Blantyre — The Catholic Church here, and the Malawi Council of Churches, have asked the government to compensate victims of violence perpetrated by some sections of the Muslims, which occurred after the government refused to honour a High Court order restraining deportation of five Al Qaeda suspects arrested here on June 21.

The government of Malawi, in collaboration with the US intelligence agents apprehended the five Muslim expatriates on suspicion that they were Al Qaeda operatives. The suspects were whisked away to an unknown destination, even after a High Court order against the move.

The Muslims accuse government authorities, and the Musim Association of Malawi (MAM) for failing to ensure trial to establish if the suspects were members of Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaeda network or not.

Rampaging and riotous, they ransacked the secretariat of MAM on June 27, destroying furniture and computers. Another group caused extensive damage to various premises in the southern region district of Mangochi.

Five Christian churches, the office of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) party, Save the Children Fund (USA), were among the damaged buildings. The Muslim youth also burnt several vehicles, including one belonging to Fr Lazarus Girevulo of the Catholic Church.

In its statement, the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) has urged speedy compensation of victims, demanding setting up of a joint commission of enquiry to determine the root cause of the violence. "We call upon Christians to be calm in the face of this hatred and provocation as we seek redress for the damage caused to property and persons," says part of the statement signed by Rev Matiya Nkhoma, of the Presbyterian Church.

The Catholic Church, through its Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), blamed the administration of President Muluzi for permitting Muslims to take law into their hands. "Why did some Muslims think they had to take up arms on behalf of the five suspects who are not Malawian nationals, and on an issue that is not immediately religious?" queries a CCJP press release.