Elections 2010 Beware, slow poison of religious bigotry is entering into Tanzania’s body politic!

[Invisible]

By JENERALI ULIMWENGU
October 10, 2010

Murphy’s law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

All of a sudden, it seems there are now just too many things that can go wrong in Tanzanian politics and, what is worse, that they are very likely to do so.

It may be that the electoral heat is on and that the temperature is rising exponentially, so much so that people who would normally pass for rational individuals have mothballed their brains and are running on intellectual autopilot.

It could be a bad case of political hooliganism promoted by the most backward elements among us.

It could also be simple, old-fashioned panic, the unthinking funk that sends people shivering when they are faced with a situation they did not anticipate.

Anyway, someone somewhere seems determined to go to extremes to get their way, by fair means or foul.

Let’s take the bogey of religion and the accusations that have been hurled at some of the political organisations, giving them this or that religious or denominational label.

Political formations around the world have been known to have confessional leanings, and some have been forthright with it.

There can be no argument as to the identity of anybody who calls themselves Christian Democrat or Hezbollah, or India’s Hindu “nationalist” Bharatiya Janata Party.

There is obviously nothing wrong with them being what they are, although the ugliness of what happened in Ayodhya in India (the destruction of an ancient mosque by Hindu zealots) would tend to suggest that all is not well when whole populations are shanghaied into religious fanaticism to serve shameless political agendas.

Religion has never been based on rationality — ask Copernicus or Galileo — and that is why it is always accompanied by cocksure intolerance wherein whoever does not agree with your particular brand of opiate is, of course, destined to be consumed by Giga-centigrade hellfire. It is a matter best left to the believer.

When religious bigotry worms its way into the bosom of the body politic, it develops an unbelievable capacity to engender emotions that will destroy whole communities and sunder whole societies, as we have witnessed in Nigeria only recently.

So why are elements in Tanzanian politics bent on sneaking this thing into the centre of political discourse every time there is an election?

Time was when it was about Ibrahim Lipumba and CUF being a Muslim plot.

Well, seeing as CUF originates from Zanzibar, it surely can have no shortage of Muslim supporters.

Now it is about Willbrod Slaa and Chadema being a Catholic conspiracy.

Well, the only time I’ve heard a Catholic cleric say something politically incorrect — and pretty daft as well — he was saying that Kikwete, a Muslim, was God’s own choice.

Slaa has never hidden the fact that he is a Catholic, a defrocked priest into the bargain.

In the past, we have had presidents who have worn their religiosity on their sleeve — Julius Nyerere and Ali Hassan Mwinyi — and both went on to assume confessional careers after retirement, the former inching toward canonisation, and the latter serving as part-time Imam. So where is the problem?

The problem lies in our lack of a political culture in which issues take centrestage and politicians slug it out on the basis of who has the greatest comprehension of our socio-economic problems and has the best roadmap to haul us out of this mire.

Too many Tanzanian politicians, especially in the ruling party, CCM (which has openly declared its aversion to debate), are simply incapable of engaging in dialogue on ideas and issues, and this renders them incapable of executing any campaign outside character assassination and identity politics.

Tanzanians are wont to turn up their noses at their Kenyan neighbours whom they perceive as hopelessly divided by identities.

Move over, Kenya, you have company. (I intend to discuss this soon).

Jenerali Ulimwengu, chairman of the board of Raia Mwema newspaper, is a political commentator and civil society activist based in Dar es Salaam. E-mail: jenerali@gmail.com

 

[Jatropha]

What more can we expect from a candidacy obtained through character assassination of other opponents from the same ranks?

When Salim Ahmed Salim was being mud slung by mtandao in 2005, everybody thought it was CCM's business. Now the same candidate faced faced with stiff opposition from opponents of other political parties, the same clandestine moves are being applied at the national level without due consideration of their consequences.

 

[JanaMwakisunga]

Dear Jenerali,

I agree with your assertion that politicians should be engaging the issues which affect the Tanzanian people - corruption in government, poverty, poor economic infrastructure (roads, telecoms, educational institutions, and so on).

The days of voting on religious grounds should be consigned to the dark ages. Tanzanians are now more educated and able to discern politicians who are simply leeches, feeding shamelessly on public funds without any sense of duty.

The problem we always have is this - why do so many educated Tanzanians living in the diaspora keep quiet at Election time, and watch corrupt leaders get elected again and again? If we love our country, we need to engage with whatever areas we come from, and ensure that politicians do not get advantage of unlearned villagers, who are easily bribed to vote for these guys, who then simply disappear for another five years!

Wake up Tanzanians abroad, and see how you can influence your country for good.

