Some Muslims who were entering Malawi from Kenya through Tanzania to attend this year’s Ijmah had their dreams shattered after Malawian immigration officials detained and denied them entry at Songwe boarder yesterday due to lack of proper travel documents, Malawi Muslims Official Website has learnt.
According to the reports reaching this website, about 16 people have so far been sent back home after their travel papers failed to convince the authorities.
Sheikh Aman Matiya, Vice Chairman for this year’s Ijtmah organising committee has confirmed the development.
“It is true that some of the delegates from Kenya were detained at Songwe. And, when we tried to talk to immigration officials at the border, we found that the problem was to do with their travel documents. Some people had their papers showing specific countries where they are allowed to travel to and unfortunately, Malawi is not included in the list. But those with proper documents have been allowed to enter,” said Matiya.
This comes at a time when President Mrs Joyce Banda has made an impassioned plea to Malawians not to aid illegal immigrants into the country, saying the continued influx of illegal immigrants poses a threat to the country’s security.
Meanwhile former Tanzanian President Hassan Ali Mwinyi, the Guest of Honour for this year’s function is expected to land tomorrow through the Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, the committee’s Publicity Secretary Abdul Aziz Onile said.
The three-day event will take place at Kamuzu Stadium and is expected to draw dignitaries from other countries such as Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia whom some have already arrived in the country.
