Muslim Hijab sparks controversy in Mangochi: Malawi govt, community tussle, school closed
A fight has ensued between government and communities in the area of Traditional Authority Namwera in the Muslim district of Mangochi following the decision by the State to close down a primary school to enforce learners not to wear Hijab during school days.
Meanwhile, communities, through Chidothi and Company lawyers, have obtained a court injunction overturning government’s decision.
Government this week decided to close down Mama Khadija primary school after communities disputed the decision to stop Muslim pupils wearing Hijab during school days.
An attempt by government to enforce the decision on communities met a strong resistance in an area dominated by Muslims who hold their religion with high regards, leaving the school authorities and the State with no option but to temporarily shut down the learning institution.
However, on Wednesday the communities through their lawyers obtained an injunction at the High Court in Zomba to allow the school to be reopened.
Nyasa Times’ efforts to speak to Ministry of Education officials were fruitless as the issue was pushed on from one office to the other.
Mangochi is highly dominated by Muslims and there have been series of controversies and riots bordering on religious conflicts.
The people in the district are accusing the government of Islamophobic attacks.
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Let us face the reality. When it comes to dressing of respect muslims are ahead of any society in the world. It is not just a religious issue rather it has something to do with respect of women. It is not supposed to be just a gear for muslim women, but it should honourably apply to my mother and everybody’s mother as well as respect is concerned. Some people may back the banning of this school on religious grounds just because this beautiful attire might be a threat to other religions which have totally lost respect because of the dressing… Read more »
abraz do you know the reason why in almost all the schools around the world students wear uniforms? and do you also know that a school is a public place if not regulated there may be chaos? i still do not understand why we still have people who sold their common sense to their feelings and emotions like you, grow the bull balls and accept the realities, what if the Rastas say they would also want their kids go to school with dreadlocks, how about devil worshipers to go with human blood in bottles for afternoon rituals? grow up boy!
If the school is owned by Muslims then let them wear their terrorist hijab gear but if it is owned by govt or Christians no to terrorist wear, no to Boko Haram dress, no to ISIS costume, no to Al-Quaeda mask, no to terrorism
ISIS is here.
When I being president, I will destroy it within 30 days of my swearing in.
Kodi hijab yavutayo ya mpango kapena ya ninja……….koma ya ninja yokha amaonjeza….tikumakuonanitu kuti nde chani kodi kuvala kumeneku chonsecho amuna anu chibwenzi Chao sichivala mpango
Why are Muslims a thorn in people’s flesh everywhere. This group of people think people should always follow their opinion or what they believe in, why!!!!!!!??????. Why cant they learn from other religions. I even wonder why government did not arrst them when they declared Mangochi an islamic state yet they have arrested Wandale. Their head scalf thing covers people’s heads and cannot be allowed in primary schools. Government don’t dance to the tune of terrorism sponsoring religions
Chiwachimo,where is freedom of religion in Arab and Islamic nations you fool? Christians are not free to pray in their Churches if there is freedom.Christian women are not allowed to put on their head scarfs.What do they think they are to impose their religious cultures on us? In short,these people are killers that’s what their religion tells them to do.Look at Syria,Irag,Iran the whole of the Middle East people cross rivers of blood.We must not treat these Muslims with gloves in our hands,but use formidable fists to defend our selves and we must not allow evil Arabs in our country… Read more »
Kodi why does the world have a priblem with hijab and no problem with the stupid mbuzi hair wigs that are worn on the laidies head?
SAYING hijabu is not islamic teaching is nothing but ones madness. like it or not islam will remain islam of course some rascals are commeting that mangochi is not islamic district. people learn to accept things based on what on the ground.
mphwache wa bingu don’t show your ignorance here. Read the Quran before you write your stupid comments. If the bible talks about women covering their heads what more the Quran. Hijab is not traditional wear for Arabs, do you even know the meaning of Hijab? Romanians cover their heads, Nuns cover their heads are they Arabs. Read 1 Corinthians 11 v 6.
Issa remember we are talking of a primary school here(public place) not a mosque or a church, zanuzo muzikapangira mmalo anu opempherera osati mmalo omwe ali ndi malamulo ake, kodi umbuli chani?
Azilamu onse anyongedwe. Anthu amenewa ngaupandu, osamva, andeu, akuba, onyenga, afiti, masatana. Nanga hijab ikhale nkhani yomenyana ndi boma? eeiiish!