Religious body for democracy and peace

 

Malawi is known to be a peace loving country and to push forth democracy and peace some members of the Muslim community have formed Muslim Forum for Democracy and Peace (Mustford-peace). JAMES CHIMPWEYA spent some time with Sheikh Jafaar Kawinga who chairs the organization to get an insight into it.

 

Can you tell us about your organisation, what you do?

 

Muslim Forum for Democracy and Peace (musford-peace) is an NGO formed to promote unity, consolidate democracy and reconcile strained relationships to achieve peaceful co-existence necessary to achieve development in Malawi. Our core duty is to promote democracy consolidation, peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance towards a united Malawi for national development.

 

What are your objectives by forming this group and what issues do you want to address?

 

Some of our objectives are: To establish and operate a democracy consolidation and peace making organisation that will serve Malawi and the region. To reduce conflicts and promote unity. To offer conflict resolution. To operate a crisis counselling centre for people facing psychological traumas arising from disaster situations. And issues we want to address like; conflicts, reconciliation, mediation among others.

 

Can you expand when you say peace bridging forum, what do you mean?

 

Malawi as a country is known to be a peace loving country or nation for years, that’s why it is called “Warm Heart of Africa.” But of late there are some individuals who have developed a tendency of trying to destabilise the existing peace. So Musford-peace will always see to it that community , organisations adhere to our custom of unity. Musford-peace will remind and civic educate people on issues of peace and unity for the purpose of development in our beloved country, hence we don’t depart from our old customs.

 

In democracy consolidation what do you intend to achieve?

 

As a nation with a great deal of democracy consolidation we will achieve a great development, growth in education in youth, political tolerance gender related issues will also be achieved, religious and other organisation will be able to work together as one solid country.

 

Can you also expand on religious tolerance, what are you talking about?

 

Malawi is known to be a God fearing nation with multiple denominations like Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, African traditional churches etc. However, despite the fact that we differ in our beliefs, we need to love each other as Malawians. Musford-peace will be preaching this concept so that Malawi remains a united nation in Africa free from religious conflicts and religious intolerance.

 

As a religious NGO where do you report between CONGOMA and MAM?

 

Not necessarily reporting to Congoma or Mam.Musford-pc is an independent organisation as I stated on our objectives. However, our reports will be made available to Congoma as an Umbrella body for NGOs. Or any other organization which share similar vision to Musford-peace, of reconciliation, unity and religious tolerance in our country. Thank you. May Almighty ALLAH-GOD Bless Malawi.