TANZANIA: Joint Statement of the Extraordinary Meeting of The Tanzania Christian Forum
TANZANIA CHRISTIAN FORUM (TCF)
“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON
EARTH PEACE, TO PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL” (Lk.2:14).
EARTH PEACE, TO PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL” (Lk.2:14).
1.
Introduction
Introduction
The Tanzania
Christian Forum (TCF) is made up of the Union of major Christian Churches in
Tanzania and these are:-
Christian Forum (TCF) is made up of the Union of major Christian Churches in
Tanzania and these are:-
Christian Council
of Tanzania – CCT
of Tanzania – CCT
Tanzania
Episcopal Conference – TEC
Episcopal Conference – TEC
Pentecostal
Community of Tanzania – PCT
Community of Tanzania – PCT
Seventh Day
Adventists – SDA (observers)
Adventists – SDA (observers)
In its
extraordinary meeting which was convened at the Kurasini Training and
Conference Centre of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, in Dar es Salaam, on
the 8th of March, 2013; the members reflected in depth on the increasingly
deteriorating relations between the Christian and the Muslim religious
communities in Tanzania, resulting in the killing and attacks against religious
leaders; and the steps taken by the government against these atrocities done by
a few Muslims. Drawing from this situation the church evaluated its
responsibility, mission and prophetic voice to the nation concerning these
issues.
extraordinary meeting which was convened at the Kurasini Training and
Conference Centre of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, in Dar es Salaam, on
the 8th of March, 2013; the members reflected in depth on the increasingly
deteriorating relations between the Christian and the Muslim religious
communities in Tanzania, resulting in the killing and attacks against religious
leaders; and the steps taken by the government against these atrocities done by
a few Muslims. Drawing from this situation the church evaluated its
responsibility, mission and prophetic voice to the nation concerning these
issues.
2. The actual situation as seen from the point of view of
the church
the church
Historical and
circumstantial evidences show obviously that at present the church in Tanzania
is undergoing systematic persecution, like the other 10 periods of persecution
in the history of the church here on earth.
circumstantial evidences show obviously that at present the church in Tanzania
is undergoing systematic persecution, like the other 10 periods of persecution
in the history of the church here on earth.
Together with
this systematic persecution, we understand clearly that the perpetrators are a
small group of Tanzanian Muslims, like those in the other parts of Africa (eg
Boko Haram in Nigeria). Many Muslims are unhappy about these events. They also
look to the government to contain these few Muslims who are tarnishing the
Islamic religion and making all the other Muslims look like enemies of
Christianity, something which is not true. As a result of this situation, this
extraordinary meeting of the Tanzania Christian Forum evaluated the core issues
behind this situation which are the cause of conflicts and these include:-
this systematic persecution, we understand clearly that the perpetrators are a
small group of Tanzanian Muslims, like those in the other parts of Africa (eg
Boko Haram in Nigeria). Many Muslims are unhappy about these events. They also
look to the government to contain these few Muslims who are tarnishing the
Islamic religion and making all the other Muslims look like enemies of
Christianity, something which is not true. As a result of this situation, this
extraordinary meeting of the Tanzania Christian Forum evaluated the core issues
behind this situation which are the cause of conflicts and these include:-
2.1. The conflict as to who has the right to slaughter
animals for human consumption
animals for human consumption
Recently, we have
witnessed the conflict between Christians and Muslims as to who has the right
to slaughter animals which are sold for public consumption. What we know is
that the law in our country maintains there be measures to ensure the safety of
such meat for health reasons, but this law does not stipulate that only members
of a specific religion are supposed to slaughter such animals. Therefore the
church states the following:-
witnessed the conflict between Christians and Muslims as to who has the right
to slaughter animals which are sold for public consumption. What we know is
that the law in our country maintains there be measures to ensure the safety of
such meat for health reasons, but this law does not stipulate that only members
of a specific religion are supposed to slaughter such animals. Therefore the
church states the following:-
a) The argument
that only one religion has exclusive rights to slaughter animals for public
consumption under the guise of its faith is against the rights of the religious
freedom that is given to all citizen in the article 19 of the current
constitution.
that only one religion has exclusive rights to slaughter animals for public
consumption under the guise of its faith is against the rights of the religious
freedom that is given to all citizen in the article 19 of the current
constitution.
b) Since
slaughtering of birds and animals is a religious act for Muslims, the church
should recognise and respects that fact. However, besides this, Christians
should not be forced to eat meat that has been slaughtered by Muslims who tie on
it a religious belief. Given that the citizens of Tanzania are of different
religions, cultures and tribes, we call upon the government to earnestly state
overtly that each citizen has the freedom to follow his own faith on the issue
of slaughter.
slaughtering of birds and animals is a religious act for Muslims, the church
should recognise and respects that fact. However, besides this, Christians
should not be forced to eat meat that has been slaughtered by Muslims who tie on
it a religious belief. Given that the citizens of Tanzania are of different
religions, cultures and tribes, we call upon the government to earnestly state
overtly that each citizen has the freedom to follow his own faith on the issue
of slaughter.
