Peter Mutharika calls for unity

President Peter Mutharika has urged religious leaders to preach peace, love and unity this Easter Season as Malawi and the entire world grapples with Covid-19.

Mutharika made the call in his Easter message State House released on Saturday.

He says this year’s Easter Season has come at a defining moment when the world grapples with the disease which has killed two people in Malawi.

“The President and the First Lady call upon religious leaders in the country to use this occasion to preach peace, love and unity among all Malawians at this time of coronavirus and beyond,” reads the statement in part.

It is signed by State House Press Secretary Mgeme Kalilani.

The President says he is hopeful that Malawians will use this year’s Easter celebrations to strengthen their spiritual lives which are being tested by coronavirus.

“The President and the First Lady believe that this is the time to renew our hope that coronavirus will be conquered through this season when Jesus Christ conquered death,” reads the statement.

This year’s Easter has been dealt a huge blow due to restrictions on public gatherings in the wake of the pandemic.

Spot-checks conducted by The Daily Times over the weekend showed that church services are being limited to less than 100 people per service.

Fr Willard Kamandani of Chilomoni Anglican Church said this year’s Easter has been without pomp compared to other Easter celebrations in the past.

Kamandani said as a church they are encouraging their faithful to observe good hygienic practices such as washing hands with soap and observing social distance.

“We are saying if you have flu-like symptoms, stay home. This is not segregation because by isolating yourself, you are breaking the chain through which the disease can be passed on to other people,” he said.

Malawi has so far recorded 13 Covid-19 cases with two deaths.

Globally the disease has infected over 1. 7 million people, killing over 111,000.