Malawi enters Ramadan with first Muslim TV channel

Malawi Muslims will celebrate the start of the holy month of Ramadan with the launch of the nation’s first-ever Islamic television channel, TV Islam (TVI). The channel, which goes on air at 2.00 p.m. CAT (1200GMT) after Jumu’ah prayers today, gives Muslims in the southeastern African nation an opportunity to watch Islam prayers and Islamic […]

Malawi Muslims will celebrate the start of the holy month of Ramadan with the launch of the nation’s first-ever Islamic television channel, TV Islam (TVI).

The channel, which goes on air at 2.00 p.m. CAT (1200GMT) after Jumu’ah prayers today, gives Muslims in the southeastern African nation an opportunity to watch Islam prayers and Islamic religious programs for free on a local channel.

“The station is important as it is the first of its kind in the country. It will work as a bridge to a number of Islamic historical, economic, cultural and social issues,” Abdullah Omar Mdala, head of the station, told Anadolu Agency in an e-mail interview on Thursday. 

In the past, Muslims in Malawi had to access foreign Islamic TV channels on pay television. Islam is the nation’s second-largest religion, with believers of over 30 percent of the 17 million population. 

Mdala expects 30 percent viewership from Muslims and 20 percent from non-Muslims.

Gideon Munthali, director of information at the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, said “We believe the coming of this new TV station will assist in the important task of spreading the message of love and unity among all Malawians.”

(aa.com.tr)