By Hashim Msusa

Today marks a week since Malawi ushered in a new government following fresh presidential election whose winning president pledged to run Malawi well, with a government that fights for people. As a nation do we take the pledge lightly?

The pledge as made by the new president of the Republic of Malawi gives the nation new hope. His pledge energizes the citizens to build new lease of life. In a pledge, running Malawi well the president understand that Malawi is a home for all to prosper. This gives us hope that nepotism and discrimination will not form part of new Malawi.

In pledging to run Malawi well, by making Malawi a home for all, the new president understands that a leader should deal with people fairy regardless of their tribe or religion.The 18 plus million people of Malawi is made of tribes, regions, and more importantly varying religious groupings. It will only be running Malawi well when all are given fair treatment, equal share of the nation’s resources   and opportunity for all to grow.

God Almighty says in the Noble Qur’an, “And when you judge between man and man that you judge with justice.” (4:58) We therefore hope that tribe and religion will not be the benchmark to receive favours or a benchmark to be discriminated against.

Fascinating in the new president inaugural speech is the mention of time has come for us to go beyond dreaming. Perhaps as a nation we have dreamt enough and the new president want us to go beyond the dreaming. We have dreamt of freedom of religion, let’s now honour that dream by remaining a secular Malawi.

Taking action upon what we dream of a prosperous Malawi, free of discrimination, is the way to go. God Almighty says in the Noble Qur’an, “God does not change the condition of people until they change what is in themselves.” (13:11) Malawi is poor despite having abundant natural  resources. Let us change our condition.

Conclusively, we do not take the pledge lightly because a pledge has a spiritual face in the understanding of Islam.The fourth Caliph Ali Ibn Abi Talib (May God Almighty be pleased with Him) advised, “It is better to reject politely than give promises. We hope the pledge to run Malawi well will achieve and bear fruits.

God Almighty says in the Noble Qur’an, “O you have believed, why do you say what you  do not do? Great is hatred in the sight of God that you say what you do not do.” The nation shall anxiously wait to see the fulfilment of the pledge made.