Despite promising that the Taliban group will be more liberal than they were 20 years ago, the terrorist group that has taken over Afghanistan is proving that not much has changed with their policies.

A Taliban leader has announced that music will be banned in Afghanistan and women will be required to travel with a male chaperone on trips that last several days.

In an interview with the New York Times, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said while women will eventually be allowed to return to work and go on trips to school, and hospitals, they would need a male chaperone for trips that last several days.

He added that music will be banned in the country.

Mujahid said: “Music is forbidden in Islam, but we’re hoping that we can persuade people not to do such things, instead of pressure them.”

Still, he said, things will be different under this Taliban rule than the previous regime.

Rejecting reports that the Taliban is already extracting vengeance on those who opposed them, Mujahid said: “We want to build the future and forget what happened in the past.”

He suggested to the New York Times that the Taliban will let women return to their jobs in the future as long as they wear a head covering. He added that concerns that the Taliban would once again force women to stay inside or cover their faces are baseless.

He also said that those with proper travel documents will be able to leave the country, and that his regime will not hunt down former interpreters and others who have worked with the American military over the years, but expressed frustration at American evacuation efforts.

He said: “They shouldn’t interfere in our country and take out our human resources: doctors, professors and other people we need here. In America, they might become dishwashers or cooks. It’s inhuman.”

But, he said, he is still hopeful that the Taliban could build good relationships with the international community, saying they have already cooperated with international leaders on issues like counterterrorism, opium eradication and the reduction of refugees to the West.

Mujahid’s remarks come one day after he announced at a press conference that women should remain inside “until we have a new procedure” in place, while the Taliban trains its forces not to harass women.

He said: “We are worried our forces, who are new and have not been yet trained very well, may mistreat women. We don’t want our forces, God forbid, to harm or harass women.”

In the meantime, he said, women’s salaries will be paid in their homes, echoing what Ahmadullah Waseq, the deputy of the Taliban’s cultural affairs committee, told the Times: that the Taliban has “no problems with working women” as long as they wear hijabs.

By Robert Kumwenda

Limbe Islamic Information Bureau National Coordinator Sheikh Ahmad Chienda has commended Mai Aisha Trust in conjunction with the office of Call and Guidance for organizing a journey for Muslim Sheikhs in Malawi to perform Umra prayers in Makah the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Chienda said apart from the Umra prayers the journey gave them an opportunity to participate in Dawah trainings, workshops and visits to some Islamic important sights.

“This was the first time for a Malawian delegation had gone and participate in this program run by the office of Call and Guidance in Makah,” he said.

The Limbe Information Bureau National Coordinator said they would like in a special way to thank Mai Aisha Trust for coming in to fund the journey and added  that they would also like to thank the office in Makah for providing accommodation, food and all logistics in Saudi Arabia.

“We would  like also  to thank Sheikh Bukhar of Bena Charity Trust for his support. As Limbe Islamic Information Bureau we have benefited a lot one for participating in Umra prayers. Secondly, for the lessons that we learnt through different esteemed Sheikhs and for having opportunity to meet big figures which is not easy,’ he said.

He further said that he had a chance to meet other people from other countries on the same program while learning their experience,” he said.

Chienda said to him as an individual it was a good moment because it has given him another view of doing things but also the bureau will benefit as they will be introducing some programs which they find to be relevant to the Muslim community.

Dr. Abubakr Imam Aliagan, who is a Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Ilorin made this known while reacting to the suspension of congregational prayers at Saudi Arabia.

Aliagan told reporters that Nigerian Muslim males should be allowed to observe their compulsory prayers in mosques.

He claimed that Muslims have already been endowed with a natural immune system to fight coronavirus.

He said:

“Again, our sisters are always adorned in Hijab, some even use Niqab and gloves. So, we the Muslims already have a potent immune system against coronavirus. That is to say that we don’t have any problem.

“Even in France, I learnt that those that are completely free from contacting coronavirus are Muslim ladies and women who cover their face, use hand gloves and don’t shake hands with people.

By Robert Kumwenda

Nasheeds (Islamic Music) are popular throughout the Islamic World. The material lyrics of a Nasheed usually make reference to Islamic beliefs, history religion as well as current events.

