Here is official Press Statement from Muslim Association of Malawi on Ali Mdala Tambuli’s controversial gay views. A Namwera based unqualified Sheikh Tambuli told the local media last week that people should give care and protection to gays because they are humans too whose rights need to be respected.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) strongly condemns the statement allegedly expressed by Sheikh Mdala Ali Tambuli of Mangochi and published in a Vol. 8 No.42 of Sunday Nation Newspaper purportedly presented as views of Sheikhs in the country.
The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) is deeply dismayed as it did not expect that a learned Sheikh who should have known under any circumstances the true position of the Islamic religion on the issue of homosexuality would issue such a statement. As a national body, the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) wishes to condemn in its strongest terms the statement allegedly expressed by Sheikh Mdala Ali Tambuli and describes it as baseless, senseless, misleading, incorrect and irrelevant to the Quran and the teachings of Islam.
The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) would like to inform the general public and other fair minded Sheikhs in Malawi that the issue of homosexuality is clearly categorized in the Holy Quran as evil and sinful as evidently seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah during the time of Lut (Lot) when such immoral acts were being practiced. If indeed Allah wanted to guarantee the so called human rights to the homosexuals then He (Allah) should not have punished and destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) would also like to remind the general public including Sheikh Mdala Ali Tambuli and all human rights activists that homosexuality is not only evil and sinful but is also illegal and criminalized under s153 and 156 of the Penal Code (Laws of Malawi), therefore, supporting, aiding or abetting of any illegal activities constitute a crime.
The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) also wishes to remind the general public that homosexuality is wrong under the generally accepted customs and habits of the Muslim society in Malawi and elsewhere in the World. Culturally, the practice is evil and totally unacceptable. Supporting it, therefore contradicts our cultural values and beliefs which are also guaranteed in the African Charter on Peoples and Human Rights (ACPHR) which adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) to an African context.
The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) would like to remind the media fraternity in the country that the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) is the national body with a large national membership across the country and as such is mandated to make a comment or a statement on issues of national interest which seek clarity from the context of Islamic religion.
While acknowledging the important role the media plays in the country, the Association is of the opinion that the media personnel can continue enjoying the trust and confidence of the general public in Malawi only if it discharges its duties professionally and in compliance with the laid down ethics of their profession by balancing up their stories through verification with other sources before publishing or airing them.
The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) would also like to remind all the Sheikhs in the country to respect the hierarchy which is established through national associations and other bodies in Malawi by not making comments or statements on issues related to national interest without consulting or seeking consent from the national organs which have jurisdiction to take such action. Any personal opinions to which every person is entitled can be expressed in one’s personal capacity rather than on behalf of Islamic religion or Muslims in the country.
The Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) wishes to make it clear that homosexuality is and will remain evil, sinful and is punishable by a non-negotiable DEATH according to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).”
End of Press Release
