Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has backtracked its early decision to sell ten cartons of the Islamic holy book, the Quran on Auction as advertised in Nation Publication Limited (NPL) newspaper.

In a statement released by MRA spokesperson and Director of Corporate Affairs Steve Kapoloma said the notice in the newspaper was aimed at identifying the person who imported the material and not necessarily to sell them.

“The Qurans are duty free hence they cannot be sold by MRA. The publication in the press was meant to create awareness of the existing Qurans which were abandoned by unknown importer at the airport,” reads in part the statement.

Kapoloma said that Qurans have since been donated to Muslims Association of Malawi.