The Islamic Information Bureau (IIB) recently celebrated a significant milestone with the official opening of a new prayer room at Chileka International Airport.
The facility was handed over by Airport Development Limited (ADL) in a ceremony at the airport, marking a new era of religious inclusion and spiritual diversity.
“We are thrilled to partner with ADL in providing a quiet space for Muslim travelers to worship,” said Sheikh Abdul Karim, IIB representative.
“This prayer room is a symbol of peace, understanding, and comfort for all travelers, regardless of their faith.”Karim added.
The prayer room, located within the passenger terminal, provides a serene environment for Muslims to perform their daily prayers.
The IIB expressed gratitude to ADL for supporting religious inclusion and promoting spiritual diversity.
“We believe that this prayer room will be a welcoming space for travelers of all faiths,” said Mr. John Phiri, ADL representative.
“We are committed to ensuring that our facilities cater to the needs of all passengers, regardless of their religious background.”Phiri explained.
The prayer room will be maintained by the IIB and will remain open during airport hours.
This development is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of religious inclusion and diversity in public spaces.
As passengers travel through Chileka International Airport, they can now find solace and peace in the new prayer room.
MultiChoice Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering accessible and affordable entertainment for Malawians.
MultiChoice Malawi Managing Director Averessa Ndlovu Chella made these remarks during a showcase of DStv and GOtv programmes in Lilongwe.
Chella said the event was about highlighting what MultiChoice has to offer and the value it brings to people’s homes.
Averessa Ndlovu Chella
She further stated that although there is still a long journey ahead, the partnership with the Ministry of Information and Digitalization will help grow the creative industry in Malawi.
Chella said: “Our objective is to create efficiencies and ease for our customers.”
She added that adopting the digital era is key to their business and that driving such efficiency is part of what they offer.
She mentioned that through their partnership with the government and their agenda for digital growth, they will be able to achieve important milestones.
She added that they package their products and prices in a way that makes them affordable for every customer.
She said: “That is why we are not limited to one package on DStv or GOtv. We offer many packages that are accessible and cater to different budgets.”
In his remarks, Ministry of Information and Digitalization Principal Secretary Baldwin Chinyamwaka said they have plans to develop a digital broadcasting policy aimed at guiding the growth of the industry.
Chinyamwaka revealed that the policy will help create a favourable environment for broadcasters and boost local content development.
He disclosed that the ministry will work to ensure that both service providers like DStv and consumers are protected through regulatory oversight institutions.
As it stands now, all major media houses in Malawi, including the state-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), are broadcasting Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba’s event at Chancellor College.
This level of coverage is significant, given the usual selective nature of media attention, especially by MBC, which has often been criticized for favoring government-aligned narratives.
Mumba’s event, currently taking place at the prestigious Chancellor College in Zomba, has attracted a nationwide audience, further underlining the importance and weight of his message.
The decision by nearly all major media platforms to cover the event live underscores the perceived relevance of Mumba’s public lecture and the growing interest in his political outlook.
On Sunday, a similar media setup is expected to unfold at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre, where Mumba will continue what appears to be a deliberate outreach campaign to connect with ordinary Malawians.
The continuation of these public engagements across regions and the coordinated media coverage suggest a calculated and strategic move to amplify his message across the country.
It is particularly noteworthy that just last week, even MBC—which traditionally aligns its broadcasting with central government priorities—covered the handover ceremony of ambulances in Mzimba.
This emerging pattern of coverage points to a subtle shift in how public interest events are being presented in the media landscape, potentially signaling an evolving openness to diverse political expressions.
The fact that MBC is now covering events that involve individuals or messages not necessarily confined to strict government propaganda could be seen as a positive step toward broader media pluralism.
However, everyone has a right to interpret these developments as they see fit.
For some, this level of exposure reflects Mumba’s increasing popularity and his ability to capture the national imagination at a time when Malawians are yearning for authentic leadership.
For others, it may be interpreted as part of a broader political reconfiguration, with certain factions within or around government repositioning ahead of the 2025 general elections.
Still, there are those who might argue that such media focus is premature or strategically manipulative, serving interests yet to be fully revealed to the public.
What remains clear is that Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba has managed to insert himself into the national political discourse in a way that commands attention, analysis, and debate.
Whether as a reformist insider, a future contender, or a visionary minister seeking to transform the political culture, Mumba’s media presence is no longer incidental—it is intentional and influential.
