The Dar es Salaam Guardian wrote a strong editorial. Extracts:

‘We strongly condemn any violence linked to religion because it does not bode well for the attributes of peace, unity and tolerance our nation has been promoting and protecting since birth. We believe that violence is never a means to correct a wrong or achieve religious harmony, where other remedies haven’t been exhausted. We say this bearing in mind the adverse consequences it has caused to millions of innocent people across the world….

Religious communities are meant to live and teach forgiveness, love, peace and tolerance as their holy books command them. Where misunderstandings arise they should engage in interfaith dialogue…. We are witnessing some newspapers and religious radios and tabloids that prompt religious conflicts in the country. The latter, instead of teaching their listeners and readers religious or moral values, have been busy instigating hatred and discontent under the pretext of freedom of expression and opinion.

But what surprises us most is to see that the responsible authorities are just silent even where they should have acted.

We suggest the following:

Religious communities should refrain from insulting believers of other faiths or using their scriptures inappropriately. Doing this does not add any value to their belief system or salvation. It only shows the ignorance or prejudices they have against their counterparts. Responsible authorities should warn politicians and clerics, who manifestly instigate religious hatred or discontent. It should also warn or deregister radios or religious tabloids that spread religious hatred.’

Catholic bishop warns CCM government on divisive propaganda
The Catholic Arch-Bishop of Mwanza, Jude Thaddeus Ruwa’iich has accused the CCM government of conducting a smear campaign by associating the Catholic Church with the opposition party Chadema. The Bishop, who is also the President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), was speaking ahead of an Episcopal consecration service for the new Dodoma Archbishop. He said some CCM cadres had been openly associating the Church with former Chadema presidential candidate, Dr. Wilbroad Slaa. “We don’t promote religious divisions; and we have never done so before,” said Ruwaich. “Our goal has always been the pursuit for truth. We challenge bad decisions and ask questions whenever things aren’t being run well – Mwananchi.

Cardinal Pengo says Chadema poses no threat
Following claims by some CCM leaders that big political rallies being organised around the country by Chadema are a threat to peace, Catholic leader Cardinal Polycarp Pengo said that he sees no such threat. Instead, he advised the government to look into the root cause of people’s complaints over the high cost of living. “The government should not act on comments from individuals who interpreted Chadema’s public rallies as instigating violence. It should carefully examine the situation and come up with amicable solutions,” he said – Mwananchi.

Mufti accuses Chadema of breach of the peace
The Chief Sheikh of Tanzania, Mufti Shaaban bin-Simba, has expressed concern over an emergence of what he referred to as religiously motivated politicians who incite breaches of the peace. The Mufti pointed out that the Chadema rallies are calculated at weakening President Jakaya Kikwete. “We have been quiet for sometime, but we should openly fight against allegations that the current government is illegitimate simply because the president is a Muslim. If some people want to bring about demonstrations that are characterised by violence – like what is happening in some other African countries where there are gunshots everywhere – then such people are very dangerous,” he said.

President Museveni said that Tanzania was the only peaceful country in the whole of East Africa, thanks to the good foundations laid by Mwalimu Nyerere. He pointed out that good people would always be judged by their deeds and not words, giving as an example a reference to the injured person who was helped by a Good Samaritan after a priest and a Pharisee passed him without offering any help.

The Association of Imams in Zanzibar (JUMAZA), with 18 other Muslim organisations, called upon people to vote ‘yes’ in the Zanzibar referendum on a government of national unity. It was the only way in which the people of the Isles could get rid of the political animosity that had been dogging the islands for decades – Nipashe.

Following news that a conference organised by the American Political Science Association (APSA) might be held at Dar es Salaam University, and that gay people would be attending, several Muslim clerics were quoted as saying that this would be tantamount to provoking disorder. They said that the people would not sit quiet while their country was turned into a ‘centre of debauchery’. “If this protest is ignored we shall stop them physically” they said – An-Nuur.

The Association of Imams in Zanzibar (JUMAZA) has called upon Muslims to protest at the Child Act 2010, as it contradicts the Islamic Sheria. JUMAZA Secretary General Maalim Zubeir issued a statement saying that the Act would not be applicable as it was contrary to the ‘customs and traditions’ of Muslims in the Isles. For example, he said, “The Act criminalises corporal punishment while in Islam it is allowed as long as it doesn’t cause physical injury to the child. Caning a child is allowed when he/she refuses to pray” – An-Nuur.

