Rooted in faith, built by community.
Muslims Initiative for Development (MID) is a non-governmental, apolitical, faith-based organisation established to spearhead the spiritual and socio-economic development of Malawi's Muslim community and, through it, the wider society around them.
Malawi's reform era, and the space it opened
Since 1994, the government of Malawi has implemented a number of policy reforms. The main objective of these reforms has been to achieve economic growth, reduce dependence on external balance-of-payment support, reduce inflation, improve social services and economic infrastructure, alleviate and ultimately eradicate poverty, and manage the ecosystem and natural resources sustainably.
These reforms have been implemented alongside equally significant political and social change.
NGO operations in Malawi
The growth of Non-Governmental Organisations associations and groups, including churches, independent of government or state bodies is a clear indicator of a landscape open to civil society's involvement across development, environment and human rights. MID was established within that landscape.
A partner to Muslim mother bodies, not a replacement for them
Muslim Initiatives for Development (MID) is a non-governmental, apolitical, faith-based organisation established to specifically spearhead the development of Muslims in their spiritual and socio-economic lives. Apart from empowering the Muslim community, the organisation also strives to advance other sectors of society through community mobilisation, advocacy, provision of skills development, and by providing resources aimed at adding value to people's development activities.
In executing its mandate, MID recognises the roles and work that Muslim mother bodies play in Malawi. However, MID also recognises the need to support and complement the work that government and the mother bodies do, by reaching out to as many Muslim members as possible. In that regard, MID reaches people in need and provides them with alternatives to help them realise their full potential using modern and innovative ways.
What we're working toward, and how
Our vision
MID envisages a Muslim community capable of meeting its needs through social and economic cohesion, in a society where members work together and are able to utilise their full potential in overcoming daily life's challenges.
Our mission
To achieve that vision, Muslims Initiative for Development takes a multi-sectoral and holistic approach to contribute towards empowering citizens and advocating for the uplifting of their wellbeing, in service of national development.
Our objectives
Muslims Initiative for Development aims at achieving the following key and interrelated objectives:
- To protect the life and dignity of people through the guidance of the Qur'an and the prophetic traditions, to promote the spirit of 'Ubuntu' and mutual dependence.
- To promote the spirit of self-help among Malawians in general, and Muslims in particular.
- To operate self-help projects, income-generating activities and other funded schemes for the benefit of rural and urban Muslim communities in Malawi.
- To uplift the living standards of Malawian Muslims and non-Muslims grappling with poverty and marginalisation.
- To carry out projects aimed at alleviating the suffering of vulnerable and needy communities providing needed support, eliminating stumbling blocks in people's endeavours, and promoting people's wellbeing on a self-help, non-profit basis.
- To carry out civic education on good citizenship, good governance, electoral processes, economic empowerment, socio-economic development and rule of law.
- To preserve and promote understanding of sustainable environmental management; to engage in programmes mitigating climate change, deforestation and environmental damage; and to promote reforestation, wildlife management and livestock rearing to uplift beneficiaries' living standards.
- To own and have interests in stocks, shares, investments, automobiles, property, estates, farms, buildings, offices, equipment, furniture, fittings, crops, livestock and other assets, in furtherance of the organisation's objectives.
- To co-operate with other organisations, agencies or individuals with similar aims and objectives.
Guided by the fundamental principles of Islam
MID adheres strictly to six values that shape how every programme is designed and delivered.
Equity
Belief in fair distribution of programmes, to ensure all targeted beneficiaries are reached and their lives positively impacted.
Integrity
Reliable and trusted by beneficiaries, partners and donors. MID uses local and international standards and systems to attain trust and acceptability.
Transparency & accountability
Accountable to Allah, target beneficiaries, donors and partners, both local and international. MID provides feedback to beneficiaries through conventional and non-conventional means, as this is key to building trust.
Professionalism
Strict adherence to terms of reference for every piece of work, separation of powers in the operational structure, and constant capacity development of employees.
Partnership & collaboration
Belief in partnerships with like-minded organisations to uplift the welfare of the people, without compromising the tenets of Islam.
Justice
Reasonableness, fairness, integrity and impartiality take precedence in every operation MID undertakes.
Local communities are best placed to solve local problems
MID has faith and trust in local communities as being best suited to solve local problems. It believes in strengthening local people as the best way to create lasting impact and resilience giving them the capacity to be heard and to respond to developments in every aspect of their lives, from influencing government decisions to earning a dignified living or sustainably using natural resources.
Theory of change
MID uses an integrated approach focused on the systematic changes needed to improve people's lives opening minds to think and reflect beyond the immediate good, in education, health, economic empowerment and social life. Four tenets inform that theory of change.
Accountability
Duty-bearers are accountable to right-holders. Development is carried out transparently, and people are empowered to follow how resources are used.
Inclusivity
People are part of every development activity in their areas building a sense of ownership that provides maximum care and support.
