It is just thirteen months for the country to experience tripartite elections in 2014. However, as a citizen, every eligible Muslim will be required to vote for his or her preferred candidate. However, the question that arises in mind is that who should we vote for in 2014? Should we vote someone because he is a Muslim by default or the one that will do things to the benefit of Muslims?
One can be a Muslim but do things that are not beneficial to Muslims and one can be a non-Muslim but do things that can benefit the Muslim community. So, the question is, to whom should Muslims’ vote go for? Here are views from some sheikhs around Blantyre.
Sheikh Tariq Chimambi is of the view that Muslims should vote for a person because of his or her capabilities not just because is a Muslim.
He says Muslims have been cheated in the past by many people who dumped them in search for high positions and other opportunities thereby violating the rights of the people who voted them.
โThe purpose of voting person into any position; be it President, Member of Parliament or Counselor is to help, so if that person has nothing to offer to the people who can vote ย for him or her l do not see the reason of voting that particular person.
โMuslims need to vote wisely, because we have been cheated in the past by many people who later dumped us in search for high positions and other opportunities thereby violating the rights of the people who voted them,โ he says.
Chimambi sentiments are echoed by Sheikh Muhammad Ismail who is of the view that Muslims should choose a person who will make everyone happy regardless of religion be it a Muslim or not because everyone was created by Allah.
He says in the past there have been some Muslims who have been castigating fellow Muslims saying that this is against the teaching of Islam.
โMuslims should vote for a person who will bring peace, the one who fear Allah not a person or criminals, not people who praise fellow human beings.
โIf that person is the President or MP should defend Islam because we have seen people in the past who have been saying in public meetings that will destroy Islam if voted into power,โ he says.
Sheikh Abdala Qassim says Muslims have been used during campaigns in the past but they never achieved anything at the end of the day.
He says some Muslims who have been voted into power have done nothing to help fellow Muslims.
โMalawi is a secular country. So l think it will be wise for us Muslims to vote for somebody who will satisfy our needs as Muslims,โ he says.
Are you eligible to vote? Tell us below, who should Muslims vote for come 2014?
