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Muslims in Tanzania Urged Not to Hold Planned Demonstration
The Tanzanian government has called on Muslims here not to hold a planned demonstration on Friday following violent clashes with police one week ago, local newspapers reported on Thursday.
Minister for Home Affairs Mohammed Khatib was quoted as saying on Wednesday that believers, both Muslims and Christians, should observe peace and harmony during religious assemblies and the government has the role to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevail.
When hundreds of Muslims defied a government ban and went to downtown streets to protest against the imprisonment of a colleague on the charge of defaming Jesus Christ, about 170 were arrested and nearly a dozen injured last Friday.
It was reported one day later that two offices of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) were bombed and tension is still mounting as Muslim zealots are threatening to invade more party buildings including police offices.
Khatib stressed: "Government recognizes the right of worship for every religion. But it does not recognize defamation of other religions by some believers."
"Those who took part in the demo contradicted the law. Police were privileged by the law to stop these demonstrators," the minister added.
He said last Friday's illegal demonstration was politically motivated, saying that what the Muslims were demanding had already been granted.
Khamis Dibagula, who had been sentenced by a local court to one year in jail for publicly defaming Jesus was released last Friday.
Most of the arrested protestors were released early this week. Yet 41 others are still detained by police, waiting for further trial.
The Muslims intend to hold another demonstration to press for the release of these people. However, so far they have not got a valid police permit.
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