Responsiveness
Right-holders and duty-bearers respond positively to developments, with communities taking part, questioning and demanding accountability.
Institutional strengthening
Developmental institutions are deliberately strengthened, with systems of control kept operational to maximise resource use.
Five areas, working toward one vision
To achieve its vision, MID organises its work into five thematic areas each reinforcing the others.
Education
In Islam, education is fundamental. MID realises the need to prioritise the sector if meaningful strides are to be made in raising the welfare of the people. The goal in this thematic area is to strive for all citizens to access education, because it is a benchmark and key to driving the transformation of people's lives.
Focus areas in education include girl-child education, early child development (ECD), adult literacy and infrastructure development. Special interest is placed on advocating and providing resources and capacity development for the education of the deaf and blind. The organisation also puts effort into supporting both boys and girls to attain tertiary education.
Spiritually, MID provides capacity development initiatives to imams, sheikhs and daees through refresher trainings, mentorship, provision of support, and linking small Islamic groupings to partners for support and working relationships.
On early child development, MID provides training and support to ECD programmes for Muslim children through Masjid structures.
Economic & social empowerment
MID acknowledges that many Malawians are trapped in poverty, which significantly hinders their ability to reach their full potential. The goal of this thematic area is to ensure that Muslims and other Malawians, particularly those living in rural areas, have access to the necessities and resources that will help them achieve their goals.
To achieve this, MID conducts training in entrepreneurship and offers guidance for the formation of cooperatives, enabling communities to attain financial freedom. Special emphasis is placed on empowering women, who, in the context of Malawi, have been deprived in various aspects of life, including education and social and economic opportunities.
MID recognises that women play a crucial role in the success of society, bearing significant responsibility in shaping their communities. Focus areas aimed at supporting women include entrepreneurship, small-scale business training, skills development, and the provision of essential resources. Additionally, MID implements projects that address the social and economic aspects of people in general.
Integrated health
The goal of this thematic area is to ensure that all Malawians have access to appropriate health services and information. It is particularly important for all Malawians, especially the Muslim community, to gain access to essential health and social services. Efforts focus on raising awareness and providing support and training on health issues, particularly for individuals in rural areas who often face significant challenges.
MID conducts research to determine how the lives of Muslims are affected by the legal and policy framework governing the provision of health services in the country. The organisation also engages with issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, the protection of vulnerable children, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and sexual violence from an Islamic perspective.
Governance
At the heart of societal development is the availability of strong systems of control. A progressive nation can only be realised when there is the rule of law, order and proper ways of doing things. This thematic area ensures that MID advocates for the protection of people's lives, proper and fair distribution of resources, and the creation of an enabling environment where all citizens are able to share in resources, ensuring that proceeds from natural resources are put to optimal use for all Malawians.
Livelihoods
Supporting communities in becoming more economically self-sufficient and resilient against both natural and human-made shocks lays a strong foundation for people's wellbeing. By empowering individuals to uplift themselves without relying on external support, MID fosters sustainable development.
The goal is to improve the living standards of people in Malawi, particularly Muslims in rural and hard-to-reach areas, enabling them to achieve self-sufficiency.
Equipping people to lead their own change
Informed by the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah, MID's work focuses on empowering people. We believe in equipping individuals with the necessary tools to help them identify their problems, weaknesses and strengths, enabling them to take proactive steps to improve their living standards, combat injustices, and hold duty bearers accountable.
Strategically, MID has categorised the people we work with based on their strengths and the extent to which they are affected by societal issues.
Young people
When engaging the community, efforts are made to target mostly young people. This is the age range with the capacity to bring change, and the energy and strength required to change communities from within.
Women & people with disabilities
MID allows women and the marginalised to be part of the process. We recognise the skill and competency embedded in them, and the pivotal role they can play in changing our communities.
People in hard-to-reach areas
People in areas not accessible by roads, with tough terrain, are often denied development and access to information. MID desires to reach out to such people with vital programmes that can transform their lives.
How MID is governed
4.1 The Executive Board
The Executive Board consists of skilled professionals who guide the direction of MID. It is responsible for implementing MID's vision and mission through the Secretariat. The board is composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds, including human resources, finance, law, media, education, and industry, among others.
4.2 Secretariat
This is the engine of the organisation. The Secretariat is responsible for all operations of the organisation.
4.3 Regional & district offices
Currently, MID coordinates its activities from its head office. However, there are plans to extend its presence to the regional and district levels, to expand its reach to people and improve the quality of work delivery. The establishment of regional and district offices will be determined by the number and type of programmes being implemented in that area.
4.4 General Assembly / Annual meeting
This is where critical decisions which have a direct impact on the organisation are taken. It is the formal platform where positions, organisational policies, constitutional amendments and other equally important decisions are made and endorsed.
See this approach in action
From five thematic programme areas to a clear governance structure, here's how MID's vision becomes on-the-ground work.