Jackbauer
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 28, 2010
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haya ndiyo majibu ya ubalozi wa marekani nchini kwa waislamu walioandamana kupinga video ya kumkashifu mtume
pia tujikumbushe kauli ya balozi wa marekani majuma kadhaa kabla ya mkasa huu.
A statement issued by the US Embassy states that: "Our Embassy in Dar es Salaam is proud to partner with leaders of all faiths. Mutual understanding, cultural and academic exchange programmes with Tanzania's interfaith community, including Islam, is one of the highest priorities of the US Embassy in Tanzania."
It further said that the US development assistance programmes allow the government to work jointly with religious, civic, and private sector leaders and support their efforts to bring a brighter future to all Tanzanians. For example, the US government, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation is supporting a major infrastructure project - a 100-megawatt underwater cable to improve power distribution to Zanzibar.
Through the US Agency for International Development's (USAID) malaria eradication the programme in Zanzibar has dramatically decreased the incidence of malaria on the Isles.The US President's Plan for Emergency AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) HIV/AIDS programmes has saved thousands of lives in Tanzania.
In addition, USAID's Feed the Future, a food security programme provides agricultural and economic assistance while improving the quality of life for all Tanzanians - of which the Muslim population comprises a significant portion.On people-to-people exchanges, the Embassy engages with Muslim youth at the Information Resource Centre, American Corners in Unguja, Pemba, and Mwanza, or through outreach programmes where it engages in open, honest dialogue.
Since 2002, the American people have invested $1,090,000 in grants to preserve and support Tanzania's cultural heritage, including the Kizimkazi and Micheweni mosques in Zanzibar and the Kilwa Kisiwani ruins through the World Monuments Fund. In addition, the American people have invested over $49 million in the Tanzania 21st Century Education Programme in Zanzibar and Mtwara.
The producer of the inflammatory film depicting negatively the prophet cannot be generalised to be representing the people of the US.I have, for instance, received several messages from Christian friends in the US, who have expressed deep sorrow over the offensive film.The American people who are exposed to Islam are always respectful of our religion. I remember an incident some years back while in Washington DC, a waitress at a restaurant served me pork.
Fortunately, a Christian who was in our company alerted me that it was pork. It was then that the manager came to apologise to us. It was obvious that the waitress, who served me was ignorant about Islam.It is a challenge therefore to all of us to reach out to the people of the world and teach them the true religion of Islam and how much our beloved prophet had accomplished his mission and left a legacy that led to the world civilization.
pia tujikumbushe kauli ya balozi wa marekani majuma kadhaa kabla ya mkasa huu.
On behalf of the American people, I would like to wish all Muslims in Tanzania a happy Eid el-Fitr. This celebration ends a month-long time of self-reflection and reminds us that the values of Islam – charity, community, cooperation, compassion – are values which we also hold dear as Americans and which have contributed so much to cultures around the world.
As U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, I greatly admire Tanzania's history of religious freedom, tolerance and interfaith dialogue at all levels. This tradition of mutual respect across all sectors of society is based on the core values of religious tolerance and good citizenship, and should be upheld and cultivated by all Tanzanians.
The United States and Tanzania both enjoy a rich religious and ethnic diversity. As U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, I have made outreach to interfaith communities one of my top priorities. I have been honored during my travels - from Unguja, Kilwa, Lindi, Arusha, Pemba and many other places in this majestic land - to visit mosques, Muslim religious leaders, students, and communities to expand our friendship and cooperation. I am especially proud to see how programs sponsored by the American people and implemented hand in hand with Tanzanians promote health, cultural preservation, and education, among others, to positively impact the lives of all people. In every community visited, Tanzanians have reciprocated our extended hand of friendship with theirs.
This spirit of cooperation is also exemplified by the commitment of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to strengthen our relations with Muslims around the world. As he said at the fourth Iftar he has hosted as president in the State Dining Room of the White House on August 10, "of all the freedoms we cherish as Americans, of all the rights that we hold sacred, foremost among them is freedom of religion, the right to worship as we choose." He underscored that Islam has always been part of our American family and millions of Muslim Americans have long contributed to the strength and character of our country, in all walks of life.
Many people are unaware that these ties go back even to the time of President Thomas Jefferson more than 200 years ago, who hosted the first Muslim ambassador to the United States, from Tunisia, for a sunset dinner because it was Ramadan - making it the first known Iftar at the White House.
Islam's immense contributions to the world and to Tanzania continue today. As Ramadan draws to a close, let us hold on to that spirit of community, so that all our children, regardless of where they were born or how they worship, can have the opportunity to become all that they are meant to be in the name of the Almighty, and in the furtherance of our common humanity. I certainly draw inspiration from the example set by millions of Tanzanians whose commitment to serve their nation and one another are sustained through their faith.
Eid Mubarak.
Alfonso E. Lenhardt is the Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania