Mutharika with Muslim children at Christmas party raise eyebrows: Muslim scholar speaks
The photo opportunity of President Peter Mutharika, First Lady and Muslim youth he hosted at Mzuzu State Lodge on Wednesday as part of Christmas celebration has raised eyebrows from the Islamic community.
The Muslims who spoke to Nyasa Times say while they appreciate the Head of State hosting a treat to the children, it is unfair to involve Muslim youth to a highly mythical account of the Christian version of the birth of Jesus which is celebrated as Christmas on December 25.
They say it will bring confusion to Muslim young faithfuls by their being involved in Christmas celebrations.
Sheikh Salmin Omar Idruss, chairman of the Muslim Association of Malawi, said he considers parading Muslim youth in their religious regalia celebrating Christmas as un-Islamic
And Islamic scholar Sherif Kaunde, who is also an expert in Islamic Law, said there is no doubt that Islam does not allow Muslims to celebrate any other festival other than Eid al-fitr, a celebration that marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Adha as prescribed in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
“Therefore anything outside these two is considered either an innovation or imitation of others,” Kaunde told Nyasa Times when interviewed.
“It is an innovation in a sense that they are celebrating as a means of drawing close to the Almighty God but with no origin in the scriptures or religious texts. Also an imitation of non-Muslims who celebrate their festivals as a tradition and not as an act of worship,” he argued.
Kaunde, who is also chair of an association of Malawi Muslims in UK , explained that the Holy Quran venerates both Jesus and Virgin Mary by sharing their story of Jesus’ miraculous birth and his ability to perform miracles with the help of God.
However, he said, it is not the practice of Muslims to celebrate the birth of their prophets.
“Christmas has become such a cultural phenomenon and is observed as a tradition and not an act of worship for some people if not the majority. Therefore, imitating these people or taking part in them implies that one is happy with what they are following and in the end that could make them take this opportunity to mislead those who are weak in faith especially the children,” said Kaunde.
He continued: “For many, Christmas is a fun and joyous occasion about being with family and giving. However, celebrating it with those that oppose such a belief no matter their age is unexplainable contradiction and misleadingly wrong.”
Addressing the children who were drawn from Mzuzu city, President Mutharika urged them to work hard in school so that they are able to take up different public positions, including that of state presidency, in the future.
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WHY WOULD ANYBODY THINK JESUS WAS A MUSLIM?
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1. Jesus never said the Islamic Shahada. (the “Shema” is One Yahweh God confession WITHOUT Muhammad)
2. Jesus never prayed to “Allah” but He called God His “Abba”. (Hebrew “Abba” is never “Allah”).
3. Jesus never bowed toward Mecca or any direction for prayer.
4. Jesus never mentioned the importance of the “Kaaba” or a temple. (John 4:21-24)
5. Jesus never prayed repeating the same words or phrases over and over again. (Matthew 6:7)
6. Jesus never did “Ramadan daylight fasting”, but fasted “day and night”. (Matthew 4:2)
7. Jesus never did Jihad or fought in battles. (Matthew 26:52)
8. Jesus never hated His oppressive enemies, in fact, he loved the Romans and healed their servant. (Matthew 8:8-13)
9. Jesus never did a pilgrimage, it was an option but never a pillar of Judaism. (Psalm 84:5)
10. Jesus taught to pray in privacy when it is personally done, not like Muslims do openly. (Matthew 6:5-6)
11. Jesus taught that hand washing ritual does not contribute in true righteousness. (Matthew 15:1-11)
12. Jesus never told anybody to say “SAW” or “PBUH” after the mention or writing of a prophet’s name. Jesus never did that too.
13. Jesus never warned us that the scriptures would be corrupted (He knew that God’s Word cannot be altered and God will never allow anyone to do that, because He protects them) but declared that HE FULFILLED THE SCRIPTURES! (Luke 4:21)
14. Jesus commanded that His disciples celebrate the Passover. (Luke 22:8)
15. Jesus never ate camel or rabbit, because It was forbidden in the Torah (Deuteronomy 14:7)
16. Jesus instituted a New Covenant of His Sacrifice. (Matthew 26:28).
17. Jesus commanded His disciples to make people His disciple and BAPTIZE them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
18. Jesus said “Salvation is from Jews” then to other nations, which was the promise of God in Genesis 22:18. (John 4:22)
19. Jesus allowed John the Baptist to call Him “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” and did not condemn his for that. (John 2:29)
20. Jesus taught confessing and believing in One God was not enough for salvation (Mark 12:28-34).
21. Jesus started a church (that is – believers, the body of Christ) not a mosque. (Matthew 16:18)
22. Jesus foretold His death and died on a cross. (John 2:19-21; Matthew 27:42)
23. Jesus rose from the dead! (Luke 24:44-48)
Quotes from any holy book are useless! A Muslim can quote the Koran would that make his belief valid? Is quoting from the bible different. If the universe was created by any god? Why did he inspire humans to write these useless, primitive and non sense piece of poetry? Books with talking snakes, and world floods that never happened? Books that wans us to kill people suspected of witchcraft or homosexuals or women who are not virgins? If these books are your evidence of his divine powers, then only an imbecile would believe in him! The bible, Koran , the book of Mormon etc are evidence that these god are man made not the other way round.