Evangelicals advance
With an increase of about 670,000 (14.5%) new members last year, it has been claimed that Tanzania now has the second largest (after Sweden) Lutheran Church congregation in the world. Tanzania’s record increase brings its membership to a total of 5,300,000.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC) of Tanzania, which is affiliated to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), also holds the top position in Africa. Worldwide the Church has an estimated 70 million adherents. Even though all the Lutheran churches in Africa were shown as having recorded high growth rates, Tanzania had the strongest showing.

In recent years mainstream churches have been showing alarm at the high rate at which they have been losing members to mushrooming evangelical sects. The Catholic Church, with a membership of 9.5 million members or about 25% of the total population in Tanzania, remains the largest Christian group in the country – The Citizen.

Praying for a coalition
The Society for Islamic Propagation (UAMSHO) has been arranging services to pray for a coalition government in Zanzibar. Head of the society Sheikh Azan said that the aim was to pray for the success of the ‘rapprochement’ between President Amani Karume and CUF Secretary General Seif Sharif Hamad and for the formation of a coalition government – Nipashe.

The Government advised Muslim leaders against issuing a document similar to the controversial Catholic booklet so as to create disharmony in the country. But they went ahead and launched their 45-page document called ‘Mwongozo’ at a rally attended by thousands at the Mnazi Mmoja grounds in Dar es Salaam. They that it was ‘intended to guide followers on important social and political issues ahead of the elections’ It traces the role played by Muslims in the struggle against British colonialism and describes what it perceives as discrimination against Muslims in the post-Independence period. Muslims are now asked to vote for leaders who are going to ‘defend their rights’ (from Habari Leo and many other papers).
President Kikwete said his entire government was unhappy with the religious manifestos. “We would not like to go into the elections next year with people voting by following instructions from their clerics,” he said.

Muslims tear down billboards
Muslims in Morogoro took to the streets in Morogoro uprooting billboards and posters promoting disco and musical programmes for the Idd festival. They told reporters that they objected to Muslim festivals being used to promote ‘forbidden practices’. One said “For us Idd entails prayers and not debauchery” – Majira.

The Roman Catholic Church
This Church published an 18-page booklet entitled ‘Mpango wa Kichungaji Kuhamasisha Jamii Kuelekea Uchaguzi’ (A Pastoral Project to Sensitise People Towards the Elections) authored by the Catholic Professionals of Tanzania and the Tanzania Episcopal Conference’s Justice and Peace Commission which has caused great controversy. The aim was said to be to help their believers to be better informed on political issues and on how to question prospective holders of political office before the 2010 general elections. The document said that the country was experiencing ‘serious leadership problems’ and called on all Catholics to participate in the forthcoming elections to choose good leaders. The aim was to sensitise the people… to take action in rectifying bad things and strengthening good ones. The sensitisation project started in January 2009 and has 15 phases.

Veteran CCM MP Kingunge Ngombale-Mwiru speaking in the National Assembly urged the Church to withdraw the document which was ‘divisive’, could spark ‘unnecessary chaos’ and was against the principles of unity. “I was surprised to see the document,” he said, “because, during the era of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Nyerere and TANU, all leaders were united…. This time it is the Catholic Church, next probably the Evangelical Lutheran Church will come with its own statement and so will the Anglicans and the Muslims,” he said. The MP warned that the move was a threat to religious tolerance and could influence people to choose national leaders on religious grounds.

A senior state official told Raia Mwema that they were concerned about the letter, circulated to all parishes, which had poked holes in government and CCM policies. A young CCM leader, Nape Nnauye, told a rally in Dar that the Church had called upon Tanzanians not to elect corrupt leaders. “Anyone against the manifesto is playing into the hands of the corrupt” he said. CCM Secretary General Makamba said Ngombale was expressing his personal opinion and did not represent the party. House Speaker Sitta and CCM Party Vice-Chairman Msekwa also said they saw nothing wrong in the pastoral letter as it did not go against the law or constitution – Majira

The Church hit back at the wave of criticism. President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Archbishop Jude Ruwaichi, said that critics should not comment on the circular which they had not thoroughly read nor understood. Such people were viewing the letter with the background of the forthcoming elections “Our intention is to empower the voters to understand the value of their vote and how they can identify capable leaders.”

