Islamic Information Bureau (IIB) National Coordinator Sheikh Dinala Chabuilka has expressed his disappointment over the burning of a Mosque in Mulanje by unknown thugs.
On Sunday August 12th 2012, unknown thugs burned a Mosque in Group Village Headwoman Ngolowera T/A Chikumbu in Mulanje district, the development that has angered many Muslims in the country.
“What happened in Mulanje is barbaric and unacceptable – an act is not supposed to occur in a secular country like Malawi where there is a freedom of worship. I hope those thugs are non-Muslims because a Muslim cannot torch a mosque. As Muslims we believe in coexistence so what those people have done is very unfortunate,” said Sheikh Chabulika.
According to an eyewitness Sheikh Ibrahim Swalleh, who is also a Coordinator for the Islamic Information Bureau in Mulanje, the mosque was burnt at around 3 o’clock in the morning.
Police authorities in Mulanje confirmed the development in an interview with Malawi Muslims Official Website.
“We received reports from Muslims of Ngolowera Village that some unknown people have burned a mosque in the area. We went there to verify and we found that it was true. The file has been opened and inquiries are in progress but nobody has been arrested so far,” said Saidi Bakali from Mulanje Police station.
However, reports reaching this website indicates that three days prior to the incident, some drunkards who were passing by the mosque during evening prayers were heard demanding Muslims to remove the mosque saying they want to open a Pub.
shukran Information Bureau for responding first. I knew it would be IIB condemning it first before MAM and other organisations. However, this is not enough. Muslim Organisation under MAM leadership should unanimously condemn it and stage a nationwide demo to show our anger. otherwise, others will take chances to do the same.