Muslim Sisters Aids Network Association (Musanet) held its first elections on Sunday March 6th 2011 at Al-Madina Masjid in Blantyre where they ushered in a new Executive Committee. 62 members from different Support Groups in Blantyre were involved in choosing their new-fangled leaders.
The elections, the first of its kind, saw the election of new committee that would help contrive the affairs of the newly established Islamic organization.
Sr. Jamila Lire and Rashida Chikwatu who were both holding the same positions as a chairlady and vice chairlady respectively in the interim committee, were elected again to serve for the next three years term.
Unlike with other positions, Sr. Lire retained her position unopposed since her contender Sr. Mariam Ali Khan gently withdrew herself from the election after being elected as National Coordinator for the organization.
The post of Vice Chairperson went to Sr. Rashida Chikwatu with 37 votes who defeated Sr. Jamila Amad who got 21 votes and and Sr. Zainabu Thupa with only 4 votes.
Speaking after the elections, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Sheikh Muhammad Ismail said he was very happy with the [way the] elections [were conducted] and congratulated the new lawfully elected team.
“I am very happy with the elections. It has been free and fair and I believe everybody will be free now after being elected legally,” he said.
In his remarks, Mai Aisha Trust Projects Director, Br. Abdul-Azziz Yassin who represented Musanet donors, also expressed his excitement saying the elections were peaceful, transparent and acceptable.
“This election is an achievement [in itself] because the committee that was there was on an interim basis and they had to legalize their positions,” he said.
“As donors, we are not there to dictate [on how they conduct their affairs] but we just make sure that they manage their finances prudently.
“With Musanet, this prudence is already there and that is what has made Mai Aisha Trust to continue funding their activities; because of their accountability and transparency. So, we hope that the new committee, of which a number of people have retained their positions, will continue with the same spirit,” he continued.
Musanet is a non-profit making organization which was formed in 2007 with an aim of breaking the silence among Muslim women on HIV/AIDS in Malawi. It currently operates within Southern region with 11 supporting groups within Blantyre but it has plans to have branches in central and north, according to the chairperson of the board of trustees, Sheikh Muhammad Ismail.
Full New Musanet Committee in Detail
Chairlady:
Sr. Jamila Lire
Vice Chairlady
Sr. Rashida Chikwatu
SECRETARY GENERAL
Sauda Aubi
VICE SECRETARY
Halima Khan
TREASURE
Meronisa Karim
VICE TREASURE
Amina Ngulinga
PUBLICITY SECRETARY
Rahamat Chimbede
VICE PUBLICITY SECRETARY
Shamima Binali