Prime Minister Pinda, speaking in parliament, distanced himself from showing whether the government supported the church initiative or not. He said the church should not ignore what the public were debating about its circular. He warned over the possibility of other religious institutions coming up with their own circulars to sensitise their worshipers on civic education. “I have not seen such a circular during the last two elections. Why now?” he asked.
However, he expressed his optimism that the controversy would not culminate in a deterioration of the political atmosphere.

The Muslim Council (BAKWATA) then entered the fray. The churches should not try and install their preferred political leaders by influencing the elections next year, because that would be unconstitutional. It would be wrong for them to establish the qualities of leaders to be elected, as it was not their job to do so said Mwanza Regional Secretary Mohammed Said Balla. He said that since January this year Christian clerics had been holding seminars telling worshippers whom to elect – Mtanzania.

Sharia Courts
Following the government’s decision not to allow Sharia courts in Tanzania, BAKWATA called upon Muslims all over the country to boycott CCM candidates in the forthcoming presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. The Chief Sheikh, Mufti Issa Simba, said it was obvious that the government was succumbing to pressure from Christian clerics. Muslims had been demanding a Sharia court for 20 years but all they got was empty promises. Several sheikhs supported the Mufti and one criticised Muslim MP’s who were ‘tight-lipped on the matter.’ Answering an MP in the National Assembly who asked why CCM had “cheated” the people by promising a Sharia court in its manifesto, Prime Minister Pinda called upon people to be patient. Since the issue was sensitive, government had to be careful. Speaker Samuel Sitta intervened to state that the manifesto had not promised a Sharia court but only said it would ‘look into the possibility’ – Mwananchi.

On July 9 a panel of ten Muslim clerics from several mainland regions gave the PM two weeks to declare when a Sharia court would be established. They warned if this was not done they would launch a country-wide campaign to convince Muslims not to vote for CCM. Mufti Shaaban Issa Simba appointed a special committee to pursue the matter, and called upon Muslims to stay calm.
At a meeting of 1,000 Muslims it was stated that they were more capable than BAKWATA to mobilise the Muslim masses. The meeting donated Shs 1.8 million to start the campaign. Several MPs said a Sharia court would ensure that women got their rights. Mgeni Kadida MP (Special Seats – CUF) said she couldn’t understand why the government was against the Court while it existed in places such as Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar which were multi-cultural and multi-faith societies. Defending the Court, she said: “Under a Sharia Court a widow would have the right to live in her husband’s house until she completed the four-month mourning period.” With a Sharia Court no one would dare throw her out she said – Majira.

Six Muslim organisations including Bakwata, the Istiqaama Community, the Dar es Salaam Islamic Club, the Ishnasheri Community and the Muslim Professional Organisation TAMPRO decided to hold a whole-night prayer session calling for a Sharia court. A protest march was planned in support of a statement by some 300 imams from various mosques who had met in Kariakoo. Former Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Juma Ngasongwa said it was a mistake for government to delay its decision on the Sharia court when the election was just around the corner. The matter had been discussed for 20 years and this had led to the present conflict with Muslims. The Sharia court had existed under colonial rule but then the government had dissolved it –Majira

Muslim political party introduced at mosque
Representatives of a new political party based in the Middle East, Hizb ut-Tahrir, arrived in Tanzania while the religious debate was continuing. It was introduced at a well-attended international colloquium at a mosque in Dar es Salaam. A representative from Mombassa told reporters that his party did not need to be registered because it “followed the teachings of the Koran.” He said that the party, founded in Al Quds (Palestine) in 1953, aimed at Islamic rule (Khilafah) in Muslim majority countries, while in countries such as Tanzania the aim was to “awaken Muslims through intellectual discourse” – Mtanzania.

