MAM Chairman Reforms Ulama Council

The National Chairman of the Muslim Association of Malawi, His Eminence Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad, has warned
Muslims in the country not to be on the forefront of spreading false information about sighting of the moon.

This was stated by the Chairman on March 12, 2023 in Blantyre, during a double celebration of theelection of new executive members for the National Ulama Council of Malawi and unveiling of the Grand Mufti.

According to Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad, there has been a lot of misinformation causing a hiccup inthe operation of the Majlis Ulama.

Sheikh Muhammad further said this called for the need to get the Ulama Council restructured so as to restore confidence and trust among Muslims.

“This is something that wassupposed to be done a long time ago, but it’s better late than never, this will also help in filling the gaps that have been there for a very long time and remove the disagreements,” he said.

The Muslim leader has also advised new sheikhs to respect and work hand in hand with the veteran sheikhs in order to learn and tap their wisdom.

“I would also like to take this as an opportunity to advise new sheikhs to hold their patience and respect the old sheikhs in terms of communication since challenging one another won’t be an ideal way to move forward with Islam in the country,” said his Eminence.

Muhammad said this as he observed that there is a gap between the old and new sheikhs.

“Old and new sheikhs must learn to understand one another that they learn things differently but it all focuses on the same Deen; the way people choose to communicate can cause disagreements leading to disunity,” said the Chairman.

The elected people are Sheikh Mussa Matola, who has maintained his position as the chairman for the National Ulama Council, Sheikh Swaleh Chilundu, who attained the position of vice chairman, Sheikh Abassie Vinjenje is the secretary with Sheikh Dr. Salimin Omar as his vice, and the Treasurer is Sheikh Muft Ismail Alan with Sheikh
Maulana Massie as his vice.

In his remarks, Ulama Council Chairman Sheikh Mussa Matola said the Ulama Council is the highest grouping of the Islamic scholars that advises both political and religious leaders on religious matters.

“The council also acts as mediating hub in times of conflict involving communities, government and other stakeholders so as to resort to reconciliation and mutual understanding among the citizenry,” he explained.

He further said that for unity to prevail among Muslims in the country, it depends on how active the council is with continuous official operations.

“I would also like to thank the MAM Chairman for being in the front row for the election of new executive members of the Ulama Council of Malawi,” said Matola.

In his remarks, the public relations director for Sheikh Dinala Chabulika said MAM’s decision comes following the coming month of Ramadan as the ulama creates a group of fatwas that update Muslims on various activities during the holy month.

“This is a great function as two big Islamic activities have happened at once, the election of executive members for the Ulama Council and the Grand Mufti of the country,” said Sh. Chabulika.

The council will be operating under Muslim Association of Malawi and will be conducting research to things that are doubtful to Muslims and decide if it’s acceptable in Islam or not.

During the election of new executive members of the Ulama Council, the chairman of MAM also elected Sheikh Muhammad Uthman Ntalika as the country Mufti in Malawi and his vice, Sheikh Ali Kennedy.

The state Grand Mufti is the highest position that will be making communication from the Ulama Council, updating Muslims, and putting the Muslim conditions first.

The appointment comes after many years since the death of Mufti Abass, who was the country’s state Mufti for a very long time.