As the weekend approaches and Njamba Freedom Park becomes the next venue of public engagement, all eyes will again be on what he says, how he says it, and what it ultimately means for Malawi’s political future.
In this media-driven age, where narrative shapes perception, and perception influences power, the extent and tone of coverage surrounding Mumba may well be an early indicator of shifting political tides.
The Kanengo Police Station in Lilongwe, Malawi, has highlighted the importance of community sensitization to promote peaceful coexistence among community members, regardless of their political affiliations.
This call was made during a recent engagement between the Kanengo Police and the Kanengo Senior Politicians Against Violence (KASPAV), which brought together aspiring members of Parliament and councillors from various political parties, including the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), United Transformation Movement (UTM), United Democratic Front (UDF), and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Milly Kandiyero, representing the Officer-in-Charge of Kanengo Police, stressed the need for unity and peace within communities, despite political differences. Kandiyero emphasized that peaceful coexistence is crucial for the well-being and development of the community.
Phillimon Nkasauka Phiri, Publicity Secretary for KASPAV, cautioned aspirants against perpetuating violence, saying politicians need to promote peaceful interactions and avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
The meeting aimed to sensitize politicians on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in their communities.
Phiri noted that politicians have a significant role to play in promoting peace and stability, and they should avoid actions that could lead to violence. “We need to promote peaceful interactions and avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could lead to violence,” Phiri said.
The Kanengo Police Station has been working closely with the community to promote peace and stability. In 2014, the Peace Ambassadors Malawi organization was established to promote peace and cohesion, community harmony, and mutual coexistence.
The organization has been working with the police and other stakeholders to promote peace and stability in the community.
The meeting between the Kanengo Police and KASPAV is a step in the right direction towards promoting peace and stability in the community. It is essential for politicians to work together and promote peaceful coexistence, regardless of their political differences.
By doing so, they can create a conducive environment for development and growth.
The Malawi Police Service has been working to protect public safety and rights of persons in Malawi since its founding in 1921. The service is headed by an Inspector General of Police and is mandated by the constitution to maintain law and order.
In recent years, the police have been working to address issues such as albino killers and thugs armed with panga knives. The CCAP-Blantyre Synod has expressed concern over the police’s failure to provide security to peaceful demonstrators.
However, the Kanengo police station has commended stakeholders in its operating area for their support in the fight against albino killers.
The meeting between the Kanengo Police and KASPAV highlights the importance of promoting peace and stability in the community. Politicians have a significant role to play in promoting peace and stability, and they should avoid actions that could lead to violence.
By working together, politicians can create a conducive environment for development and growth.
The Kanengo Police Station will continue to work closely with the community to promote peace and stability.
Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara has accused Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda of attacking her over the failure to enforce Section 65 of the parliamentary rules, claiming that the criticism is motivated by sexism. Section 65 empowers the Speaker to recall Members of Parliament who cross the floor.
However, Chaponda has pushed back, calling for Gotani Hara’s resignation due to her alleged failure to discharge her duties fairly. He accuses her of gagging opposition MPs who are pushing for electoral reforms. The opposition leader’s demands come after chaotic scenes erupted in Parliament, with Gotani Hara accused of bias in handling parliamentary affairs.
Gotani Hara’s defense is that she’s being singled out because she’s a woman, despite previous Speakers also failing to enforce Section 65.
Gotani
The provision has been a contentious issue since 2014, with all Speakers facing criticism for not enforcing it. MPs often secure court injunctions to block the process, further complicating the matter.
Critics argue that Gotani Hara’s leadership has been marred by incompetence and partisanship.
Her failure to uphold parliamentary rules and regulations has led to confusion and disruption within the legislature. Some have even called for her impeachment, citing her inability to manage parliamentary affairs effectively.
The controversy surrounding Section 65 enforcement has sparked intense debate, with some arguing that the provision is essential for maintaining party loyalty and others seeing it as an infringement on MPs’ rights. The issue remains a contentious point in Malawi’s parliamentary politics.
In related news, Gotani Hara has faced criticism for delaying approval for the parliamentary inquiry into the plane crash that claimed the life of former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima.
This has further fueled concerns about her leadership and commitment to upholding parliamentary procedures.
As tensions between Gotani Hara and Chaponda escalate, the future of Malawi’s parliamentary politics hangs in the balance.
The controversy surrounding Section 65 enforcement and Gotani Hara’s leadership will likely continue to dominate the headlines in the coming days.