Mudassir Ghumra residing in Limbe, One of Malawi’s Nasheed artist has described how he started reciting Nasheeds saying that it all started when he was young in the year 2005 at Madrasah Noor Islam based in Limbe,Malawi.

He also said he used to attend and perform in Islamic public services and functions in mosques as well as private gathering devotions where he was chosen as a volunteer to be part of those that were reciting Nasheeds and Islamic poems.

“Almost Every month, there were gatherings at various places and there was a variation of different Nasheeds that were recited by myself and my mates” he said.

Ghumra said Nasheeds are prayed without any sort of music and they are the praise of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, the companions of Prophet Muhammad and Holy Saints and Illustrious Teachers.

“Madrasah Noorul Islam students and l were trained by qualified teachers at the Madrasah to recite Nasheeds in different tunes and various ways.

It was a mixture of English, Arabic and urdu Nasheeds. This is to engage with a wider audience so that they can connect to the Almighty in whatever way they feel best”

He said he has lost count of the number of young Muslims that have been trained here at Madrasah Noorul Islam to recite Nasheeds and till date from a very young age are being trained with so much devotion and enthusiasm.

The Nasheed artist said Nasheeds are rewarding and educational, so it is beneficial in its own ways as the one who is praying and listening are both rewarded. It is also a way of fulfilling what people would like to listen to in this day and age.

Three hotel security guards in Dubai have been arrested and are being accused of insulting Islamic religion through Facebook and Instagram.

The public prosecution accused the three Sri Lankans of contempt of religion with posts on Instagram and Facebook. They have been booked under the provisions of the anti-hate and discrimination law.

Currently they are under detention. The case dates back to May 19 and was registered at Al Barsha police station.

The incident was reported by a senior public relations officer at the resort.

A police sergeant said they moved to the resort after receiving the report. “We found the three guards were already restrained by their colleagues. With a prosecution warrant, we later searched their places and seized their mobile phones and laptops.”

The public relations officer said he learned about the three employees’ posts in May. “We summoned them for an internal probe. They admitted they had made those posts on their accounts on Facebook.”

The sergeant told the prosecution investigator that the defendants admitted they had posted the inappropriate messages and pictures on their accounts on social media.

Copies of the posts have been used as prosecution evidence in the case file.

During the prosecution investigation, the three accused confessed to the charge.
They will be sentenced on December 22.

Another attack on the village in the area near Mozambique border has claimed the lives of six Tanzanian people, the reports stated on Wednesday.

The unidentified jihadists ambushed Ngongo settlement located on an island in the Ruvuma River.

“A group of armed men is believed to have entered the country from Mozambique, ambushed the farmers at an island, rounded them up and shot them,” Tanzania’s director of criminal investigations (DCI) Robert Boaz stated.

Six people were confirmed dead while at least seven others sustained various injuries but managed to survive and escape the scene. The wounded villagers have been since admitted to the local hospital, their health condition is unknown.

The army forces and police have been investigating the matter.

Source : SADC News

Tension rages as learners continue to miss classes for four weeks now at M’manga Primary and Community Day Secondary Schools in Balaka.

This is after disagreements between the Anglican Church and Muslims in the area over the decision to bar learners from wearing hijab at the school.

Reverend Mphatso Bango of M’manga Parish says the stand of the Church is that they either don’t give in, or else turn the schools into private, than allow learners to be wearing the Muslim hijab.

But spokesperson for the Hijab Task Force, an arm of the Muslim Association of Malawi, Abdul Faduweck, says parents around the school have been taking part in developmental projects, and, therefore. ownership of the institution is questionable.

Muslim Youth United, a philanthropy arm of Muslims in Malawi, on Monday donated 273kgs of meat to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre in celebration of Eid al-Adha to spread some festive cheer to patients.

Eid al-Adha or festival of the sacrifice is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command. The other festival is Eid Ul Fitr which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadhan.

In his remarks executive member Sheriff Mtenje said they decided to assist Queens this time around to celebrate the holiday with those that are ill at the hospital.

