Lilongwe, 20 May, 2021 / 2:48 pm (ACI Africa).
Catholic Church leaders in Malawi are urging dialogue after St. Louis IX the King Mpiri Parish of Mangochi Diocese received an ultimatum to vacate what was described as “Muslim territory”, the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has told ACI Africa.
The leader of the Muslim community in Mosiya village, Machinga in Mangochi Diocese, Yusuf Bwanali, said they demand the Parish to vacate the area after Church-run learning institutions barred female Muslim learners from wearing hijab, the veil worn by Muslim women, which usually covers the ears, head, and chest.
“We are aware of the ultimatum issued by some Muslims in the area where a Catholic school has been closed for almost a year. As the Catholic Church, we don’t believe in ultimatums. Ultimatums have never worked. Dialogue is the only solution,” ECM Secretary General, Fr. Henry Saindi told ACI Africa Thursday, May 20.
As ECM, Fr. Saindi further said, “we are participating in dialogue facilitated by the Public Affairs Committee. We are hopeful that a lasting solution will be found.”
Local media reported that Bwanali issued the ultimatum saying it was “irritating, discriminatory and a disgrace” that female Muslim learners have been barred from wearing hijabs.