c) Concerning
this issue, we find it difficult to understand the position of the president of
the United Republic of Tanzania and government leaders. At the time of the
second phase presidency, when the country was plunged into a conflict of the
presence of pork butchers in Dar es salaam, the then President Ali Hassan
Mwinyi, who is himself also a Muslim, defended the constitution of the country
as he had vowed to do and he strongly made it clear that everyone has the right
to eat whatever he/she chooses and no member of another religion should judge
him/her for what he/she eats. This clear stance of the former president
restored peace and tranquillity which was about to vanish. Why does our current
government hesitate to come out with a clear statement concerning this issue of
who has the right to slaughter?
this issue, we find it difficult to understand the position of the president of
the United Republic of Tanzania and government leaders. At the time of the
second phase presidency, when the country was plunged into a conflict of the
presence of pork butchers in Dar es salaam, the then President Ali Hassan
Mwinyi, who is himself also a Muslim, defended the constitution of the country
as he had vowed to do and he strongly made it clear that everyone has the right
to eat whatever he/she chooses and no member of another religion should judge
him/her for what he/she eats. This clear stance of the former president
restored peace and tranquillity which was about to vanish. Why does our current
government hesitate to come out with a clear statement concerning this issue of
who has the right to slaughter?
d) Therefore in
view of a-c above, Christians want the government to put in place different
slaughtering houses and butchers for Christians and Moslems so that every
Tanzanian can have the right to choose where to buy meat according to his
conscience. Parallel to that we are reminding all Christians in Tanzania that
they will not be breaking any law if they decide to slaughter their own animals
for consumption. Together with this announcement to all Christians, we would
like to remind the government and the judiciary to respect the constitution of
our country, especially the article 19 of the constitution.
view of a-c above, Christians want the government to put in place different
slaughtering houses and butchers for Christians and Moslems so that every
Tanzanian can have the right to choose where to buy meat according to his
conscience. Parallel to that we are reminding all Christians in Tanzania that
they will not be breaking any law if they decide to slaughter their own animals
for consumption. Together with this announcement to all Christians, we would
like to remind the government and the judiciary to respect the constitution of
our country, especially the article 19 of the constitution.
e) On the other
hand, because there are already products in this country that have the labelled
’halal’ and others which do not have
that label, it is a proof that the labelled food has been set aside according
to religious affiliation. Therefore, the issue of separating slaughtering
houses and butchers on religious ground will not be a new phenomenon in our country
at present.
hand, because there are already products in this country that have the labelled
’halal’ and others which do not have
that label, it is a proof that the labelled food has been set aside according
to religious affiliation. Therefore, the issue of separating slaughtering
houses and butchers on religious ground will not be a new phenomenon in our country
at present.
2.2. Burning churches accompanied by threats and the
killing of church leaders
killing of church leaders
The church
strongly condemns the continuing religious killings and the systematic
persecution of church leaders and Christians in general. The course of the past
events reveals to us that these events are an outcome of a long-term plan. On
the 15th of January 2011, a group of Muslims met at the Diamond
Jubilee Hall, among whom were sheikhs. They concluded their discussions by
issuing a statement against what they call “Christ System” which is purported
to govern our country.
strongly condemns the continuing religious killings and the systematic
persecution of church leaders and Christians in general. The course of the past
events reveals to us that these events are an outcome of a long-term plan. On
the 15th of January 2011, a group of Muslims met at the Diamond
Jubilee Hall, among whom were sheikhs. They concluded their discussions by
issuing a statement against what they call “Christ System” which is purported
to govern our country.
Although the
government and its security machinery have been receiving information
concerning threats against religious leaders, killings, burning of houses of
worship, and provocative language used by Muslims religious preachers,
brochures, CDs and media bodies owned by known institutions, to a large extent
the government has failed to take action at the right time, and it seems to
wait until atrocities occur, and only then to begin investigating the matter.
To our government the saying that “Prevention
is better than cure” has no meaning. This shows great weakness of our
government’s security system or else these bodies are happy about the
disappearance of peace in our country. This situation has caused the church to
believe that, the escalation of these events is an indication that the
government has a secret agenda against Christianity. Therefore, the Tanzanian
Christian Forum states the following:
government and its security machinery have been receiving information
concerning threats against religious leaders, killings, burning of houses of
worship, and provocative language used by Muslims religious preachers,
brochures, CDs and media bodies owned by known institutions, to a large extent
the government has failed to take action at the right time, and it seems to
wait until atrocities occur, and only then to begin investigating the matter.