“We realised that we also have brothers and sisters who are admitted at the hospital and found it proper to celebrate the Festival of the Sacrifice with them.

Mtenje added that sharing is part of Islamic teachings.

“Islam teaches us to share whatever we have with those in need and when you do that Allah blesses you more,” Mtenje said.

He said the group sourced the meet from various companies and volunteers and plan to make regular visits to the hospital for more donation of this nature.

Mtenje said this after the group was appraised by the Queens’ kitchen’s Chief in Charge Flora Chikoti and nursing officer Charity Malizani that the hospital needs over 180kgs of meet for a single meal.

“We very much appreciate this donation as you know we cater for a huge number of patients here who need good nourishment for them to recover properly,” Malizani said.

On her part, Chikoti said they do not get regular donors as food stuffs as mostly target at assisting on medicine and its related medical equipment.

“But we have a major donor in the name of Petroda, who assist us with rice, high protein milk and cooking oil every Friday.

“We also have a donor who assist us with Likuni Phala through Rab Processors as a donor. Likuni Phala helps in giving food supplements to patients who are mostly failing to eat hard food,” Chikoti said.

Mtenje said next time they shall engage more volunteers to donate more goat and cow meats as well as other food stuffs such as eggs, milk and Likuni Phala.

He said the Muslim Youth United was formed in 2014 as WhatsApp group as one way of empowering Muslim youths and later the idea to become a philanthropy group was born.

Muslim cleric (Sheikh) in Nkhotakota district has pleaded with Muslims in Sani area to collaborate with the aim of constructing an Islamic learning centre in the area.

Sheikh Zuliani from Mbalame village made the call today at Nkhandwe mosque after Jumuah (Friday) prayers.

Addressing Muslims, Sheikh Zuliani said well wishers are ready to construct an Islamic centre in the area but Sani and Chisoti residents must join hands to make the dream become a reality.

“We are supposed to join hands to have an Islamic learning centre in our area (Sani) for our children to be learning the teachings of out beloved religion.”

“The well-wishers are ready to construct the infrastructure with their funds but they are just asking us to start layering bricks so that they should come in to construct the institution. Those who want to support us financially are welcome so that we can employ brick layers to do the job,” Sheikh Zuliani said.

The Muslim cleric said collaborative efforts of Muslims in the area will help to make idea as it was in the past.

“In 1980s we were going at Mawira where Nkhotakota Islamic Primary School is now to learn Islamic education. Muslims of that time had a similar dream and we are supposed to follow suit. This institution can be benefiting a lot of Muslims in Sani area, Nkhotakota district and even Malawi as a country.” He said.

Sheikh Zuliani said the initiative of constructing an Islamic learning centre in Sani area is being facilitated by the office of Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) in Nkhotakota district.

Muslim Association of Malawi has said Muslims (MAM) in the country will observe Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers on Wednesday, 5th June,2019.

MAM Spokesperson Sheikh Dinala Chabulika told Malawi Broadcasting Corperation (MBC) that moon is yet to be sighted in the country hence the need to observe the prayerson Wednesday.

Sheikh Chabulika through MBC has cautioned people who are spreading false information that Eid prayers will be held today (Tuesday) to stop misleading people.

This is to mean Eid holiday will also be on Wednesday according to a press statement issued by Government of Malawi.

Muslims in some countries around the world are observing Eid prayers today, 4th June,2019.

This is following sighting of a crescent by Saudi Supreme Council marking the end of the blessed month of Ramadhan

Government has directed that no child should be excluded from public schools for dressing according to their religious rights.

According to a statement which Radio Islam has seen addressed to all heads of departments in the ministry of education, various faith-based organizations have been raising concerns on the dressing code especially in primary and secondary schools.

On this background, the ministry of education has advised all heads of department not to send back students on dressing code.

Reacting to the development, Hijab Task Force spokesperson, Abdul-salaam Faduweck, commended government for considering their concerns.

Source : Radio Islam

As Muslims across the world are in preparation for the commencement of the holy period of Ramadhan, United Transformation Movement (UTM) president has called on Muslims to take the opportunity to pray for May 21 polls.

