JK - Tanzania is secular state

RAIS Jakaya Kikwete amelikataa ombi la Baraza Kuu la Waislamu Tanzania (BAKWATA) la kuitaka serikali iwarejeshee shule ambazo walikuwa wakizimiliki kabla ya kutaifishwa miaka michache baada ya uhuru.

 

Kikwete alitoa msimamo huo ambao alikiri kwamba unaweza ukawakera baadhi ya Waislamu wakati akihutubia kwenye Baraza Kuu la Iddi lililofanyika kitaifa katika Msikiti wa Gaddafi mjini Dodoma jana.

 

Badala yake, Rais Kikwete alizitaka taasisi za Kiislamu kuweka msisitizo katika kuzijenga shule mpya kwani maombi yao ya kutaka warejeshewe shule walizokuwa wakizimiliki yamekuja yakiwa yamechelewa.

 

“Kama hujaomba usimlaumu aliyeomba wala kumchukia aliyetoa lakini katika hili ndugu zangu mmechelewa. Nawashukuru katika risala yenu mmemalizia vizuri kwa kuomba lakini tangu mwaka 1992 mlikuwa mnanung’unika, wenzenu waliomba wakapewa,” alisema Rais Kikwete.

 

Alisema uamuzi wowote wa kuzirejesha shule za Waislamu leo unaweza ukasababisha mgogoro mzito kutokana na ukweli kwamba wakati wa utaifishwaji serikali ilichukua shule zilizokuwa zikimilikiwa na taasisi tofauti za kidini na watu wa rangi tofauti.

 

“Hilo la kutaka shule zenu zirejeshwe linaweza kutuingiza kwenye mgogoro usioweza kutatuliwa. Mmechelewa. Mchango pekee kwa serikali ni kuwataka mjenge vyuo na shule wala hatutazitaifisha badala yake tutaendelea kusaidiana.

 

“Najua maelezo haya hayapendezi sana, nadhani sababu hizi ni nzuri katika kujenga mustakabali mzuri wa nchi yetu, vinginevyo tutapata matatizo kweli,” alisema kwa msisitizo na kuongeza kuwa serikali inathamini mchango wa madhehebu mbalimbali ya dini.

 

Akifafanua, Rais Kikwete aliwalaumu Waislamu kwa kuwa mstari wa mbele kunung’unika kwamba wanaachwa nyuma katika masuala ya maendeleo kama yale ya elimu tangu mwaka 1992 pasipo kuchukua hatua zozote.

THE government on Wednesday reiterated that it is not aligned with any religion and called for unity among different spiritual sects in the country to enhance harmony.

 Addressing Muslims during an Idd el- Fitr Baraza in Dodoma, President Jakaya Kikwete said it was only through co-operation that religious institutions can effectively participate in national development and the country's peace and stability will be maintained.

 President Kikwete encouraged constant communication and advised religious leaders to revive the system of inter-faith contacts, a move that will help remove differences and place all denominations on equal footing.

 "When you always talk you will never fight and amicable decisions are always reached through discussions - this will also help ensure the best ways for you to conduct your religious duties," he explained.

 President Kikwete said he was troubled by religious leaders using their time to disparage other religions, noting that this will put the country's peace at stake.

 He said the country does not have a national religion where everyone must follow, noting that everyone is entitled to freedom of worship.

 "I am saying this from the bottom of my heart; the government has this stand because it acknowledges the position and importance of religions in contributing to the development of the country," he stressed.

 Under the 1992 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), President Kikwete said the government will extend assistance to religions that have requested for assistance.

 "Religious bodies have been in the fore front in assisting the government to bring development to the public, otherwise, some would have gone without education or health services," he noted.

 He urged Muslims to forward their requests, noting that his government was ready to work with them to ensure better living standards for the people.

 "If you have not forwarded your requests, do not blame the ones who have. Forward your requests and when you are denied, fight to get your rights," he stressed.

 The president also stressed that the Kadhi's court will be established and manned by Muslims themselves and will not be parallel to the normal judicial system.

Sources: Daily News & Tanzania Daima