Minister challenges faith leaders

Minister of Civic Education and National Unity Timothy Mtambo has challenged Christian and Muslim leaders in the country to play a leading role in uniting Malawians than getting entangled in politics.

He said this in an interview on the sidelines of separate meetings he held with Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central African Presbytery (CCAP) and Quadria Muslim Association of Malawi (Qmam) leaders in Blantyre on Wednesday.

Mtambo said religious leaders are important as they guide the citizenry in the right direction by unifying them.

He said: “Religious leaders are very important in the development of the country. We are coming from a difficult past and we need to learn from it. We need collective values to unite us as a nation and we need to work together in telling people about unity and love. The church is an institution of love and that is why the leaders must be in the forefront.”

The minister, who first met the Blantyre Synod leadership at the Grace Bandawe Conference Centre, said there is need for the country to have a new beginning from the numerous challenges that have created wounds in lives of many Malawians.

According to Mtambo, before on Wednesday’s engagements he met Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) and further indicated that he will be meeting with other religious leaders soon.

During his meeting with the synod leadership, general secretary the Reverend Billy Gama said it is important that a truth and reconciliation process starts as many Malawians have anger from past wounds that need healing.

“We can never be united if we think we need to be alike. There will always be differences but we can remain united regardless,” he said.

During the afternoon meeting with Qmam which took place at the Central Office of Information, Qmam general secretary Osman Karim said they will always offer constructive criticism to government.

“We have spoken against previous governments on various issues including corruption and if we also notice similar issues, we will always criticise,” he said.

Karim also said if there is to be mindset change, then government must take the initiative for they are servant leaders.