Chilima was speaking at St. Augustine primary school ground in Mangochi during a campaign political rally ahead of May 21elections.

In his remarks, Chilima said he is happy that elections coincide with the month of Ramadhan.

He then urged Muslims to commit themselves in praying for violence free and fair elections.

“Since we are in Ramadhan, let’s remember to pray for the elections to be free, fair and credible,” Said Chilima.

He later on wished them a blessed and generous Ramadhan.

Ramadhan is a period of one full month that the faithful undertake a dawn dusk fasting which primarily entails abstinence from food, drink, marital intimacy and any such prohibitions as instructed by Allah. �m���>N�

The Muslim Commission for Justice and Peace (MCJP) has hit back at Islamic Commission for Justice and Freedom (ICJF) statement which endorsed Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate and incumbent President, Peter Mutharika, in the forthcoming elections.

 This has been said in a press statement released on Monday and signed by the Commission National Coordinator, Hassan Chimwala.

Chimwala expressed disappointment with the conduct of ICJF describing it as wrong, childish and unacceptable.

The statement further said ICJF’s conduct has undermined the integrity of Muslims in the country.

It added that not all Muslims in the country are in support of their decision to endorse president Mutharika.

“The remarks made by ICJF to endorse Professor Peter Mutharika as the best candidate for all Muslims to vote for in the coming elections is not a true representation of all Muslims in the country,” reads part of the statement.

Public Affairs Commission (PAC) Father Peter Mlomole in its previous meeting condemned the acts by some faith organizations to be involved in partisan politics.

He added that the role of religious leaders is to teach Malawians on electoral process.

“Our role is to teach Malawians on electoral process and not to tell them who to vote for in an election,” he said.

In his remarks President of Muslims Association of Malawi (MAM), Sheikh Dinala Chabulika said ICJF is a registered organization and it can do whatever it pleases.

He added that what ICJF said does not include all Muslims in the country.

Blantyre’s Magistrate court has slapped Andson Alfred also known as Mesho with a 2 year jail term for his song insulting Islam.His Producer has also been sentenced to 1 year in prison.

The musician caught controversy with his latest song titled ‘Mizikiti ichoke kuti Nyama ya nkhumba idibwe’ in which he calls for the demolition of mosques and allow everyone to eat pork. In the song, Mesho also asks Muslims to go to Makkah to practice their religion.

In the song, the singer calls for the elimination of mosques from Malawian land so that people should be able to consume pork, a meat which is deemed as unclean among the Muslim community.

The singer has also attacked Christianity in which he lobbies for the removal of Seventh Day churches so that people can freely eat catfish (Mlamba) which is also unclean among the Seventh Day congregants.

Last year, the police arrested another musician identified as Mwiza Chavula for releasing a song titled ‘rape’.

National Muslim Students Association – NAMSA will hold an annual conference this weekend at Malawi College of Medicine (CoM) in Blantyre.

NAMSA president, Jafar Jameson said this year’s event will be different from last year’s event as there will be elections of new office bearers.

“We are conducting this annual event with a number of issues such as discussing what we have done in the past two years, looking at the achievements and failures and focuses on the way forward, including electing new officers in the organisation,” Jameson said.

This year’s theme is ‘Effects of inefficient leadership in Muslim community in Malawi’, Jameson said it would encourage the Muslim youths and the community to be good leaders.

As such they have invited some notable speakers to the function to articulate the theme to the NAMSA members.

“People say the youths are leaders of tomorrow, but the youths need to understand that they are leaders of today, hence they need to take a leading role now and start questioning the inefficient Leadership,” Jameson said

He said “As such, we expect from the invited speakers to unveil the effects of inefficient leadership in the Muslim lives in Malawi so that the students who will be taking different leading roles understand the importance of being efficient leader.We need to achieve efficient leadership for the development of the society”.

Among the invited speakers are Shaikh Omar Nkachelenga, Dr. Rodrick Mulonya, Mr. Prince Mtelera and Brother Cassius Chidothe.

The meeting is expected to host over 300 participants from all colleges and secondary schools in the country.

Source : Malawi News Hub