MAM Approves Three Candidates for 26 July Leadership Election; Two Aspirants Rejected

Three candidates have been cleared to contest for the leadership of the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) in the election set for 26 July 2026, after the association's vetting process approved three of the five aspirants who had expressed interest.

The approved candidates are Sheikh Idrissa Muhammad, Sheikh Chibwana Taimu, and Sheikh Omar Nkachelenga. Two others who had shown interest in the top post, Sheikh Imran Shareef Mahomed and Sheikh Abdul-Rahaman Ali Arab, were not approved to stand.

Speaking to journalists, the chairman of the association's board of overseers, Sheikh Ali Kennedy, outlined who will be eligible to cast a vote. Those entitled to vote include the board of overseers, senior officials responsible for running the association, one member from each of the organisations affiliated to MAM, three people from every region, and three people from every district.

Sheikh Kennedy appealed to the candidates and their supporters to spread messages that encourage unity, urging all sides to work towards strengthening brotherhood among Muslims as the community heads into the vote.

Under the association's 1994 constitution, a candidate for the leadership must be someone who takes part in the activities of the association and is a registered, standing member.

The 26 July election follows a period of legal contestation over the association's leadership, and is being held under the association's original 1994 order. Muslim Media Agency will continue to follow developments as the community prepares to choose its next leadership.