Muslims in Lunzu and surrounding areas gathered in large numbers at Lunzu Community Ground on Tuesday to observe Eid al Adha prayers despite the call from Majlis Ulama that Muslims should pray on Wednesday.
The prayers were attended by different people from different parts of the city with some coming all the way from Ndirande, Kachere, Kanjedza, Mudi and Mpingwe.
Sheikh Muhammad Atwiya, Principal of Ummari bun likhatwaabi Islamic Centre led the prayers with Khutba done by Sheikh Yusuf Mahamudu from the same centre.
Speaking in his sermon, sheikh Yusuf Mahamudu said there is no point in praying on Wednesday when Arafat was on Monday in Saudi Arabia.
“Islam teaches us to observe the fast when other people in Saudi Arabia are on Arafat. This is because we haven’t managed to go there to perform hajj. So today is Tuesday, Arafat was yesterday and everybody knows about it. So why should Muslims here in Malawi differ on the day to pray Eid?” wondered Mahamudu.
Other places prayed Eid al adha include some parts of Zomba at Islamic high school, a masjid at Naisi, Al bakri Masjid and other Masjids in Zomba.while in Mangochi, prayers were conducted at the community centre ground and other surrounding masjid.
Eid Adha confusion erupted in Malawi when Majlis Ulama announced that the day of prayers will be on Wednesday, the thing which other Muslims did not agree and eventually started making their announcements to pray Eid on Tuesday.
Reporting by Hassan Bhoma Phiri, Correspondent in Lunzu, Blantyre
