Leadership consists not in degrees of technique but in traits of character; it requires moral rather than athletic or intellectual effort, and it imposes on both leader and follower alike the burdens of self-restraint, so goes Lewis H. Lapham adage.
This is what people expect from Muslim Association of Malawi’s elections as six people namely, Yusuf Kanyamula, Imran Sherrif, Imran Idriss, Idriss Muhammad, Muhamad Uthman and Ali Kenedy have already joined the national leadership race.
The most interesting thing is that some of them have already shown that they can not be good leaders, because they lack self-discipline and leadership quality. They have already stood on the podium and rebuke their fellow contenders forgetting that a true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.
Malawian Muslims need good and quality leaders, who have faith in themselves, who look for the lives of Muslim community to lead MAM and not the one who stands on the pulpit and tick off his friend.
As an author, coach & entrepreneur, Lisa Nicole Bell says, ‘if you want to be a good leader, you must have faith in yourself! If you don’t see yourself as a leader, it will be difficult at best to develop your leadership qualities and evolve into the fantastic leader you can be. We all have talents and strengths so use yours to help master leadership. Remember that the only limitations you have as a person are those you set up in your mind.’
Conversely, if you can check in the leaders who are contesting for the MAM’s national chairmanship you will find that others are lacking faith in themselves, and others think that because they have money, then it will be easy for them to be a leader.
The Muslim community needs to be told what you are going to do when elected, but not showing how vocal you are when delivering Friday sermons. And remember, masjid is not a place to make a campaign but rather is a place to remind your followers about this life and the hereafter.
Just imagine, if someone is standing on the pulpit today and start ticking off his fellow Muslim, what will happen when people choose him? Won’t he be using his power to decipher his enmity and address his personal problems?
Please let us take an example of the late Sheikh Mwarabu, a great leader who put Islam on the map. He had no a degree or a certificate in leadership, but he was able to lead the community with no problems which proves that leadership is not about acquisition but is a born-with talent.W
