The
potential for religious violence between Muslims and Christians in Tanzania is
growing.
That’s the
warning from President Jakaya Kikwete ahead of a looming constitutional
referendum and national elections.
Much of the tension
is directly related to a proposed new constitution, which includes legislation that
would allow Tanzanian courts to recognize verdicts from Islamic 'Kadhi' courts.
The courts
would allow Muslims to enforce marriage, divorce, inheritance and family rights
in their communities.
Some
Christian leaders say the new law undermines Tanzania's secular state.
President
Kikwete, however, cautioned religious leaders against political meddling, which
could incite violence.
He stressed
the Kadhi courts would only adjudicate on Muslim issues and receive no state
funding.
Kikwete also
stressed the secular courts would remain superior to the Islamic courts.
Many Muslims
living along Tanzania's coast feel marginalized by the secular government, which
in turn provides fertile recruitment grounds for Islamist groups such as
Somalia's al Shabaab.
Last month,
the coastal town of Tanga was the scene of a fatal shootout between Islamic
extremists and police.
Information
ascertained from local sources in Tanga say authorities arrested 25 people in
connection with the Tanga attack, all of whom are allegedly locals from the
Tanga area.
Tanzania's
population of 45 million is split nearly evenly between Muslims and Christians.
