Malawi Muslim community combat unemployment with Zakat revenue

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Tuesday 12 May 2015 - 11:57 Makkah mean time-23-7-1436 (Google image) Lilongwe, Malawi (IINA) - As the increasing number of unemployed Malawian youth continues to rise, the country’s Muslim community has launched vocational training programs, to equip them with the skills necessary to create an “independent society” for “future leaders” of the southern African nation. The program is an initiative of the Islamic Zakat Fund (IZF). “The level of unemployment among young people in the country is quite worrying and depressing. The present situation paints a picture that we are deliberately ignoring their welfare,” Muhammad Osman, the fund's national director, told OnIslam. “The situation calls for concerted efforts to change this picture. The vocational training program has been introduced to create hope and a spirit of self-reliance among the youth.” “Unless, we create business or employment opportunities for our youth, who are the majority in the country, the future of Malawi is at stake. This program is a step in the right direction.” Despite the program being an initiative of Zakaat Fund, Osman confirmed it was open to all young people regardless of their religious affiliations. “This initiative is open to all young people, Muslim or Christian. Through this program, we are sending out a message that unity in diversity is possible. “Unemployment in this country remains a serious social-economic development challenge which is affecting various aspects of life. So we have decided to look beyond religious boundaries to address this pressing challenge,” Osman added. Since the program was initiated, according to its principal, Henry Kunje, it has garnered massive interest among young people across the country’s religious spectrum. “They have found hope in this initiative to acquire skills which could enable them to stand on their own. They can either get employed or start their own business enterprises. We are doing all what we can to live up to their aspirations and dreams through this program,” Kunje told OnIslam. Islam is the second largest religion in the country after Christianity. Muslims account for 36% of Malawi's 16 million population. SM/IINA