It is now official! Muslim Association of Malawi has officially cancelled this year’s Muslim annual gathering known as Ijtima which was scheduled to take place at Njamba freedom park in Blantyre from October 28 to October 31.
MAM Secretary General DR Salmin Omar confirmed the postponement in an interview with Radio Islam on Saturday, 22 October 2011
‘’This decision has been reached at due to financial constraints. As everyone is aware that this function requires a lot of funds for it to be a success,’’ he said.
The organising committee had a budget amounting K7 million.
Traditionally Muslim individuals and organisations have been contributing money towards the event where among others Muslims share spiritual upliftments and how they can contribute to the development of the religion of Islam and the country.
Reports indicate that contributors have not reached their hands towards the event because they were well informed that MAM asked Malawi’s state President Bingu wa Mutharika to fund this year’s function, and it is allegedly said that the head of state pledged to offer the whole amount.
This development has angered many Muslims more especially those who started preparing for the event.
Meanwhile, Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) Vice Chairman Sheikh Shuaibu Ibrahim was booed at Radio Islam’s 10th anniversary celebration held at Hotel Victoria in Blantyre on Saturday.
The Chairman took advantage of his speech to announce that the cancelled Ijitma would text place in November, attracting boos from some quarters present.
“You have nothing to tell us. Your regime has failed. Go to hell,” babbled the audience.
Ijtmah is an annual Muslim gathering and it is the first time in its history in Malawi to be cancelled.
Recently, Muslim women had successfully organised their Ijitima at Mponela in Dowa district where MAM chairman, Sh Idrissa Muhammad openly asked Muslims in Malawi to rally behind the rulling government, in presence of Malawi’s first lady Madam Callista Mutharika who was the guest of honour. However, reports say that the MAM chairman was not invited to the women Ijitima though he is ironically alleged to have influenced the first lady’s name to the organisers.
***Reporting by Ali Blessings Idi, Bashir Amin and Marshall Dyton***
