Chief Mulelemba from Phalombe District embraced Islam three months ago. After learning about its teachings, she and many people in her village chose to follow the religion. They became committed to understanding Islam and practicing it in their daily lives.
One day, there was a funeral ceremony in the village. As is the tradition, a religious leader was invited to preach during the burial. On that day, a pastor was called to speak. However, instead of giving words of comfort, he began criticizing Islam and told those attending dawah classes to return to Jesus and repent, comparing them to the children of Israel who went astray in the desert.
Chief Mulelemba did not respond immediately. She waited for three days, then called the pastor to meet her. She asked him who his message at the funeral was directed at. The pastor replied honestly that it was against her and her people, questioning why they had embraced Islam when the village had always been known as a Christian community.
The chief responded calmly but firmly. She explained that they had chosen Islam because they wanted to know the truth, and that her people were happy with its teachings. She emphasized that everyone should be free to choose their religion and made it clear that she would not tolerate such attacks again in her village. From that moment, she reinforced the importance of respect and religious freedom in her village.
