Religious preference on the meat processing, has, once again, caused the fracas between the Christian community on one hand and the Tanzania government on the other hand.
This happened on January 12, 2013 at Nyehunge village, Sengerema District in Mwanza region, 1154 km from Dar es Salaam, where, the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Evarist Ndikilo, accompaned by Police officers, banned Christians to slaughter animals for their food, and ordered that the whole process must be done by Muslims only. He further warned to take severe action to any Christian who would go against the order.His biased and unconstitutional order, made Christians angry and furious as a result, they left the meeting place and dispersed, leaving the RC with just few people.
RC Ndikilo, warned Christians that they should not dare slaughter animals, but must submit under the Islamic laws of slaughtering animals. Islamic laws demand that, an animal must face towards the Kaaba in Mecca, during slaughtering exercise, the direction towards which all Muslims worldwide face during prayers.
Earlier, the African Inland Church Pastor, asked the RC how Islamic tenets are forced into the Christian community, and inquired to know if the country is an Islamic state, to which the RC arrogantly replied: Dont you know!
The exercise, apart of undermining the Christian faith while promoting Islamic as superior, Non-Muslims are charged tsh.2000/- (US 1.24) per every single cow, and tsh.1000/- for each goat and sheep (US 60p), and chicken tsh.500/=.
About 3000 cows,1000 goats and sheep, and 3000 chickens are slaughterd every day countrywide. If you try to sum up and get the total income which is forced to generate the Islamic funds at the expences of other faith, you can understand the grievances of Christians who have been deprived the right of slaughtering animals in accordance with the Christianity tenets, but forced to submit under Islamic laws.
The Holy Quran permits Jews and Christians to slaughter animals which are lawful (Halal) to Muslims. The Noble Quran in Suratul The Table, 5:5 reads : "Made lawful to you this day are At-Tayyibat (all kinds of Halal (lawful) foods, which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, and fruits). The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them...)"
Many Pastors and other lay Christians have been remanded in different remands, accussed of slaughtering animals against the Islamic law.
All top leaders of Tanzania, both in the main land and Islands of Zanzibar, are Muslims.
The economic factor at meat processing, has made Christians face physical, spiritual and economic persecution from the government while defending Islamic laws and interest, contrary to the constitution which guarantees equal treatment to all beliefs.
The event was covered by both secular and religious media.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE:SOURCE OF FRACAS BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND GOVERNMENT IN TANZANIA
Posted by Unknown on 12:30 PM
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