Muslim’s teachings have a core basis, Islamise nations. You know, they have forced everyone to eat/consume Halaal foods which Christians are not part of. Everyone must follow their traditions, why? This is where we should all take great notice and keen interest into how these people want to conquer the world. They have philosophies which they use to hoodwink people, seemingly understanding them, is a victory to them. Imagine every hotel, restaurant, eating place must be Halaal, just to mention but a few. There’s another weakness to this Christmas argument, the same muslims use Christmas festivities and even Easter to make business profits and the fine tune themselves to that effect. If they don’t attest to these ideologies, why are they first to decorate their businesses with Christmas tunes and virtues? Don’t argue for the sake of argument though I agree that Christmas has become more traditional to Christians than a spiritual event but muslims are also offtrack.
To my country with love!
These two parties won’t agree forever
Ndi ma rival just like
Derby ya bt
Wow! I am impressed! We have truth on both side, its true Islam is a violent religion. Full of hate etc, but again xstian also went thru the same, 3-4 centuries ago, in fact Christians have murdered more than Islam, except they did not have space age weapons then! ( which is good). Muslim are right, xmas is 100% pagan! Its not about Jesus at all. The bottom line about religious people is: you are all able to smell your neighbour’s SH*T but you fail to smell your own!
Koma xmas bonus mumalandira. Mukuti simu panga chikumbutso pa tsiku lobadwa Prophet want nanga ma ziyara ama página aja ndi chiani?
Mathanyula,do not encroach our Christian Malawi into Islamic inferno.Muluzi opened the gets for these libidinous killers and now you want these people to strengthen your political status within Islamic society in the country especially at this time when the National elections are close by.The fact is that ISLAM is not a religion,but rather a murderous cult fed on human blood.As Iam writing this piece,Western Nations which received them in millions when they left their countries to protect their lives from their own killers,are now the targets of Islamic terrorists or jihadis.In Nigeria,Boko Haram is still spilling the blood of Christians including their own Muslims, in Somalia,they have literally turned Somalia into a failed-state and occasionally crossed the Kenyan border to kill innocent Kenyans,these are few instances of Islamic beliefs because they believe that if they kill Christians,they will go to heaven and marry virgins,what a misguided faith? Afterall,they have queer beliefs that one day,ISLAM will dominate the whole world, now the immediate target is to turn Southern Africa a Muslim entity.What most of our people including the so-called leaders do not know is that CHRISTIANS are not allowed to practice their faiths in the middle and if they do so,their lives could be in danger of bombings in their churches,believe you me,this is not a manufactured story,but is a fact.My fellow Malawian Christians,be prepared for the worse if you fraternise with these merchants of demise,and filthy people taking buckets of water to wipe their asses with bear hands.Once again,Christians stand united against these evil barbarians.
First and foremost when you speaking concerning something you should research first or ask expert of religions people of knowledge may be you can hate something which is good out of anger. Regarding ISIS who started ISIS or who formed the group called ISIS? If you following World politics today and do the research properly,you will come across that is not the Muslims who terrorising World piece. The answer I’m giving you is the so called World Super Powers who tries all means to control the World. They are the ones who started ISIS the American and the westerns not the Muslims. The story was revelled by the Weak link organisation and the Russian government that the ISIS was formed by Hillary Clinton when she was State Secretary of the United States of America and The Obama administration to protect the state of Apartheid of Israel from the States of Syria, Iran and Jordan because those countries believes that, there is no State of Israel without Palestine and they vows to stand up and fight for the rights of Palestine people. When The Barak Obama administration saw the United of Iran and Syria and Jordan saw it danger for their friend bloodshed Apartheid Israel. That’s why they created Iss to confuse people around the World even you that Muslims are fighting themselves. No is the American who fighting their in the name of Iss. Coming to Boko haramu you know it very well those people are not Muslims. If I can ask you in the state of Nigeria one of the Super powers of Africa can allow a small group of people terrorise the whole country? The answer is again the westerns who sponsors those group of people with heavy weapons in exchange for oil can’t you see. When comes to Islam. Islam is the the religious of piece. It’s teachings is real from the the Almighty God the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that exist. It’s not like the Christianity where people believes in the person called Jesus is God or is the son of God or the son becomes God. Please brother I advise you as my learned friend go back and do the research and found out the true religion. Islamo phobia it will never help you.
