Muslim Blog Muslim BlogLILONGWE – Defying hard economic challenges, a record number of Malawians have embarked on the spiritual, life-time journey of hajj, a development Muslim scholars have described as a “great triumph” over socio-economic challenges affecting the southern African nation.
“On realization of the dwindling of Malawian Muslims travelling for Hajj for the past few years, we have over the years intensified efforts to create awareness on the significance of hajj to a Muslim,” Sheikh Ahmad Chienda, Hajj Manager in the country, told OnIslam.net.
“Through these efforts, we have seen that this year, a lot of people are willing to go,” he added.
Poverty Cuts Malawi Pilgrims Numbers
Muslims from around the world pour into Makkah every year to perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Hajj consists of several ceremonies, which are meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family.
Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must perform hajj at least once in a lifetime.
Follow News Zone on:
With Muslims worldwide aspiring to perform the life-time journey, economic challenges have put Malawi Muslims dreams on hold for years.
“For several years running, the country has been going through serious economic challenges, which largely contributed to the decline in numbers of Muslims travelling for Hajj prayers, but what we have noted is that despite the prevailing economic pain, there is a marked improvement in the numbers of Muslims going for hajj,” Chienda said.
“This has been necessitated by the level of awareness efforts and improvement in the economic statuses of most Muslim business people.”
The situation changed following huge efforts by Muslim scholars to introduce Malawians to the importance of hajj.
According to Chienda, about 280 Muslims are travelling for hajj this year, a record number that has not been achieved for many years.
“What we have noted this year is that following the efforts we have made to take the message of hajj to the people, scores of Muslims are willing to raise money and pay for themselves,” he told OnIslam.net.
“In the past, local Malawians were being paid for by some wealthy Muslims of Asian origin. But this year, we have local Muslims raising money on their own because they have realized the significance of this pillar of Islam.”
Praise
The remarkable increase in pilgrims’ numbers in Malawi has been applauded by Muslim scholars.
“By having such large numbers of local Malawians going for hajj, it’s a clear indication that religion has triumphed over socio-economic challenges which have subjected Malawians to pain. This is a commendable development,” Dr. Imran Shareef Muhammad, renowned scholar and Academician told Onislam.net.
“And these sensitization meetings should continue so that the numbers should keep on growing every year. It is absolutely important that every Muslim should be able to appreciate what hajj is all about.
“It shouldn’t be an obligation for the rich only. This is a religious requirement which has to be fulfilled by every able Muslim.”
Malawi has over the past few years been sailing through economic challenges.
The government has been implementing reforms to reverse the situation, which according to economists have subjected the poor to “misery”.
According to the World Bank, Malawi is one of the poorest nations in the world whose majority poor struggle to survive on less than US$1 a day.
Islam is the second largest religion in Malawi after Christianity. Muslims account for 36% of the country’s 16 million population.
“What we have seen is a strong indication that we have the hand of Allah in all what we are doing,” said Chienda.
“In the past few years, this was extremely a difficult task. But today everything is very smooth. It is our hope that every year, the numbers will keep on rising. We will continue with our efforts to sensitize people on the need for hajj.”
