Malawians are struggling economically, as Muslims Ijitima debates challenges

Muslims leaders and scholars in Malawi have noted that the country’s citizens are wallowing in economic hardships and want a three-day annual national Ijitima conference to look at strategies of ending the suffering of people.

A renowned scholar and academic Dr. Imran Shareef Muhammad said the conference is “timely”, pointing that Malawians are “struggling socially and economically irrespective of their religious affiliations.”

He said Ijitima conference therefore, “should also suggest ways to respond to the current state of affairs in the country.”

Muhammad said as quoted by OnIslam.net : “Against the current levels of suffering in the country, this conference should strive to provide hope, not only among Muslims, but to all struggling Malawians. It should offer solidarity to those in economic and social bondage. This is the right platform whose agenda should embrace various aspects of life.”

Islam is the second largest religion in the country after Christianity.

Muslims account for 36% of the country’s 16 million population. Islam was the first religion to be introduced to Malawi by Arab slave traders in the 1880s.

At the Ijitima conference, delegates will moot out strategies to address major challenges affecting the growth of Islam in the secular, but diverse southern African nation.

“This year’s conference will identify major challenges affecting Muslims and Islam in the country. These challenges will enable us to look for solutions,” Sheikh Cassim Chongolo, Secretary General of the country’s supreme Muslim body, UALAMA Council of Malawi told OnIslam.net.

“We would like to propagate our religion in an environment conducive enough for growth. This is a momentous occasion for Muslims in this country.”

The conference will also pool together Muslims leaders and scholars from neighbouring countries, according Sheikh Chongolo.

“There are numerous challenges which include socio-economic, which are weighing heavily on the on the propagation of Islam in this country. This conference will therefore identify solutions to address them.”

This conference, said Chingolo, will also provide a window for stocktaking how leaders have worked to fulfil their tasks.