The High Council of the Islamic Community in Rwanda has amended the act governing the office of the grand mufti, extending his mandate to seven years up from five.With the new amendments, Grand Mufti, Abdul Karim Gahutu who was elected last year will have the option of seeking another 7 year term in 2018. "The decision to extend the mandate of the faith’s leadership was based on the fact that members of the community want the activities of the Mufti’s office aligned to government programmes,” Gahutu told The New Times yesterday.Currently, most of the government programmes are set at a timeframe of seven years, including the mandate of the President.Gahutu and his leadership now have six more years in office with a mandate that can be renewed once.The amendments also scrapped some posts, including that of assistant Executive Secretary, a post that was initially occupied by Sheikh Sulaiman Mbarushimana who was later fired over ‘misconduct’ and ‘abuse of power.’Another post that was scrapped is that of the Secretary to the Mufti’s office.The council established new commissions including the social affairs commission and the advisory council.The controversial Islamic fund which led to the dismissal of several officials with in the Islamic leadership was also changed to a commission."The new structures eliminate any form of misunderstanding that would arise as it happened previously. Each commission has five members,” Gahutu explained.In a related development, new office bearers were also elected.Sheikh Jumatatu Nsengiyumva is the new deputy Mufti, replacing Sheikh Musa Sindayigaya who left office following a row.Nsengiyumva initially served as the vice president of the Rwanda association of Sheikhs and also charged with training at the Rwamagana Islamic Centre."There is much that has been done in the past one year since the current leadership was elected. My priority will be advising the Mufti on each and every aspect to ensure that we catch up with the last time,” said Nsengiyumva. In the recent past the Muslim community has been shaken by bitter power struggles that resulted in the dismissal and resignation of several top leaders.They were dismissed by the Supreme Council of Muslims, the highest decision-making organ of the local Islamic fraternity.Sheikh Gahutu replaced Sheikh Saleh Habimana, who served in the office since 2001.