ZANZIBAR: Catholic Church remains Steadfast despite the previous attacks by Religious Fundamentalists
The Catholic Church in the Zanzibar, a Muslim dominated Island which is part of the United Republic of Tanzania faced a serious challenge of religious intolerance in the year 2012 and 2013 when Christian clergy, churches and some Muslim leaders were targeted by religious extremists and attacked.
The first attack was on Christmas day of 2012, when Fr Ambrose Mkenda was seriously wounded in an armed attack. This was followed by the shooting of the parish priest OF St. John Cathedral on a Sunday in February 2013 as he headed for Eucharistic celebration in an outstation. He unfortunately died on the spot. Then in September the same year, another priest was attacked and burned by acid as he left cyber café, he however survived.
According to Zanzibar Bishop Rt. Rev. Augustine Ndeliakyama Shao, C.S.Sp., to date, the culprits who perpetuated the atrocities have never been brought to book by the authorities.
“Although Islam is the majority, any other religion must be tolerated. We are allowed by law and the constitution to worship and conduct our activities but we do so with caution, we know that we are the minority; we do the little we can where we find ourselves accepted.” Bishop Shao said in an interview with AMECEA Online News in Zanzibar.
The Bishop explained that such acts of religious intolerance had not been experienced in Zanzibar since the establishment of the Catholic Church in the Island more than 150 years ago.
“The Missionaries who founded Catholic Church in Zanzibar that is the Augustinians who were the first, followed by the Franciscan Friars and Holy Ghost Missionaries in that order established cordial relations with the sultan and they were given strict laws and strict rules not to convert Muslims to Christianity.” Bishop Shao explained that, they have been careful following in the footsteps of the missionaries not to convert Muslims as a way of maintaining peace in their families.
Bishop Shao explained that, the intolerance incidences witnessed in 2013/2013 were fuelled by some Arabs who brought the mentality that they had come to purify Islam. The mentality gradually developed prohibiting Muslims to mix with others.
“There was propaganda all over, in the radios, newspapers and TV, unfortunately the government at that time kept quiet for three years and the mentality spread in the society stirring hatred.”
The Bishop explained that currently they are trying to build indirect relationships through dialogue. “We are trying to let them know that non-matter how few we are, we are there and we have the rights because the constitution allows any Tanzania to join any religion and is free to go anywhere in the country, embrace and exercise any religion that he/she wants to associate with. Therefore, we feel secure because the Law and the Constitution protects us.”
∽End∽
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