I personally believe CCM has been around for too long, but I am yet to be persuaded of a viable alternative.

Mwakisunga Mwakibete

 

[Time4change]

In part I agree with Mr Generali, except on one point that "religion has never been based on rationality". The examples he gave of Copernicus and Galileo were victims of the time. Religion as revelation unfolds little by little. If you continue reading history would come to see those who condemned Galileo later admitted that they were wrong. Some religions are based on faith and reason. Hence not all religions are based on irrationality. Back to the main discussion, it is true what is important now is not whether the candidate is a Muslim or Christian, but any Tanzania citizen who can respond to our many questions which have never been tackled for the past 50 years of independence.
On the point of Mwakisunga Mwakibete, the Tanzanian Diasporas can hardly do something to change the current old fashioned constitutions. If the constitution is changed even those in diaspora would be allowed to vote while abroad. Besides, there is no one body which unites them all. I think the time has come for all of us Tanzanias, home and abroad, to think higher and bring about political, economical and social changes. The time is now or never.

 

[Zed]

This article proves why a critical thinker and a visionary personal of the caliber of General Ulimwengu would not fit into CCM and thus he had to leave!


A political bankrupt party, which is kept afloat by Nyerere's political capital, elected through Machiavelli promisses, manipulates people's ignorance. The party that has been taken over by sycophant leaders of Makamba like, propagated by mediocre leaders of Sophia Simba caliber, financed by cliquish brigands like Rostam Aziz, and insured by superstitious Sheikh Yahya.


At this crucial time of election, shamelessly exonerates corrupt people like Chenge and Edward Lowassa. Its campaign is a kitchen affair full of non issues but religious bigotry and mud sliding! Why on earth should we choose such a party unless we have been ‘bewitched'?

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Too many Tanzanian politicians, especially in the ruling party, CCM (which has openly declared its aversion to debate), are simply incapable of engaging in dialogue on ideas and issues, and this renders them incapable of executing any campaign outside character assassination and identity politics.

Tanzanians are wont to turn up their noses at their Kenyan neighbours whom they perceive as hopelessly divided by identities.

Hapo jenerali umewapa CCM ukweli wao.

CCM sasa hivi siyo chama cha wasomi au watu ambao ni wadadisi wa mambo na matokeo yake hawapo tayari kujadili lolote ukiachilia mbali mustakabali wa taifa hili na hata midahalo wanakacha lakini bado wanataka ridhaa yetu ya kutuongoza!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wasomi wote wamekikimbia na waliobaki huko ni wale wanaotafuta sembe yao ya siku hiyo: Wabinafsi tu na wala siyo vinginevyo.

 

[omarilyas]

The days of voting on religious grounds should be consigned to the dark ages. Tanzanians are now more educated and able to discern politicians who are simply leeches, feeding shamelessly on public funds without any sense of duty.

Interesting....from my experiance this problem of reliogious bigotry is more entranched within "educated establishment" than lay people....

The problem we always have is this - why do so many educated Tanzanians living in the diaspora keep quiet at Election time, and watch corrupt leaders get elected again and again? If we love our country, we need to engage with whatever areas we come from, and ensure that politicians do not get advantage of unlearned villagers, who are easily bribed to vote for these guys, who then simply disappear for another five years!

Wake up Tanzanians abroad, and see how you can influence your country for good.

Meaning??? That Tanzanians abroad are more educated, more intelligent, more informed or less prone to religious bigotry?? Don't think so....

This issue is more than the issue of education or exposure.........It is deep into or society psych....these opportunistic politicians are just exploiting our post ethical political environment and somehow leadership vacuum we are facing with the consolidation of everyones' kigogo syndrome in our political establishment..

 

[minda]

Too many Tanzanian politicians, especially in the ruling party, CCM (which has openly declared its aversion to debate), are simply incapable of engaging in dialogue on ideas and issues, and this renders them incapable of executing any campaign outside character assassination and identity politics.

what they are trying to prove is the chinese saying; 'it does not matter whether the cat is black or white so long as it catches mice'

what the secluded party (the holy see conclave-type in nature) is trying to do is sell the filthy game; apparently knowing that the majority of tanzanians are ignorant civic educationwise, the utility of which has been benefitting them.


eventually when the general election results (out of their filthty campagns, threats as per the military and votes rigging) favour them, they will say they were right in their religious biggotry.

 

[Msongoru]

Wadau, nimesikitishwa na hali inavyokenda hasa siku za karibuni. Kuna matukio manne, nayaweka hapa kwa ufupi! Askofu KAKOBE alitoa elimu ya uraia kanisani kwake, baadhi ya mambo muhinu aliyoeleza ni kuwa, uchaguzi kufanyika siku ya Jumapili huenda inawaathiri baadhi ya wakristo katika kupiga kura.

