BY: Kassim Kajosolo
Muslims in Malawi have been urged to embrace curiosity and commitment in advancing both Islamic and secular education standards, as a way of contributing meaningfully to national development.
The call was made in Balaka during a one-day Arabic and Islamic Studies syllabus development workshop organized by the Muslim Educators Association of Malawi (MEA). The workshop aimed to highlight the importance of knowledge-seeking within Muslim communities and strengthen efforts to improve education delivery.
MEA Director, Dr. Sufian Rashid, who is also a lecturer at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, emphasized the need for active participation among Muslims in uplifting education standards across the country.
“Muslims must take a leading role in improving both Islamic and secular education systems. This will not only empower individuals with knowledge but also create opportunities for them to contribute effectively to Malawi’s development,” said Rashid.
He further revealed that processes are underway to fully enroll the Arabic and Islamic Studies syllabus into the national education system, following approval from the Malawi Institute of Education.
“We are making significant progress after receiving approval from MIE. Our goal is to ensure that Arabic and Islamic Studies are formally integrated into the education system, making them accessible to learners across the country,” he added.
Rashid also called on parents and the youth to actively engage with MEA initiatives by becoming members of the organization, saying their involvement is key to sustaining progress.
“Parents and young people must take ownership of this initiative. Their participation will help us strengthen and continuously improve the quality of education being offered,” he said.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders in Islamic education, including Secretary General of the Ulama Council of Malawi, Sheikh Muslim Abbas Vinjenje, who is overseeing the drafting of the Islamic syllabus.
Also in attendance were MEA Chairperson Adil Chilungo and MEA Coordinator Khalid Ellard Katanda, among other education stakeholders.
The initiative is expected to play a significant role in bridging the gap between religious and formal education, ultimately fostering inclusive and holistic learning in Malawi.