This year’s Eid Ul-Fitr event could be the most memorable for former Minister of Homeland Security, Uladi Mussa, who couldn’t manage to hide his smile when he met president Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday where the two went to join the entire Muslim community for Eid Ul-Fitr prayers in Malawi’s capital – Lilongwe.
President Chakwera recently pardoned Mussa from his 5-year prison sentence where he was committed after being convicted of corrupt-related charges committed during his service as Minister of Homeland Security. He assisted foreign nationals to illegally obtain Malawi passports – according to charges he was convicted of.
During the Easter celebrations year, the Malawi leader in exercising his constitutionally-granted power to pardon convicts included Mussa on his list, effectively cutting his hard-labour – prescribed imprisonment with over two years.
Eid Ul-Fitr, (Arabic: “Festival of Breaking Fast”) is the first of two canonical festivals of Islam that marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.
As in Islam’s other holy festival, Eid al-Adha, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak on its first day hence the gathering.
The Malawi leader, who is a Christian and pastor in his own right has graced the Moslem prayer function at an invitation of the Muslim body responsible for organizing the event.
“On this joyous day, let me begin by thanking the Qadria Muslim Association for inviting me to this year’s prayers marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal”, said the Malawi leader in his remarks stated to the gathering.
Meanwhile, the Muslim community has dedicated this year’s event to the consideration of victims of Cyclone Freddy which has left astronomical damage to life and property in Malawi with further impact requiring strategic and unified approach to manage.