Kudya ndi kudya bax……ndsamvenso wna akut few fwe fweeeeeee apa ndmuonetsa nsana wa njira…….kkkkk ndagona ine…….zikanganani.
Christians are mostly very selfish, ofcoz exacerbated by ignorance and lack of thorough understanding of issues. Somebody is arguing of a holiday on Eid as a reason enough to parade Muslim children on a pre-xmas party. Somebody say ‘we fail to feed the children’ eish maguys… One thing, Muslims do not need to atke party in Xmas bcoz we understand it is mythical thing, originating from pagan tradition as opposed to Christian teachings . Now, if Muthalika wanted to have a retreat with Muslim kids, why not wait until 01st January, 2017? It act is wrong and am at pain that most of you can’t see a problem
Silly scholar.Haven’t we seen christian presidents parading with the muslim believers during eid ul adha in the beautiful city streets of ours?U scholar wa jando eti fwetseki.
Osadanda.Ku state house kumadibwa za Halaal. Kunalibenso za chipembezo ai. Kudyerera ndi kumwerera basi.
I have in the past seen the president and his predecessors participating in the Moslem parade of the birth of the prophet Muhammad. Were they converted to islam? Even Joyce Banda once paraded along with muslims, did she turn to islam? The children themselves found it interesting to be closer to the head of state and have a photo with him. Their focus was not on xmas, especially after realizing that xmas is not yet there.
Do Malawians know How much it costed forfor hiring a jet plane to go and get our president from America? No why they dont want to say. And u expecting donors to give u money? The loyal family of England Kate travelled in domestic plane to show she is also a human. There is first Class in plane where high people can be. Peter want to live in Malawi as presidents of America do. But Malawi is not America. Malawi is poor. Kamuzu Banda was not travelling in hired jet plane. It was air Malawi. In this way he was promoting to his own country air Company. Why not Take or hire Malawiana. The distance from Quarta to America then back to Malawi. Fuel from Quarta then from America. The plane has to go to Quarta. The Arabs laugh åt these stupid Africans who can not Count. Muntharikas and his gurus dont Care. Banda night be dictator but was smart. He would not do that. I never liked dictatorship but he had built a country with Little money. All roads, University, Good education system. Many educate people in Malawi got their education through Banda. Good agriculture system never hunger i. Malawi. It could not happen even IF Malawi has been hit by disasters. Golf healthy sectors. To Day we have privates which än odinary Malawian can not afford. Corruption is born with what Malawi has come out. Its time for Malawians to value what has gone wrong with democracy?
anthu mulibe pabwino. Amenewa ndekuti achitidwa convert? Akapanda kuwatenganso muti akuwatsala
Indeed do not blame the President but blame their parents and Muslim elders by accepting their children to go to the State Lodge.
President Mutharika is always at the wrong side of his actions, how can he parede Muslim youth on Xmass celebrating the both of Jesus who the president knows out right they don’t believe? Who gives our president advice when he is taking duties? No leader has ever done that scandal in Malawi since, Muluzi is a Muslim but he never did such shameful thing in all his lifetime as president of Malawi, but what is wrong with this bwampini? He wants votes from Muslims by disgracing them like that? Just few days ago the Muslims had their celebration why did he not invite them for a party befitting to their time, and religion? Shame to everyone who is backing this insult committed by the president, no wonder there are people in Malawi belonging to dpp, who are bound to defend everything he does even when it is useless, claping hands for whatever he does shame shame shame shame and more shameful.
Mwasowa zokamba eti!!! You are faiiling to feed your childre. Mukubereka ngati makoswe, then wina watenga anawo wakadyetsa basi fwefefeeeeeeee . I dont like muslims beliefs. They worship kaaba, a black pagan stone
Moslems do not celebrate chrstimas. This is like haviing Halal pork
Though I’m not a fan of Peter, I find his gesture to these young Muslims educating. Its all about religious tolerance. Let these young minds know that Muslims and Christians are brothers and sisters. They all belong to the big family of our Creator. Let us not encourage intolerance and separatism in our societies. I may also find no offense to see Christian joining Ziyarah. In fact I have already seen so many Christians wearing moslem robes and mizuli just to promote unity among
Dont be silly. Were these muslim kids forced. These kids had concent from their parents. Those that didnt never went to the occassion. Long live Peter for being inclusive and non discrimatory!
i don’t really see an issue here. we all go to weddings we are not part of, similary this is just a cerebration. likewise we join them in their celebrations and at times we have seen the president himself wearing a Nzuri and other moslem attires just to join them in their celebrations. this muslim scholar is self-centred and unrully, i would call him an “extrimist” who does not understand and has no consideration for the principles of coexistence. very useless, senseless and malafidei trying to cause political helter-scalter and indeed lead the country to disarray.
