Muslims in Tanzania are unhappy about the passage of new
anti-terrorism legislation, which they say will be used to "oppress"
them.
Muslim protestors in the East African country recently held a service, praying
that all those involved in preparing and passing the law would experience
"bad things."
Religious leaders accused the U.S. of having a hand in the legislative move, a
claim denied by the U.S. embassy in Dar-es-Salaam.
Opposition parties walked out of parliament during the debate over the
Prevention of Terrorism Bill. Opposition members said state agencies, including
the police and the immigration department, might use it to curtail civil
liberties.
The Mosque Council of Tanzania warned President Benjamin Mkapa, who must
sign the bill for it to become law, that it would lead to unrest.
Participants in the prayer service were quoted as saying the sole purpose of
the law was "to intimidate and to oppress Muslims in Tanzania. [It] does
not aim to deal seriously with the terrorist issue."
Rajab Muhammad, a constitutional lawyer in Dar-es-Salaam, said there were
concerns that provisions of the bill could be used to suppress government
critics and give the authorities an avenue to interfere with the citizens'
rights.
"The main concern for the Muslims here is that their civil liberties are
threatened."
Muhammad said because relations between the Tanzanian state and radical Muslims
were uneasy, there were fears the bill could be used to quell any genuine
grievances Muslims may have.
However, he added, "It is a matter of perception by Muslims because the
provisions will also be applicable to people of other religions here."
The legislation empowers the state to use all necessary means to investigate
terror activities, and to confiscate property belonging to those found to be
supporting terrorism.
Anyone convicted under the law will face a prison sentence, without the option
of a fine.
It also gives police and immigration officials sweeping powers to arrest
suspected illegal immigrants or anyone thought to have links with terrorists.
It includes a requirement that aircraft and ships entering or leaving the
country provide detailed information on their passengers and cargo.
Home Affairs Minister Mohammed Seif Khatib said the law aimed to reassure
Tanzanians and the international community alike that his government was
serious in dealing with terrorism.
In 1998, al Qaeda terrorists bombed the U.S. embassies in Dar-es-Salaam, and in
Nairobi in neighboring Kenya, killing more than 200 people in total.
Since then, there have been isolated attacks and protests against Christian and
state facilities, especially in the predominantly Muslim island of Zanzibar.
Two years after embassy bombings, the U.S. agreed to help Tanzania strengthen
its capacity to act against financial crimes and terrorism, and FBI agents have
been training Tanzanian police in criminal investigation techniques.
Rising religious tensions have also made it necessary for the anti-terror
legislation, according to the government.
The latest State Department report on religious freedom worldwide said Islamic
fundamentalist groups were engaged in "increasingly confrontational
proselytizing" in parts of Tanzania.
There had also been an increase in reports of Muslim and Christian groups
vilifying adherents of the other faith.
About 30 percent of Tanzania's mainland population are Christians, 35 percent
are Muslims and the rest adhere to indigenous beliefs. Zanzibar, an island off
the Indian Ocean coast, has a 99 percent Muslim population.
Many Tanzanian Muslims complain that they are underrepresented in the civil
service and quasi-state institutions.
Radicals are also critical of secular Muslims who have married Christian women
or taken positions in the government, an institution the Islamists view as
"Christian."
The Tanzania high commission (embassy) in Nairobi refused to comment.