By: Bro. Adil J. Chilungo

Introduction

Muslims in Malawi are greatly experiencing problems and suffering in their pursuit of their mundane aspects of life which in a greater detail affects their effective spiritual development. The root cause of such suffering is the lack of proper education among Muslims in the country. The type of education referred to here is the one that focuses on the Islamic aspects of both the mundane and spiritual realms of life; where the dictates of the Quran and Sunnah prevail over the prevailing western-pseudo-Christian values.

This paper outlines some of the practical challenges currently facing Muslims in Malawi and proposes possible solutions in overcoming most of these challenges. However, to best appreciate such challenges, a brief Muslim historical background is presented along with the discussion.

 The paper starts by giving a brief description of the Malawian Muslim who is at the centre of the ensuing discussion. The paper then presents a preliminary overview of the geography, population, economy and politics of Malawi with a brief relation to Muslims. The paper also moves on to present the major challenges Muslims face in the country. The section is then followed by a brief historical background and link to the current state of Muslims in Malawi especially as it relates to education. Islamization of knowledge has also been discussed briefly as a possible panacea to the current malaise in the education of Muslims in Malawi. The paper also includes sections that address issues such as activities of Muslim organizations, Muslim representation vis-à-vis country authorities, and Muslim relations with the Muslim World. Finally, the last section proposes some of the practical solutions aimed at overcoming the challenges raised with a specific focus to the Islamization of knowledge agenda.

 The presentation has adopted an approach where most of the demographic aspects of the Muslims will come side by side with the issues and challenges mentioned so as to raise the proper awareness and extent of the problems Muslims continue to face in the country.

List of Abbreviation

ADEF                         African Development Education Fund

ADRA                         Adventist Development and Relief Agency

AMA                           Africa Muslim Agency

AMSA                        Africa Muslim Schools association

ECLOF                       Ecumenical Church Loan Fund

CHAM                        Christian Health Association of Malawi

DEMAT                      Development of Malawian Enterprise Trust

IDV                             Islamic Development Village

LIMO                           Lilongwe Islamic Movement

MDI                             Munazzamat Dawah Islamia

MAM                           Muslim Association of Malawi

MEDI                          Malawi Enterprise Development Institute

SEDOM                      Small Enterprise Development of Malawi

ASUM                         Association of Sunni Madrassahs

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