MAM Has New Blood

Muslim Association of Malawi has elected new blood to lead the Association for the next five years. According to 2011 MAM National Elections which took place last Saturday at Mpingwe Sports Club in Blantyre, National Zakaat Fund vice chairman Sheikh Idrisa Muhammad from Makanjira in Mangochi won the elections with a landslide.

During the elections Sheikh Idrisa got 129 votes against his nearest challenger, former secretary general Sheikh Dr Imuran Shareef got a worthless 32. Three other contesters namely Sheikh Muhammad Osman got 13 votes, Sheikh Ali Kennedy former vice National Chairman and Sheikh Imuran Idrusi got 2 vote each. In his official acceptance speech Sheikh Idrisa pledged to bring transparency and accountability to make Muslim Association of Malawi self reliant. “I want to change MAM in terms of good governance. I will make sure that there is transparency and accountability in the Association at all levels in order to bring confidence among Muslim community in the country.” said Sheikh Idrisa. He added that lack of transparency and accountability in MAM destroyed its image and makes some donors to shun the Association. Sheikh Idrisa further declared to change the constitution as one way of revamping MAM. “We also want give respect to our trustees who are the owners of Muslim community and to call for the general assembly. It will be more actions than words”, said Idrisa. He therefore called upon his opponents to support him, saying there is no opposition in Islam. Sheikh Idrisa also pledged to work with all Muslim and Islamic Organisations. Speaking on behalf of the trustees, vice board chairman Sidik Mia promised to work with the new committee and give it support. Mia asked the new committee to prepare good plans that would develop Islam in the country. Former National Chairman Al Hajj Yusuf Kanyamula who pulled out from the race wished the new committee able-bodied in the next five years of their tenure of office. The new committee comprises Sheikh Shaibu Ibrahim of Dedza as vice chairman, Brother Issah Njauju from Mangochi as Treasure general, deputized by Brother Bujard Kalera from Salima and regional chairmen have also been incorporated into the new committee.