Malawi President spices up Islamic Ziyarah Parade
By Owings Chawanda

President Bingu wa Mutharika and the first lady to be Callista, on Saturday, spiced up the Islamic Ziyarah Parade by joining the Parade, abandoning their private tour in Blantyre ,making it their first appearance on such Islamic events.

The president and his partner, who have just engaged on 14th February this year, and are planning to wed later in May this year, were on their private trip to Limbe when they coincidently encountered Muslims parading from Kanjedza Mosque to Mpingwe Sports Club in Limbe.

The two, who were in a jovial mood stopped and got out of the posh car which they were traveling in, and joined the Parade, walking with Muslims for about a half kilometer before proceeding with their trip.

Speaking on the Celebrations whose theme was; Key to Development, the Deputy Minister for Information and Civic Education Kingsley Namakhwa, who was the guest of honor, commended the Muslim community for taking a leading role in developing the country through various projects

Namakhwa said Muslims in the country have contributed significantly in the area of health, by constructing health centers and making drugs available to patients at a very reduced fee and sometimes at free of charge.

He added that Muslims have eased also the pressure which government was experiencing on lack of adequate schools and learning materials by building some school blocks and providing learning materials with the aim of promoting education.

The deputy minister therefore, urged other denominations to emulate the good gesture set by Muslims in order to develop the country. For this to be accomplished, he said Muslims and Christians need to work together for the betterment of the country.

“Let every body take part in development activity and the issue to do with development should not just only be left in the hands of government if we really want to bail out Malawi from poverty to prosperity.” Namakhwa said.

Faisal Aboo, Coordinator for the Ziyarah Parade which was organized by At-Tariqatul Qadriah Sunni Association (AQSA) said Islam promotes peace and harmony in order to meet its development agenda.

Aboo said, one of the fundamental principles in Islam is to be development conscious, that is the reason why Muslims initiate various development in the country, as such, Muslims will continue to initiate various developments in order to compliment government efforts to develop the country.

He said any development activity initiated by Muslim community in the country is not meant for Muslims only, rather is for every body including non Muslims.

“Islam teaches us to live in harmony and love our neighbors regardless of religious affiliation in order to share our common values, so the development we render to the nation should be enjoyed by all.” He said.

At least 2million Muslims nation wide took part in the Parade.
Ziyara Parade is an Islamic event which Muslims celebrate the birth day of Prophet Muhammad.
Such celebrations in early 1970s were done at night but later in 90s were changed to be celebrated during day time, according to Ali Ayam, Adminstrator for AQSA.

He said the celebrations were shifted from night to day in order to prevent HIV transmission among other reasons.

Ayam said the change came following reports that some people were involved in immoral behaviors because it was done at night, a thing which he said was against Islamic teachings.
He said, one of the greatest fear was HIV and AIDS which he observed that, at such gathering it is very easy for some individuals to contract the virus since the event attracts both men and women .