Tanzanian Association Oslo

Let’s heed our leaders’ plea

on religious intolerance

EDITORIAL 

DAR ES SALAAM 

RELIGIOUS intolerance in Tanzania is rearing its ugly head, causing concern among government and religious leaders. President Jakaya Kikwete has likened religious intolerance to dynamite posing a more serious danger to national security than tribalism. 

In a speech at a recent ceremony at Msimbazi Centre in Dar es Salaam to mark the 25th anniversary of the consecration of Polycarp Cardinal Pengo as a bishop, President Kikwete said that once a fire is started by religious dynamite it cannot be put out. 

We agree with him that once such a fire starts everybody will burn and there will be no winner in such a conflict. Religious conflict is capable of destabilizing the nation and its unity. 

So far Tanzanians are lucky in that we do not have serious religious intolerance. Christians and Moslems, members of two main religious groupings in Tanzania, co-exist in peace, school together and even intermarry. 

Christian boys and girls receive their education in Muslim schools just as Muslim boys and girls attend Christian schools, except in special schools like seminaries. 

Many of high-ranking government leaders are either Muslims or Christians and they carry out their duties without any religious conflicts. This state of affairs is a credit to Tanzanians. 

It is our fervent expectation that such a state of affairs will endure as long as possible for religious tolerance has made our nation an island of peace in Africa. 

Although President Kikwete said that tribalism was not a big problem in the country, all Tanzanians should be aware it could cause major social problems once it is left to flourish in the society. 

Tribalism can easily cause friction in the nation, promote nepotism in the labour market, seriously affecting the peaceful social fabric. We should learn from countries that tolerate tribalism. 

These countries do not have peace whether during presidential or civic elections. Good governance or peaceful co-existence is impossible in these countries. 

We have clashes of ethnic groups in a small area in Tanzania; in Mara Region to be specific. However, the Government is doing its best to bring peace in the region after declaring the area a special police zone. 

It is our hope that the special police zone in Mara will be effective so that fatal tribal clashes will cease as soon as possible, once and for all. 

It is our hope that all Tanzanians will heed our leaders’ plea that we should shun not only religious intolerance, but also tribalism in all their forms.