By Bernard James, Dodoma
A sharp division emerged in Parliament between Christian and Muslim MPs over the establishment of Islamic courts in the country as legislators debated the budget estimates for the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
While Christians MPs described any attempt to set up the special courts as unconstitutional and threat to peace, Muslim MPs insisted that the courts must be established since they were part and parcel of the Islamic faith.
They said since the matter was also stipulated in the 2005 CCM election manifesto the pledge can't be blocked now.
The fierce and emotional debate over the courts proposal comes a day after Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mathias Chikawe tabled budget estimates for 2008/09 for his ministry. He told the House that the Law Reform Commission ( LRC) which was tasked to collect views on the establishment of the court has already submitted its report.
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