Mangochi Muslims defy MBC injunction on camera
Angry Muslims in Malawi’s lakeshore resort town of Mangochi who snatched a camera belonging to state television are adamant that they will not release the camera despite the court injunction obtained by MBC.
The incident happened last Saturday when the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) television crew went into the mosque and started recording video footage without permission.
Economic Planning and Development Minister Ralph Jooma and his Energy counterpart Ibrahim Matola – both legislators from the district – who wanted to mediate when the camera was snatched, were beaten.
MBC management obtained an injunction from the High Court in Blantyre on Thursday afternoon compelling the leader of Mangochi Main Mosque to release the camera.
But speaking during Friday prayers at Mangochi mosque, chairman for Muslim association of Malawi in the district, Sheikh Adam Imran said what the government has done is tantamount to belittling Moslems and Islam as a religion.
“let the government know that we will not release the camera come rain or sun shine unless we know the motive behind the unauthorised video shooting in our mosque,” he said.
The Muslims held special prayers for the matter.
Secretary at Mangochi Main Mosque Cassim Kasinde, said despite getting apologies from Mangochi District Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer and Police Officer-in-Charge, the Muslims are not satisfied.
“We want those who were in the wrong to explain. The government spokesperson, MBC management, Muslim Association of Malawi, those MBCtv crew and Kadria Muslim Association must explain why the ambushed Muslims and started recording in the mosque. They had sinister motives.”
And Sheikh Sharif Chileka said the congregants seized the camera because the crew did not follow the right procedure to record their programme at the mosque.
“I was personally not approached by the guys. We were completely ignorant of their programme which raised eyebrows,” he said.
Mangochi, a Muslim stronghold, has always been a flash-point on matters of religion.
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