CCAP Synod of Livingstonia defies PAC on hijabs

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Livingstonia, has said it will not allow learners to wear hijabs in all its institutions despite a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Christians and Muslims on Thursday to allow tolerance on the same.

Mtambo, Nyalonje and PAC members pose for photo after the meeting.

Last month, Muslim communities in Machinga recently issued a 21-day ultimatum against Mpiri Catholic Parish, demanding that the church should vacate the ‘Muslim territory’ for denying female Muslim faith learners their right to education while putting on a hijab—a gear covering the head and the neck worn by Muslim women and girls in public places.

The MOU, which has been facilitated by Public Affairs Committee (PAC), has been signed by Thomas Msusa of Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Rt. Rev. Fanuel Magangani of Malawi Council of Churches, Sheikh Ali Kennedy of Muslim Association of Malawi, and Sheikh Jaafar Kawinga of Qadria Muslim Association of Malawi.

But General Secretary of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, Reverend William Tembo, said they would not bow down to the MoU.

“The synod will not allow learners to wear hijab in schools run by the synod,” Tembo told Voice of Livingstonia (VOL) radio on Thursday.

He said that much as they were barring the wearing of the Islamic hijab in their institutions as directed by PAC, the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia “does not bar Muslim students from accessing education from their schools so long they observe the Synod’s guidelines.”

During the MoU signing ceremony at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre, witnessed by Minister of Education, Agnes Nyalonje, National Unity Minister Timothy Mtambo, UN Senior Human Rights Advisor to Malawi, Sabina Lauber and Civil Society representatives, Christian-owned schools will allow female Muslim learners to wear hijabs in school as long as they matched with the school uniform.

According to the MoU seen by Nyasa Times, it was recommended by members that the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) should also deal with concerns of Rastafarians, Bible Believers and other concerned faith groups.

Some of the recommendations which were presented by Father Henry Saindi – Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) secretary general – state that:

1.The state shall ensure that all girls go to school and are not discriminated against on the basis of religion.

2. Muslim girls shall not be discriminated against on the ground of education.

3. Christian schools shall allow Muslim girls to wear hijab which matches with the colour of the school uniform.

4. No person shall force Muslims to wear hijab.

5. The wearing of hijab shall not deter Muslim girls from taking part in school activities.

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Chipasupasu
2 years ago

Muslims want Christians to yield to their demands and not vice versa. Christians eat Haalal foods or meat. They don’t care.

Chigo
Chigo
2 years ago

I don’t understand you people, what makes the difference if you follow the school regulations rather than connecting with their faith? Every faith has its own guidelines.kodi Asilamu mungalore A khiriditu kubweretsa zikhulipiriro zawa Ku Malo Anu?

Lego
2 years ago

Can a christian girl go to a muslim school without putting a jihab?I wonder sometimes the way you are creating a simple thing to be a big one problem.Rules and regulations at any institution are suppose to be followed.

Dziko
Dziko
2 years ago

Moslems are the richest and yet they don’t want to build schools. Mangani ma school ambiri and you will make your own rules. Zopempha kunyazitsa. Christians are able to build schools and you want to come with your rules, sizimayenda choncho

K.K
K.K
2 years ago

Can pac also tell us what will be the condition for non Muslim girls in Muslim schools? Should they be forced to wear hijabs or not?
Because what I know is that Muslim schools do force their learner’s to put on hijabs. So tell us.

Mswahili mambo
Mswahili mambo
2 years ago

I salute you the Livingstonia Synod , these Muslim should build more schools of their own than building many mosques in all the corners of the villages where there are no Muslims, ife Chisilamu toto takana kuno ku Mpoto , they should not demand conditions for other religious schools by imposing their own conditions.

Chiswa B
Chiswa B
2 years ago

Kuwaopa asilamu

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