On January 31 believers from different sects of the Muslim religion celebrated Idd el-Haj together peacefully. This was described in the Guardian as a rare landmark occasion in the Muslim experience in Tanzania.
In his remarks on the occasion of Idd prayers held at the Mnazi Mmoja grounds in Dar es Salaam, Sheikh Mussa Kileo, of the Union of Muslim Councils in Tanzania, said he hoped that Muslim believers would continue to celebrate the big day together. There was no reason to bring in differences. A popular Muslim cleric, Sheikh Issa Ponda, said that one Idd for all Muslims was a milestone for every believer in the country. “We are glad that our fellow believers in the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) have decided to re-join the Muslim world”.
Speaking later at the Idd Baraza organised by BAKWATA, Acting Chief Sheikh for the Dar es Salaam Region, Ali Ngeruka, appealed to the Government to endorse the establishment of the Chief Kadhi’s Office in the country. Sheikh Ngeruka made the appeal before the Vice President, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, who was the guest of honour. He said that Muslims in the country urgently needed the Office to help them solve their social problems.