The Real Reason Why “Tipange Dawa” Is Off Air
By AbdulMageed Dyton
Radio Islam (Malawi) has explained that the real reason why “Tipange Dawa” program is off air is not because the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) banned it but rather it was suspended by the Radio Islam management.
Radio Islam was reacting to the article that appeared on Malawi Muslim Website alluding to the fact that MACRA banned the popular program after the body received some complaints against the program.
“It is true that MACRA received complaints from our friends of the Christian faith and MACRA communicated (the complaints) to us in writing,” explained Sister Fatima Jafali, a Spokesperson for the Station, “…in fact, we are discussing with them to see how best we can resolve the issue.
“But is was not MACRA who banned the program, it was actually Radio Islam management who decided to suspend (its broadcast) so that the discussions are done in good faith.”
Asked to explain the specific complaints against the program, Sister Fatima explained that, “among other things they say that the preachers castigate Christians and that they quote Bible verses out of context.”
The complainants also suggested that instead, the program should only concentrate on verses from the Holy Quran and that it should not mention (at all) Jesus Christ or the Holy Bible.
“But it is difficult,” Sister Fatima lamented, “because Jesus Christ and the Bible are also mentioned in the Holy Quran, so how can we avoid mentioning them?”
It is not uncommon to see private radio stations in Malawi crossing paths with MACRA up to the extent of dragging it to court and Radio Islam is no stranger to this. But the station has managed to sail through those difficult moments and it is yet to be seen on how they will resolve the “Tipange Dawa” complaints.
“A meeting was scheduled yesterday, (Wednesday March 3, 2011) but was postponed since it was a public holiday (in Malawi) and we are waiting for MACRA to communicate a new date to us.” concluded Sister Fatima.
