High Court Judge, Violet Chipao has stopped the Muslim Association of Malawi-MAM from forcing Bena Charity Trust, an independent organization, from transferring Al-Ayaf Centre Administrator, Sheikh Douglas Hussein.
She has further ruled that MAM, Sheikh Hannif Kazembe of Dedza main mosque, his family and his close allies should also refrain from interfering with the Trustโs administration.
Reports indicate the Muslim community in the district was not amused with the decision to transfer Sheikh Hussein on allegations that he is a traditional doctor and that he once took part in the Jesus Way of Cross, a popular Christian ceremony.
In September this year, Dedza Airfield Muslim Jammat applied for an interlocutory injunction at the Lilongwe High Court restraining the Trust from forcefully transferring Sheikh Hussein.
In her consent judgment, Judge Chipao has ordered MAM and Sheikh Kazembe to stop pushing for the transfer of Sheikh Hussein and interfering in the Bena Charity Trust affairs.
Again, in the court documents we have seen, Chipao further says Sheikh Hussein can only be transferred from the Trust if he is found liable for a labour related offence in accordance with the Labour Laws of Malawi.
In addition, the ruling orders each party to meet their own costs of the proceedings.
Neither Sheikh Kazembe nor lawyers for the defendants, YD Attorneys was available for a reaction on the court judgment.
However, MAM spokesperson, Sheikh Chabulika said he could not comment on the court ruling but emphasized that as a mother body, their role was only to provide guidance and advice.
โBoth the claimant and defendant approached MAM to seek advice, so our role was just to give advice, no interest on the issue,โ says Chabulika in a brief written response.