To our government the saying that “Prevention
is better than cure” has no meaning. This shows great weakness of our
government’s security system or else these bodies are happy about the
disappearance of peace in our country. This situation has caused the church to
believe that, the escalation of these events is an indication that the
government has a secret agenda against Christianity. Therefore, the Tanzanian
Christian Forum states the following:
a) We recognise
that it is the responsibility of the government to treat its citizens equally
without discrimination according to article 12 and 13 of the Constitution of
the United Republic of Tanzania. Church leaders state that the government has
failed to respect the constitution concerning these rights of its citizen and
as a result Christians have lost faith in the government that is currently
leading the country, in so far as their safety and peace are concerned, as
stated in article 14 of the constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. If
the government feels that it cannot ensure the safety of its peoples’ lives and
property, and consequently leaving them to live in fear because of threats,
therefore according to the constitution of our country, there is no reason for
the current government to cling to power and lead the country.
that it is the responsibility of the government to treat its citizens equally
without discrimination according to article 12 and 13 of the Constitution of
the United Republic of Tanzania. Church leaders state that the government has
failed to respect the constitution concerning these rights of its citizen and
as a result Christians have lost faith in the government that is currently
leading the country, in so far as their safety and peace are concerned, as
stated in article 14 of the constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. If
the government feels that it cannot ensure the safety of its peoples’ lives and
property, and consequently leaving them to live in fear because of threats,
therefore according to the constitution of our country, there is no reason for
the current government to cling to power and lead the country.
b) Since the
right to protection is constitutional, the government should protect its
citizens. If the government has failed to protect its citizens, the Church
wants the government to admit this so that the Church can tell the citizen to
hold accountable the government as it has failed to fulfil its
responsibilities. The Tanzania Christian Forum states that: if the government
does not take deliberate steps against the issues identified above, the Church
will take the step of telling its faithful that the current government favours
one religion and therefore the Church will have to reconsider its relationship
with the Government.
right to protection is constitutional, the government should protect its
citizens. If the government has failed to protect its citizens, the Church
wants the government to admit this so that the Church can tell the citizen to
hold accountable the government as it has failed to fulfil its
responsibilities. The Tanzania Christian Forum states that: if the government
does not take deliberate steps against the issues identified above, the Church
will take the step of telling its faithful that the current government favours
one religion and therefore the Church will have to reconsider its relationship
with the Government.
3. Christians in Zanzibar
The lives of
Christians in Zanzibar are being threatened and their properties have been
damaged for a time now, to the extent that some of them are fleeing to Tanzania
mainland. The reason behind such persecution is religious and the union between
Tanganyika and Zanzibar. It seems that Tanzanians born in the mainland have no
right to live in the islands, while those from the isles have all rights in the
mainland. The church wants the government to assure all Christians living in
Zanzibar of their safety and that of their property, because that is their
constitutional right.
Christians in Zanzibar are being threatened and their properties have been
damaged for a time now, to the extent that some of them are fleeing to Tanzania
mainland. The reason behind such persecution is religious and the union between
Tanganyika and Zanzibar. It seems that Tanzanians born in the mainland have no
right to live in the islands, while those from the isles have all rights in the
mainland. The church wants the government to assure all Christians living in
Zanzibar of their safety and that of their property, because that is their
constitutional right.
4. The Threats and killing of Church Members
The government of the united republic of Tanzania
should take deliberate steps to contain the threats and killing of church
leaders and Christians as a whole. Otherwise the Church will declare to the
world that Tanzania is one of the countries that does not respect human rights,
as evidenced by religious marginalisation and systematic persecution of the
Church.
should take deliberate steps to contain the threats and killing of church
leaders and Christians as a whole. Otherwise the Church will declare to the
world that Tanzania is one of the countries that does not respect human rights,
as evidenced by religious marginalisation and systematic persecution of the
Church.
5. Use of Media
Because there are
some media houses that have allowed themselves to be used to slander Church
leaders, we are giving a chance for such media houses to apologize, otherwise
we will also announce to the world that they are also part of the source of the
conflict. We are also taking this opportunity to caution the various media
houses to carefully measure what is said by religious leaders who misuse their
media being used to make inflammatory statements, lest our country falls into
tragedies like those that took place in Rwanda in 1994.
some media houses that have allowed themselves to be used to slander Church
leaders, we are giving a chance for such media houses to apologize, otherwise
we will also announce to the world that they are also part of the source of the
conflict. We are also taking this opportunity to caution the various media
houses to carefully measure what is said by religious leaders who misuse their
media being used to make inflammatory statements, lest our country falls into
tragedies like those that took place in Rwanda in 1994.
6. Conclusion
The Church
continues to maintain that the best weapon for a Christian in these times is
prayer and fasting. Therefore, the Church invites all Christians in Tanzania to
join together in prayer and fasting for a period of 7 days. This praying and
fasting should be done before Easter; that is, as from 24th March
2013 to 30th March 2013.
continues to maintain that the best weapon for a Christian in these times is
prayer and fasting. Therefore, the Church invites all Christians in Tanzania to
join together in prayer and fasting for a period of 7 days. This praying and
fasting should be done before Easter; that is, as from 24th March
2013 to 30th March 2013.
On behalf of 177 bishops who attended
the extraordinary meeting of the Tanzania Christian Forum and made these
resolutions.
the extraordinary meeting of the Tanzania Christian Forum and made these
resolutions.
Bishop Peter Kitula – Chairman CCT
Bishop Tarcisius J. M. Ngalalekumtwa –
President TEC
President TEC
Bishop David Batezi – Chairman PCT
Dar es Salaam, 19. 03. 2013