Palibedi nkhani apa. Moslems and Christians do co-exist in Malawi. I have even seen some Christians patronising Islamic functions wearing what we call kwathu ku Salima Libada. Have we as Christians raised eye brows. Kumangomupezera zifukwa President bwanji? Bravo Mr. President
Isn’t that blasphemous to Moslems?
Asilamu inuuuu.. maka maka Sheikh Salmin Omar Idruss ndi Sherif Kaunde…you must shut up. We go on holidays on Eid which has nothing to do with any of us. Who said the party they attended was an Islamic function in order for you to call it un-Islamic? This is putting the human touch to things religious. Go to hell and roast thoroughly. Allow the kids their freedom of association.
Muhammad’s are urger today. Get fuck Muslims
If u want to bombing Malawi try we will kill u all
How can children work hard in school when the infrastructures look like makola a ziweto. Some learning under trees and yet we are in 21st century.Teachers don’t get paid on time. The majority of children walk long distances to go to school. The parents cannot afford shoes etc.
This is 21st century Bwana. You stayed in US for a long time. You know how it’s done. You had children who went to school in America.
Why can’t you do the same. Malawi is capable of attaining that. But look the country is in reverse gear.
How can children do home work under koloboyi.
How can children go to school when they are constantly having diarrhoea due to lack of basic things like clean water.
Alot needs to be done before these kids can be encouraged.
Why Today? Moslims Have Been Taking Part In Celebrating Christmas All Along Don’t U Know That? Ngakhale Inu Amene Mukuuwa Apanu Mwakonzekera Kale. Mukufuna Mumpusitse Ndani? Tiyeni Tikondwerere Pamodzi Kubadwa Kwa Mpulumutsi Wathuyu.
Mxiii, did the children just decide to go the xmas party on their own? I thought this was done in consultation with their parents and muslim elders? If you have an issue then take it with the ones who sent the children to the state lodge!!!!
Dear Peter Muthalika,
am a Catholic , but why didn’t you consult the Muslims without offending them. You think, would it be proper to parade Catholic on Eid celebration with consulting their authorities. take care!!! . Catholics be ware next it can be us.
Thanks
I don’t like/support/share your sentiments. You cannot rush to accuse the president of not consulting the muslim authorities before engaging the children. Just as Malapwana above observes, it is more likely that a general invitation was sent for children in that particular location to interact with the president on this day. If the invitation was sent through churches/mosques or some other institutions, it was the responsibility of the authorities in those bodies to advise. Likewise, if the invitations were sent through the parents, they were more rensponsible to advise whether it was proper for their children to attend based on their religious beliefs. I tell you, it’s highly unlikely that the president sent out for the children without using any of these means.
Most importantly, be careful how you use Catholicsm. It’s not a weapon to threaten others, but rather to proclaim God’s glory.
Palibe nkhani apa a president sanalalikire za chi khristu apa.it is common knowledge and practice that during xmas christians imvite their non christians to celebrate the day and there is nothing wrong. Ifeso a khristu nthawo ya eid and other islamic functions ee join our moslem friends to celebtste. The moslem scholar is silly senseless useless anf clueless he is just a fundamentalist
I agree with you 100%. I wish to add that Nyasatimes is stupid to give these fundamentalist the forum to broadcast their nosense!!
Of-Course the Muslims can Take party in Christianity cerebrations but this is not the reason. Why president Peter is doing. This is bribing Muslims votes through Atupele Muluzi. People of Malawi dont know How elections of USA does. Its money and bribes. Peter has learntrom there. In USA democracy is about money who has money even än idiot can be a president. Car boys like Regan can be president Trump because of his racist and money can be president. It can not happen in Northern Europe or democratic countries in Europe. If we go for American style of democracy we will be where we are now. Leta Take social democracy to build Africa and the people that is what TZ president is doing. Expenditurd of government resources by few indivual living luxury while the tax payers are suffering is very evil. Why can ‘ ministers buy their own cars? Who bought the cars during Kamuzu Banda for ministers? In Europe ministers are using hired cars on duty or their own cars them get back money spend on fuel. Why poor nation like Malawi depending on donors live like IF they make Money? Malawi government refused to look Into economy and är where they can cut to save money for important things. Azungu akukamba but we insult them and them we go there expecting they give US their tax payers money while ours go to few government gurus. Are we normal?