Malawi religious violence over Hijab:  Muslims demolish church, Christians destroy mosque in Mangochi

A Sheikh and other people have been injured as violence returned to eastern lakeshore district of  Mangochi after an Anglican run school authorities sent back two girls in Hijab leading to destruction of a church and a mosque.

The M1 road at Mangochi turn off has been blocked by warring Muslims and Christians who are standing on either side of the road fighting.

This follows a decision by radical Muslims who defied the Anglican church order not to allow head scarf Hijab wearing during classes at Mmanga primary school and Mmanga Community Day Seconday School.

After the authorities of the school sent back the girls to remove the Hijab, a Muslim gear, Muslims descended on the Anglican church, demolishing it completely as well as the house of an Anglican priest.

The angry Muslims also threw out from a house belongings of a teacher, telling him to leave the premises.

In retaliation, Christians mobilized themselves against the Muslim attack and they have completely demolished a mosque.

For the whole morning a good number of shops at the Mangochi trading Centre remained closed.

Police fired tear-gas to quell the situation and are patrolling the area.

The issue started a few weeks ago and  when the communities thought it was resolved the Church closed the school a decision which has continue to cause tension.

The authorities in the district have been to school on several occasions to try and mediate  the two groups but to no avail.