Page 44 - SoMJ Vol 74 - No 1, 2021

34 The Society of Malaŵi Journal

aspects of this are particularly strong in districts like Mangochi and Machinga
where Muslims form the majority of the population.
One example of this has been efforts to secure for Muslim women the
right to wear hijab, in the form of a headscarf, in every situation. This right was
granted to nurses in 2012. In 2017 the Muslim Association of Malawi pursued a
court case which resulted in Muslim women being given the right not to have to
remove their headscarves for driving licence photographs. In 2019 this provision
was extended to passport photographs. The question of whether Muslim girls
should have the right to wear hijab in all schools has been a source of contention.
This has been the case particularly in Mangochi and Machinga where many
Muslim girls attend schools run by Christian Churches. When the proprietors have
insisted that their pupils conform to school rules about dress and not wear hijab
this has occasionally led to confrontation and even disturbances. In some schools
there has also been opposition from Muslim parents to the extension of timetables
into the afternoon, on the grounds that this would interfere with their children’s
madrassa classes which normally take place at that time.
Another issue which has been contentious has been the selling of pork in
marketplaces. Throughout the country Muslims have campaigned to stop this
practice on the grounds that it is offensive to their religious sensibilities. It is an
issue about which feelings can run high and when pork has been brought to a
market some Muslims have sometimes taken direct action to prevent this
happening. This has occasionally led to disorder, again particularly in areas where
there is a Muslim majority.
At various times Muslim groups, along with some Christian ones, have
lobbied against the indiscriminate use of condoms, and the legalisation of
abortion. They have also lobbied in Parliament against gambling and against
proposals to make polygamy illegal. All this on the grounds that what they are
opposing is contrary to Islamic values.
There has been lobbying, particularly from Qadiriyya Muslims, to have
the birthday of the Prophet, Maulid ul Nabi, recognised as a national holiday. This
occasion is now marked annually in Malawi’s cities by large parades and
celebrations, known as Ziyara, which they organise. This proposal however does
not have the support of all Muslims, as the more conservative Muslim Association
of Malawi do not think that it is justified by the Qur’an, the practice of the Prophet,
nor the Sharia.
Related to Muslims’ desire for them and their religion to be given fuller
recognition in the life of the nation is the refusal of many of them to accept the
results of National Censuses about the proportion of Muslims in the population.
Though the 2018 Census put this at 13.8%, the Muslim Association of Malawi
claims that its own figures show the proportion to be much higher, at around 35%.
In order to ensure that their concerns and the part that Muslims play in
the life of the nation are all well reported and appreciated, Muslim organisations