Gays appeal to the UN
Gay rights activists in the country have complained to the UN Human Rights Commission, claiming that their rights are being trampled on in Tanzania, contrary to the country’s constitution. They want the Penal Code to be amended. But, according to Mwananchi, they were facing strong admonition from religious bodies which considered gay rights to be against religious teachings and moral values. Auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Dar es Salaam Methodius Kilaini said: “If they were disabled then we would understand, but what they want is unacceptable. God has created two sexes and that is how it will remain.”

Tips for managing domestic arguments and ensuring a happy sex life are just some of the bits of wisdom passed on at kitchen parties. No subject is taboo as the guests prepare brides-to-be for life as a wife….

Scores of elegantly attired female guests attended a recent kitchen party for a 25-year-old banker where the only men were the cameramen and disc-jockey. Gifts, mainly domestic utensils and kitchen equipment, were piled on an elevated platform where the bride-to-be patiently awaited her lesson. A procession of relatives and friends, each with years of marriage experience, took their turns on the microphone.

“If he comes home late, ask the house-girl [domestic worker] to open the door to show him you’re upset,” one elder suggested. “You are the one to wash the bed sheets clean and white,” another guest reminded her.

“The training at kitchen parties is geared toward making the bride so subservient, so docile and quiet. It gives women all the responsibility to make the marriage work,” said Charles Kayoka, of the Association of Journalists against AIDS in Tanzania, a group advocating greater male involvement in HIV prevention. “The intention is not bad – to make the marriage home peaceful and harmonious – but the outcome can be dangerous.”

Salama Jumanne, 37, a Tanzanian mother living with HIV, commented: “At kitchen parties you are able to learn about your husband’s expectations, which may help to make the marriage survive for a short period of time. But, really, what you are learning is how to think of your husband’s needs above yours.”

Women rarely control the timing and frequency of sexual intercourse in marriage; many African women experience sexual violence and coercion. The inability to negotiate safe sex, especially in a society where concurrent partnerships are common, places married women at greater risk of contracting HIV.

Prisca Rwezahura-Holmes, marketing director of Tanzania Marketing and Communication, a social marketing company, said change might be slow but it was happening. “Kitchen parties are candid; it’s a rare chance to reach out and share other women’s marital experience. They originally had … [the approach], ‘please your man sexually and do what’s necessary to keep him in the house’, but I think that’s changing.” Some NGOs have started distributing traditional wraps, called khangas, at kitchen parties, printed with HIV and reproductive health messages to encourage discussion on these topics.

“Kitchen parties are becoming more sophisticated and willing to push the sexual agenda,” Rwezahura-Holmes said. In Tanzania’s largely conservative society, matters of sex and relationships are difficult to discuss at home, whereas at kitchen parties there are no attempts to censor the conversation for sexual explicitness.

Something of a hornets nest was stirred up by Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Membe when he dared to intervene in a Muslim-Christian dispute.

The Muslim people of Zanzibar have been pressing for years for Tanzania (or, at least Zanzibar by itself) to join the Organisation of the Muslim Conference (OIC). The Minister hinted that there might be some economic advantages in joining, even though Tanzania was a secular country. (For background see TA No 89).

The debate then escalated. On October 24 the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) called for the Minister’s resignation. His proposal would violate the country`s constitution. CCT Deputy Chairman Bishop Peter Kitula said section 19 (2) of the Union Constitution spelt out that Tanzania was a secular state and that religious issues were separated from all duties of running the country. He said the section was completely against the OIC charter (revised in March 2008) whose Section 1 (11) states: `to amend, promote, and preserve Islamic teachings and values based on modernisation and tolerance, promote Islamic culture and safeguard Islamic heritage. “We do not want religiosity here and we are not talking of any particular religion but there are people who have a hidden agenda while knowing that our constitution does not allow that.” he said.

Chairman of the CCT, Archbishop Donald Mtetemelwa, speaking on behalf of some 64 bishops belonging to the protestant churches, said that Membe was dividing the nation by pushing for membership. Bishop Stephen Munga: “We are here to defend our constitution. There is nobody, even the President, who has the authority to break the constitution. I am surprised by Membe’s move” he said.

Back tracking hastily, Minister Membe said that the government would seek the peoples’ consent before deciding whether Tanzania should join or not. It was considering two options: – registering for full membership or joining the body but agreeing only on issues of benefit to the country and its people.