Pia alisema katika uchaguzi hatumchagui malaika, na akajaribu kusema maisha binafsi ya watu sio muhimu sana kwani tukipima mambo hayo hakuna hata mmoja atakeyefaa!

Siku mbili baadae, jopo la mashekhe alito tamko kali kupinga siasa kuingizwa kwenye dini, lakini pia walisema hawakubaliani na baadhi ya viongozi wa dini wanaojaribu kutenganisha kati ya maisha binafsi na uongozi!! Kwa kifupi walikuwa wanmjibu Askofu Kakobe...

Majeshi ya ulinzi nayo yalitoa kauli kupitia kwa Shimbo, ni kauli ambazo wote tulisikia na kuona na kwa bahati nzuri vyombo vya habari na taasisi nyingi zilitoa matamko yao kuhusu taarifa hiyo.

Kwa kifupi wote hawakuridhishwa na hali ile ya JWTZ kuingilia kazi ambayo kwa mujibu wa katiba sio kazi yao. Niliona hata vyombo mbali mbali na taasisi zisizo za kiserikali zikitoa tamko kulaani.

Siku tatu baadae, jopo la mshekhe nao wakatoa tamko kuunga mkono na zaidi kulaani wale wote wanaopinga tamko la Shimbo! Lugha waliotumia na namna wanayotoa matamko watu watu hawa, ukichanganya na kikao au semina ya jana juu ya elimu ya mpiga kura kwa waislam, nahofia kuna ajenda nyuma ya pazia!!

My take: Watoe, matamko kuelimisha watu wao badala ya kukosoa na kukataa ya wenzao, kuna harufu mbaya itafuata kama tusipochukua tahadhari. Nimezingatia hata sms za udini zinazosambazwa!

 

[TUKUTUKU]

Pole sana kwa kuchelewa kujua kuwa Tanzania kuna udini.Tanzania ina udini wa hali ya juu ambao umekuwa ukifanyika chini kwa chini,kuwepo madarakani kwa rais Kikwete kumechochea zaidi kuongeza kwa hali hii!

 

[TUKUTUKU]

wewe pia mdini. kwani mapdri sio pekee ndio wenye mamlaka nchi hii?


Malaria Sugu!Mamlaka gani waliyonayo mapadri katika nchi yetu na hasa kwenye serikali?kuwa wazi mtaalam tupate kupanuana mawazo!

 

[Msongoru]

wewe pia mdini. kwani mapdri sio pekee ndio wenye mamlaka nchi hii?

Siamini kama kuna sehemu nimezungumzia mapadri hapo! Nadhani kuna haja ya wewe kuisoma tena post yangu!!

 

[Msongoru]

wewe pia mdini. kwani mapdri sio pekee ndio wenye mamlaka nchi hii?
Malaria Sugu!Mamlaka gani waliyonayo mapadri katika nchi yetu na hasa kwenye serikali?kuwa wazi mtaalam tupate kupanuana mawazo!

Nashukuru saana kwa nia yako ya kumwelewesha!! Nadhani anajua zaidi kuliko mimi kuhuhsu hiyo hidden agenda!

 

[TUKUTUKU]

Siwezi kumchukia mtu kwa ajili ya dini yake,lakini namchukia mtu kama anamatendo ya kidini!Na ni bora kumjua adui yako moja kwa moja kuliko yule anayejifanya kondoa,lakini ndani ni chui

 

[Henge]

tatizo lenu nyinyi msiokuwa waislam mnajiona mko juu ya wengine. Kwani wapo madri wanompigia debe dk slaa waziwazi lkn hawaitwi wadini. Akitokea kiongozi wa dini nyegine akipinga mnambwambia mdini. Sasa nani mdini hapo?

sema padri gani bwana huyo achukuliwe atua acheni kuleta uchochezi wenu bwana!

 

[Jile79]

Masheikh makafiri kweli!...wanapinga siasa kuingzwa kwenye dini ila wanakubali dini kuingizwa kweneye siasa ndito maana wanailazimisha ccm iwawekee mahakama ya kadhi wkt wanajua hayo ni mambo ya kiislamu..............kwa niniu waislamu wanapotosha watz wa kuwadanganya kuwa kuna dini zinaingilia siasa kwa maneno tu yakupikwa wakati wao wanaingilia kwenye siasa kwa vitendo?.............

