By the virtue of being a leader, mostly one is supposed to be respected and given appropriate support or assistance.
In other countries, a Mufti or any other Muslim leader is given all respect he deserves, but that is not the case in Malawi.
Inspite of working vigorously to promote the religion of Islam in the country, Muslim leaders or scholars are not valued – their efforts are not recognised. This is evidenced by the treatment they get.
The scenario has not even spared the country’s Grand Mufti Abbas Cassim who has imparted knowledge on several prominent sheikhs in the country that parades itself as a Warm Heart of Africa.
Malawi Muslims Official Website has established that the masjid that Mufti Abbas uses to observe his daily salah is in a very dilapidated condition, which shows that Muslims do not appreciate his contribution to Islam.
When asked how the condition of the masjid affects his spiritual life, Mufti Abbas said:
“It really becomes difficult to pray especially during the rainy season because the masjid has no roof – the iron sheets were blown away by wind.”
Of course, there is a masjid a kilometre away from his residence but due to his old age, he cannot manage to walk to the praying house for daily Salah.
“It would have been better if the masjid was rehabilitated,” appealed Mufti Abbas who resides in Mangochi.
Mufti Abbas was given his muftiship role over 5 years ago but his influence in the Muslim society is hardly seen as he is used as a dummy.
Most functions which is invited as guest of honour, he is not given an opportunity to deliver his speech but only to offer closing dua.
Worse still, during these events the mufti is not accorded the respect he deserves. For example, at a recent Iftaar program organised by Islamic Concern in Blantyre, the Mufti was given a second class treatment.
The organisation prepared two kinds of food which was distributed according to the prominence. However, as politicians and other prominent figures were enjoying mouth-watering food, Mufti was given meal which was prepared for the ordinary Muslims.
Have Malawi Muslims Abandoned Their Mufti?
its a challenge for MAM National Chair, plse work on it
It is indeed sad that Mufti is only considered during functions. How about drawing ideas from him? Two observations, though: first you should have gone out to find out more on this issue; what package goes along with the position of Mufti in Malawi? Who proposed that we have a Mufti? How did they want the life of Mufti to be like? Are there ToRs for him? Why have they 'abandoned' the Mufti now? What should be the way forward? You should have further made a comparison between a picture of the Mosque which the Mufti is using and possibly with Al-Madina Mosque or any other Mosque in Mangochi which the 'ordinary' Muslims use. As a feature this article should have been better presented for me that it is if there were more quotes from people. Secondly, as usual, gramaticle errors because of rushing to publish a 'scoop'. My plea is be smart in your issue presentation.
Mainly when every body is claiming to be a mufti then its deficult to give him maxmum respect.unless muslims should accept that he is our mufti then its easy to respect him as per required honour.
It seems musford has a lot of information, .So, the muslim community has not accepted him as a mufti ? Did he claim to be a mufti? Please enlighten us.
Concerned muslim,The mufti did not apoint himself nor claim muftiship.But its the learned sheikhs had a"Shura" that found that He is a great Sheikh and deserves a great name due to grand job he did for deen in this country.All these Sheikhs who are parading or making noise in this country and beyond were tought by Mufti Abbas.So when this was done All muslims applauded and accepted that decision,which was 100% excellent.But there some fanatic Sheikhs in our community who are claiming to be muft whithout being chosen by any body .So thats where the problem is.We can not chose some one and start demeaning him.Country men respect our elders Allah will send people to respect us when we are old