On November 1 six Islamic organisations registered under the ‘Supreme Council for Islamic Institutions and Organisations’ warned the govern- ment against succumbing to pressure from Christian ministers. They said the IOC had no religious agenda and its mission was ‘development of the people regardless of their religious or political affiliation.’ Then President Kikwete stepped in and made what was described as a passionate appeal to the people to give the Ministry of Foreign Affairs time to deal with the matter. He said “The government has not made any decisions yet” – Mwananchi and many other Swahili newspapers.

Strikes and demonstrations

Several religious leaders have said that the wave of strikes, demonstrations, criminal violence and rows within the leadership of the country showed that all was not well. Talking to the press, they cautioned that remedial action had to be taken by the government since it was the result of failed promises. Auxiliary Archbishop of Dar es Salaam Methodius Kilaini, said that if this was not done things might get worse. He was supported by the Secretary General of the Muslim Council (BAKWATA) Sheikh Ramadhani Sanze who said the government must be ‘legally and politically’ answerable to the people. He also advised President Kikwete to reduce his foreign trips, especially to the USA, arguing that the country was not a genuine ally of Tanzania. A similar statement was given by Archbishop of the Lutheran Evangelical Church, Dr Benson Bagonza, who called upon state leaders to serve the state and stop ‘politicking and campaigning’ – Raia Mwema and other Swahili newspapers.

Plates of food

According to Nipashe, police in Zanzibar South region stormed a house belonging to a lady food vendor and confiscated plates of food from people, including casual construction workers, who were having lunch. After entering the house police put all customers under arrest and told them to surrender their rice plates. One of the workers said even those who had finished eating had their empty plates taken as ‘evidence’. Restaurants in the Isles are usually closed in the afternoons of Ramadhan. People not fasting are required to eat ‘secretively’ so that those fasting are not inconvenienced.

Tanzania

Bishop Godfrey Mdimi Mhogolo

As I entered the room where the Britain-Tanzania Society was entertaining to lunch a dozen Tanzanian bishops attending the conference, I was immediately approached by Bishop Godfrey Mdimi Mhogolo of the Diocese of Central Tanzania. He wanted to speak to me about errors in the article ‘Avoiding Schism in the Haven of Peace’ in Tanzanian Affairs No. 87. I was equally keen to meet him, as the article had given the impression that he was probably not as hostile to homosexuality in the church as many of his fellow Tanzanian bishops and I wanted to find out where he was on this controversial issue.

The article had said that Bishop Mhogolo had been barred from conducting mass in the cathedral in Dodoma because of some of his views on homosexuality but, he said that, in fact, the friction in his church had been fomented by a former leader of the church whom the Bishop had charged with embezzlement. This had created antagonism, but the person concerned had subsequently been found guilty and was deposed after three years of court proceedings from the Diocese to the House of Bishops.

Bishop Mhogolo did not go along with the claim by some African heads of state that homosexuality did not exist in their countries. He said that homosexuality was a big concern in Tanzania because it was found in prisons and boarding schools and it was even possible to find boy prostitutes on certain streets in Dar es Salaam. He was very concerned about the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country and talked about all the other challenges (beyond homosexuality) which Tanzania faced. He pointed out that, of the two weeks in Canterbury, only two days were being given by the bishops for discussions on the homosexuality issue. There were many other concerns that the Bishops deliberated on to better equip them for mission and ministry. He went on to say however that the homosexual issue deserved much more debate than it had had during the last thirty years in Tanzania compared with the wide ranging discussions that had taken place in America.

He then brought in a new angle by saying that the issue should be treated like polygamy.
I asked if the Bishop thought that in 20 years time in Tanzania homosexuals would still not be able to take up positions in church leadership. He said that it was unlikely that there would be a change. In any case, nothing could be done at present to change the situation as homosexuality was illegal in Tanzania.

I then met Bishop Charles Kija of Shinyanga and asked him whether he was a traditionalist on the homosexual issue or a liberal. His response was immediate and effective. He said “I came here” meaning that, unlike a number of Ugandan and Nigerian bishops, who were boycotting the conference largely on the homosexual issue, he was prepared to talk about it. “This boycott does not help to solve the problem. It is better to talk” the Bishop said. He went on to say that homosexuality was not biblical and was not good and was something that was learnt.

