Coordinator for Balaka Muslim Information Bureau Sheik Yahaya Mandale said this at Balaka Muslim Centre, when the district’s Muslim community invited Christians in the partaking of Iftar (breaking of the day’s fasting).

Sheikh Mandale said co-existence between people of different religious beliefs was the only way the world, and Malawi in particular can realize an everlasting peace and unity.

“As Muslims, we thought it wise to come up with this occasion to interact with our friends as well as share with them some information on why this holy month is important in Islam. Allah (God) created us as one regardless of our religious beliefs,” said Sheikh Mandale.

On his part, Pastor Peter Banda of Pentecostal Holiness Association hailed Muslims from Balaka for the ceremony saying this would strengthen their relationship spiritually.

“The occasion enables us to shape better perceptions towards each other hence this ceremony has been fruitful as everybody had a chance to articulate their views amicably,” said Pastor Banda.

The ceremony was attended by various church leaders and everybody was given a Holy Quran translated in Chichewa.

This year’s month of Ramadan began on Friday, May 26 and will, depending on the sighting of the new moon, end on Saturday, June 24, 2017.