Muslims who came to witness the official opening of new Islamic Information Bureau office in Ntcheu on Sunday were irritated with the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) National Chairman Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad’s ‘uncalled-for’ remarks.
The chairman, who was the Guest of Honour at the function blasted Muslims in the country in the presence of non Muslims saying they don’t contribute much money to the noble course instead they blame the Association for any failures.
“Muslims in Malawi are different from Christians. Every Month, Christians pay Chachikhumi (Tithe) but Muslims are failing even to contribute 2.5% per year. When I took over MAM chairmanship, I asked everyone to contribute Fifty Kwacha per month, the funds which MAM would have been using for some developmental activities. But since then, nobody has contributed even a single penny. And yet today, someone is coming to my office saying he wants money, money for what?” said a highly charged Malawi Muslims’ leader.
Another thing which irritated Muslims it is when the chairman told the function, which was attended by about 150 non Muslim chiefs that his fellow Muslims wanted to bewitch him after he was bought a new car.
“After a well-wisher bought me a car other people approached numerous witchdoctors in search of charms that would make me involved in a car accident and eventually die but they failed,” he said.
After the function, several people, who did not want to be mentioned, said they were angry with the remarks saying it is not what they expected from a well respectable sheikh like him.
“This was the worst speech our Muslim leader has ever made. We expected him to talk more about the function but instead he lost direction. He could have taken example from what his friends such as Senior Chief Kwataine who produced tangible remarks,” said one of the concerned Muslims.
Another Muslim brother who also came to attend the function said: “I was ashamed as if I am the one speaking. I was thinking how non Muslims would look at us here. What impression was he trying to give? If it was a function attended by Muslims only then there could be no any problem. He was too emotional.
“Senior Chief Kwataine has said the coming of bureau will help them to know more the true teachings of Islam. So, with what the chairman has said, does it reflect to the true teachings of Islam? Castigating your fellow Muslims in public?”