I referred to the question of polygamy and he said that in Nassa, in the Lake region, polygamists had set up their own denomination (Batolamhali in Kisukuma) as long ago as 1952. The Bishop felt that homosexuals should set up their own church.

What next?
Discussion about homosexuality in the Anglican Church seems likely to continue as the British media retains its intense interest in the subject. On August 4th the Guardian’s front page headline read ‘Archbishop blames liberals for church rift – consecration of gay clergy must stop to end Anglican crisis says Williams’. The Archbishop was said to have blamed liberal North American churches for causing turmoil in the Anglican Communion by blessing same-sex unions and consecrating gay clergy as he attempted to chart a way out of the crisis. “If North American churches do not accept the need for moratoria on same-sex blessings and the consecration of gay clergy we are no further forward. We continue to be in grave peril” the Archbishop was quoted as saying.

Three days later the main front page article in the Times was headed: ‘Archbishop believes gay sex is as good as marriage – Williams’s letter supports “loving relationships.”’ Extracts: ‘The Archbishop believes that gay partnerships pose the same ethical questions as those between men and women. In a letter written eight years ago he had said that scriptural prohibitions were addressed to heterosexuals looking for sexual variety. “An active sexual relationship between two people of the same sex might therefore reflect the love of God in a way comparable to marriage if, and only if, it had about it the same character of absolute covenanted faithfulness”. He added however that as a church leader he had to take account of the traditionalist view.

In its final coverage of the conference the Times wrote: ‘The Archbishop of Canterbury raised hopes that he could hold the Anglican Communion together as the Lambeth Conference ended without schisms or open rebellion. He told Anglican bishops that the ‘pieces are on the board’ to resolve the wrangling over homosexuality. He advocated the concept of a global church of interdependent communities but conceded that there was much work to be done before Anglican difficulties over gays were over’ – Editor.

Tanzania is not a member of the OIC although in 1992 Zanzibar caused something of a stir when it joined unilaterally without apparently consulting the Union Government of Tanzania. However, its membership lasted only one year because the OIC, under its rules can only accept as members fully sovereign states. The Government of Tanzania had strong reservations about Zanzibar’s action as it believed that it was not in the best interests of the country to join an organisation representing only one of Tanzania’s religions.

This sensitive issue has been discussed from time to time over the last few years with Zanzibar apparently still keen to join.

The President and First Lady meet with Pope Benedict XVI – photo Issah Michuzi

Pope Benedict XVI has promised to visit Tanzania after receiving an invitation from President Kikwete, who met the Pope at the Holy See in October. The Pope commended Tanzania for upholding tolerance and religious harmony. “Tanzania is among the most peaceful countries in the world – it does not deny sleep to the Vatican” he said – Guardian.

A prominent British Muslim journalist, who converted to the faith, Yvonne Ridley, has said that there was no such a thing as moderate Islam. While in the country as a guest of the Muslim University of Morogoro, she said someone can either be pregnant or not and, “simi- larly, one is either a Muslim or not”. Addressing packed crowds in Dar es Salaam and at the university she said what is called the war against terrorism led by the USA and UK is actually a war against Islam and Muslims. “One propaganda aspect of this is the terminologies used such as ‘radical’ and ‘moderate’ Muslims”. As soon as she finished talking women climbed the rostrum and hugged her – An-Nuur.

President Jakaya Kikwete has disassociated himself and the Government from the ongoing controversy as to whether or not Tanzania should have a Kadhi Court. The President made the remarks in Dar es Salaam at a ceremony to consecrate Archbishop Dr Alex Malasusa as new Head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT). The President made it clear that although the establishment of a Kadhi Court was inserted in CCM’s Manifesto when he was running for the presidency in 2005, he was not involved in that decision. He urged Tanzanians to be patient because the matter had been taken to the Law Reform Commission for advice – HabariLeo.

The office of the Mufti of Zanzibar has banned four Muslim preachers from the Mainland, saying their teachings were offensive to other religions – Mtanzania