external audit of all MAM financial transactions; and to ensure that governance procedures are followed in the implementation of the development agenda,” reads the statement signed by the National chairman Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad which Malawi Muslims Official Website has a copy.
The new Executive committee is comprised of the following: Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad (National Chairman), Sheikh Shuaib Ibrahim (Vice Chairman), Sheikh Dr Salmin Omar (General Secretary), Ali Twanje (Deputy General Secretary), Issa Njauju (Treasurer General), Bujad Kalera (Deputy Treasurer General).
Regional Chairmen: James A Kaombe (south), Richard Banda (Central), and Lifa Binali (North).
Members: Biton Ajawa, Sheikh Ali Kennedy, Dr Abdulaziz Kazembe, Sheikh Yusuf Chibwana,, Omar Kaisi, Aman Kunje, Rodrick Mulonya , Sheikh Dinala Chabulika ,Twaibu Lawe , Abdallah Ndeketa, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Kalako , Ronack Mia , Alhaj Twalick Yusuf Asedi , Sheikh Mussa Matola , Asuman Wungwe and Osman Sabiti.
According to MAM Constitution, the position of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer General, Deputy Treasurer General and three Regional Chairmen requires elections to be conducted while other positions including those of the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General are attained by appointments made by the elected executive members and ratified by the Board of Trustees. The last election held on April 30, 2011 which saw the National Chairman winning it in a landslide victory.
May Almighty ALLAH Grant you The Chaiman ,SG and the entire executive committee great success in your endeavours.After appointing the committee put all your enegies together so that muslims should see change in the new MAM.Although 44% of the entire committee is from Mangochi,and 56% in shared in the remaining 27 districts,I hope the deliberations in the meetings will not favour Mangochi alone.Gentlemen we will be watching you closely,dont bulldose the Chairman,because you are many to give more cake to Mangochi,sorry it will be grave mistake.And again dont confuse and intimidate him with any political ideologies,we know Sh.Idrissa is avery strong man, let him work proffessionally.People who stole MAM,s money should pay back before the law takes its charge.People are sweating to get Halaal money.There is no free money in the world.Remember K10,000,000, that was meant for masaajid went into peoples pockets for their personal use[stealing].History should not repeat itself.munaba ndalama za asilamu mugulitse akatundu anu mukabweze,ulendo uno sitilola kuti zachisilamu samangana.Tikufuna ma school, masaajid,etc ku CZ, Nsanje,Dowa,Chitipa etc. Sheikh Jaafar Kawinga.[Muslim Forum for Democracy and Peace-MUSFORD-PEACE]
‘refurbished’ Association does not belong to any political party but it is ready to work with any government that is “in line with Islamic teachings that are meant to serve all people at all climes and times.”
Is there any govt in Mlw that can work according to Islamic teachings?
"We just support the current government."
If they support the current govt, is this means that the current gvt is working in line with Islamic teachings?
true………………………………!
Congratulations to the new committee.
You promised people what you were going to do for MAM if you were elected and now you are the executive members of MAM. The people want your works now and the time is now or never.Since the SG says MAM does not belong to any political party and if am not mistaken the SG has been the presidential advisor, how is he going to disassociate himself from this attachment he has with DPP or is it the President?
When he says, MAM will always work with the current government provided is in line with Islamic tenets,how will that be possible considering the fact that Malawian Constitution is not according to Islamic teaching?
Once again, congratulations and get to work.
SIMPLE ADVISE
yes it's a good move to see what the outgoing Executive did during its regime period.On my undestanding, accountability,and transparency is a process that will always be there as long as the organization exist.
I wish if I could see the new Executive takeing this notion seriouslly by putiing itself into account after every chosen specific period to evaluate its functions trying to answer questions like (are we really doing what we are supporsed to do?).
what the Executive promised to bring when elected must come into real being no more room for promises its time for work.
I believe all Muslims know and remember very well all the promises you have made during campigne time, I may ask them to follow all the events taking place in your respective offices so that they should experience a good change. And this is a very effective machanism of accountability.
yes change can not come dramatically but you the elected ones do the best to bring change.
Bear in your mind that, not Muslims elected or appointed you but just look up your head you will see who gave you that noble responsibility,so please do according to his will and to the expectation of the people so that you will be able to respond on that BIG DAY (Qiyamah)
Lets all muslims suport new excutive regadles plitical affeliation
THERE IS NOTHING WE PEOPLE FROM SALIMA, CHILADZULU, MULANJE OR WHEREVER TO MAKE CHARMANSHIP. WE FAILED COMPLETELY. MANGOCHI PEOPLE ARE THOSE WHO ARE SHOWING TO BE BRAVE, LETS WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THEM FOR THE SAKE OF ISLAM, AND LETS AVOID ANY PERSONAL HATRET WE HAVE AGAINST ANYONE IN THE COMMITTEE.
MAY ALLAH GUIDE THEM AND {HE} ALLAH SHOULD REMIND THEM WHAT THEY WERE PROMISING DURING TIME OF CAMPAIGN