Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) Secretary General Sheikh Dr Salmin Omar says the ‘refurbished’ Association does not belong to any political party but it is ready to work with any government that is “in line with Islamic teachings that are meant to serve all people at all climes and times.”
The Secretary General said this at a Press Conference in Blantyre where the Muslims’ mother body was announcing names of the new Executive Committee members. He however said despite that any person having a right to join any party, his organisation would not encourage any one to support parties that oppress Muslims or against Islam.
“MAM as an organisation is not affiliated to any political party. We just support the current government. However, people as individuals, are free to join any party. The party, which does not contravene with the teachings of Islam , which is not against Islam,” he said.
He further said as a religious organisation, MAM would also continue respecting, cooperating and co-existing with other religious peacefully but with “the belief that others will also respect its beliefs and tenets accordingly”.
On another development, the organisation says it is planning to appoint external auditors to find out how funds have been handled in the just ended regime.
According to the organisation’s Treasurer General Issah Njauju, the adverts have already started appearing in newspapers looking for external auditors and he believes that the work will commence soon.
“It is true that there are those allegations that funds have been misused at MAM. But we want to tell you that right now, we have the hand over notes and we are looking for external auditors to do the job. Once done, we will let the public know the way forward,” he said.
Malawi Muslims official website has unconfirmed reports of fraudulent accounts where funds amounting to K7 million meant for HIV AIDS programmes are missing. The money was part of about K32 million which the organisation received from National AIDS Commission as its faith based response.
However, the Treasurer said the auditing is done to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the organization.
In a statement released by the organization says the general foundation of the new Central Body is “provision of justice, transparency and accountability in its operations with stakeholders as monitors”.
“In pursuance of this notion, the Central Body will, on regular basis, institute financial management system; produce annual financial statements; institute external audit of all MAM financial transactions; and to ensure that governance procedures are followed in the implementation of the development agenda,” reads the statement signed by the National chairman Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad which Malawi Muslims Official Website has a copy.
The new Executive committee is comprised of the following: Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad (National Chairman), Sheikh Shuaib Ibrahim (Vice Chairman), Sheikh Dr Salmin Omar (General Secretary), Ali Twanje (Deputy General Secretary), Issa Njauju (Treasurer General), Bujad Kalera (Deputy Treasurer General).
Regional Chairmen: James A Kaombe (south), Richard Banda (Central), and Lifa Binali (North).
Members: Biton Ajawa, Sheikh Ali Kennedy, Dr Abdulaziz Kazembe, Sheikh Yusuf Chibwana,, Omar Kaisi, Aman Kunje, Rodrick Mulonya , Sheikh Dinala Chabulika ,Twaibu Lawe , Abdallah Ndeketa, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Kalako , Ronack Mia , Alhaj Twalick Yusuf Asedi , Sheikh Mussa Matola , Asuman Wungwe and Osman Sabiti.
According to MAM Constitution, the position of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer General, Deputy Treasurer General and three Regional Chairmen requires elections to be conducted while other positions including those of the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General are attained by appointments made by the elected executive members and ratified by the Board of Trustees. The last election held on April 30, 2011 which saw the National Chairman winning it in a landslide victory.
