Confusion has erupted in the Malawi Muslim community again as National Ruyatul Hilaal and Majlis Ulama are failing to agree on Eid Adhuha day.
This website understands thats Majlis Ulama Vice Chairman Sheikh AbdulRahman Kalako announced on Radio Islam that the date of Arafah will be on Monday which means Eid Adhuha will take place on Tuesday next week.
However, the Muslim fraternity was surprised to hear the sheikh again on following morning withdrawing the statement saying the Eid will take place on Wednesday.
The drama hasn’t stopped there as reports just reaching this website also indicate that National Ruyatul Hilaal is to announce that the Eid will be on Tuesday as stated by Majlis Ulama Vice chairman earlier on.
This is not the first time for Malawi to face the confusion on the date of Eid Adhuha. In 2010, controversy erupted when these two organisations also differed on the day, which led Muslims to pray Eid on different days.
However, last year there was no a repeat of such incident as Majlis Ulama bow down to the National Ruyatul Hilaal and Muslims observed the Eid prayers on the same day.
Sheikh Dinala Chabulika who is spokesperson for both organisations could not be reached on his mobile phone for a comment.
Nevertheless, Majlis Ulama Secretary General Sheikh Cassim Chongolo confirmed the development in an interview with Malawi Muslims Official Website and he said leaders are meeting on Saturday at Madinah Masjid in Limbe to “iron out these issues.”
He said Muslims will be communicated the outcome of the meeting.
He however, said personally he doesn’t see the reason why Muslims should pray on Wednesday when many other countries will be praying on Tuesday.
“In 2010, we had the same scenario. Muslims prayed on different dates. Last year, it was also the same but as a matter of unity some sheikhs bow down to the Ruyatul Hilaal’s request though they were not convinced on the reasons why we should differ on dates. This year, Saudi will be observing the prayers on Tuesday and why not us? After all it is only 30 minutes different in time,” he said.