 

[Msongoru]

Malaria Sugu, hebu sema vizuri! inaonekana wewe umeshaamini sie ni wakristo na pia, yupo aliyetumia askari kuuwa waislam. Mie nadhani ili tuende vizuri, tuwe na details. Je kuna wakristo wowote waliopigia debe Dr Slaa? Wanani hao? Je kuna waislam wowote waliopigia debe JK? Wanani hao?

 

[mozze]

Pole sana kwa kuchelewa kujua kuwa Tanzania kuna udini.Tanzania ina udini wa hali ya juu ambao umekuwa ukifanyika chini kwa chini,kuwepo madarakani kwa rais Kikwete kumechochea zaidi kuongeza kwa hali hii!

Ni kwlei kabisa Udini au Ukabila havina tija kwa taifa letu. Mimi nitakuwa mpuuzi nikimchagua mtu kwa sababu ni wa dini yangu au kabila langu wakati anashindwa kuwa kiongozi makini. Tunapochagua viongozi wabovu wanaadhiri kila mtu, hakuna barabara itakayotumiwa na watu wa dini fulani, au offisi za serekali za watu fulani. Hakuna mantiki yeyote ile, na ukitaka kujua watu waliondelea hawajali udini Nenda kwenye nchi kama UAE, Qatar na utajionea. Japo ni nchi za kiislam lakini hakuna ubaguzi, Wawekezaji walio wengi ni wa kutoka nje na mostly si Waislam. Huu ni mfano tu kwa wale wote wanaodhani udini utawasaidia, Ni bora kuchagua Kiongozi makini na unayeamini atasimamia sheria na maendeleo ya Nchi.

ni Ukweli usiopingika kuwa tunapochagua viongozi kila mtu ana lake, wapo wanaongalia mustakabali ya taifa na wapo wanaongalia mustakabali wa ubinafsi wao, haya makundi mawili lazima yatakuwepo kwa jinsi yoyote ile. Hivyo kusema Achaguliwe fulani kwa sababu ya imani yake ni KUMPIGA MUHURI ambao wale walio na imani tofauti naye hawatamuunga mkono na matokeo yake ni MPASUKO! Lets be careful!!

Sikatai kila mtu ana dini yake, na japo tuna dini kama UISLAM, UKISTO, HINDU etc. imani "is not UNIVERSAL". Tusijidanganye kuwa tunaweza kupata ushindi kwa sababu ya UDINI au hata Ukabila! Hizi zitaweka tu Chuki na kupunguza ushirikiano, na matokeo yake Taifa litayumba!

 

[Jile79]

NDIYO Maana watakaomchagua kikwete si kwa sababu ya umahili wake kiuognozi ila kwa sababu ya udini wake na kuoednelea mafisadi na marafiki zake kuliko mtu mwingine yeyote

Ni kwlei kabisa Udini au Ukabila havina tija kwa taifa letu. Mimi nitakuwa mpuuzi nikimchagua mtu kwa sababu ni wa dini yangu au kabila langu wakati anashindwa kuwa kiongozi makini. Tunapochagua viongozi wabovu wanaadhiri kila mtu, hakuna barabara itakayotumiwa na watu wa dini fulani, au offisi za serekali za watu fulani. Hakuna mantiki yeyote ile, na ukitaka kujua watu waliondelea hawajali udini Nenda kwenye nchi kama UAE, Qatar na utajionea. Japo ni nchi za kiislam lakini hakuna ubaguzi, Wawekezaji walio wengi ni wa kutoka nje na mostly si Waislam. Huu ni mfano tu kwa wale wote wanaodhani udini utawasaidia, Ni bora kuchagua Kiongozi makini na unayeamini atasimamia sheria na maendeleo ya Nchi.

ni Ukweli usiopingika kuwa tunapochagua viongozi kila mtu ana lake, wapo wanaongalia mustakabali ya taifa na wapo wanaongalia mustakabali wa ubinafsi wao, haya makundi mawili lazima yatakuwepo kwa jinsi yoyote ile. Hivyo kusema Achaguliwe fulani kwa sababu ya imani yake ni KUMPIGA MUHURI ambao wale walio na imani tofauti naye hawatamuunga mkono na matokeo yake ni MPASUKO! Lets be careful!!

Sikatai kila mtu ana dini yake, na japo tuna dini kama UISLAM, UKISTO, HINDU etc. imani "is not UNIVERSAL". Tusijidanganye kuwa tunaweza kupata ushindi kwa sababu ya UDINI au hata Ukabila! Hizi zitaweka tu Chuki na kupunguza ushirikiano, na matokeo yake Taifa litayumba!

 

[Mlachake]

kakobe

Thats name calling. you have been warned. stop it at once.