Officials warn against Muslim demonstration

The government of Tanzania has directed that Muslims should not hold a planned demonstration in the capital, Dar es Salaam, on Friday, 31 August, without a permit for fear of causing a recurrence of the violent clashes that accompanied a demonstration on Friday 24 August. Minister for Home Affairs Mohammed Seif Khatib said the government recognised the right of worship for every religion but would not accept “defamation of other religions by some believers”, the Tanzanian ‘Guardian’ newspaper reported on Thursday. Khati warned that the protests, aiming to secure the release of 41 people facing charges of demonstrating illegally and rioting in the capital last week, were “a threat to peace”, AFP reported. “We are aware of calls being made by some imams urging Muslims to take to the streets. We are hereby calling peace-loving Tanzanians not to take part in these illegal marches,” Khatib said.

Over 170 people were arrested and 11 taken to hospital during violent demonstrations Dar es Salaam on 24 August when riot police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of mainly Islamic protesters demonstrating against the court conviction in Morogoro District of 28-year-old Khamis Rajab Dibagula for defaming Christianity. Khatib commended Christians for being patient on the issue of demonstrations, and Muslim leaders for telling their followers not to participate in last Friday’s demonstration. He said the demonstration had been politically motivated, pointing to the fact that the High Court had revised the sentence and freed Dibagula; and to targeting of CCM [the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party] offices and government vehicles.

The opposition Civic United Front (CUF) has denied any involvement in organising the demonstrations, party chairman Ibrahim Lipumba saying that he was aware that some people were making such a link but that it was not the case. Lipumba also attempted to allay fears that the tension that has arisen as a result of the clashes would hinder ongoing negotiations between CUF and the CCM on the political stalemate in Zanzibar, the ‘Guardian’ reported on Thursday. “These are different things and I don’t think the incidents will affect talks,” it quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, Tanzanian Assistant Deputy Police Commissioner warned that people were coming from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam to incite and strengthen the Muslim demonstration planned for Friday, but that the police were ready to use greater force than they did last week to face it down, the Kiswahili-language ‘Nipashe’ newspaper reported. Police spokesman Aden Mwamunyange told a press conference on Wednesday that many protestors had been paid to take part in last week’s demonstrations. “Several people, who were arrested, admitted to have received between Tsh 1,500 and Tsh 2,000 (about US $2) to participate in the demonstrations,” he stated.