The Qadria Muslim Association of Malawi told MBC that they are obliged to serve government of the day and not being used by politicians. According to the spokesperson for Qadria Muslim Association Jaffari Kawinga, Islamic teachings emphasize that Muslims should always respect the leader that was elected.

“Qadria Muslim of Malawi is unpartisan; it is a religious body with its own policy of working with government of the day in line with national development goals. That is in line with our teachings, we do not tell people who to vote for,” he said adding that everyone has rights and no one is forced on whom to vote for regardless of belief.

Kawinga therefore called on politicians to desist from making empty promises to the Muslim community because they want votes.

“The elections are in 2019, we have got a government now hence we are busy with the development programs that government has set aside and we can’t be talking about elections now as that would destruct programs which are underway,” he added.