Source: Islam Online
Malawi Muslims are disappointed by their poor representation in the new cabinet, saying this undermines religious balance in the southern African country while experts see this as a wake up call for Muslims.
"There is a total under-representation of Muslims," Alhaj Yusuf Kanyamula, Chairman of the umbrella Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM), told IslamOnline.net on Thursday, June 18.
President Bingu wa Mutharika unveiled on Wednesday, June 17, his new 43-member cabinet featuring only two Muslims from his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The rest of the ministers are Christians from various denominations.
Mutharika, a devout Catholic who won a second five-year term last month, dropped several Muslim ministers from the new lineup.
During his first term, he had six Muslim ministers in addition to then Vice President Cassim Chilumpha.
The umbrella MAM described Muslims’ representation in the new government as the lowest since the introduction of pluralistic politics in the country in 1994.