The deputy minister for Home Affairs, ambassador Khamisi Kagasheki, yesterday distanced the Government from the recent leadership row that has rocked the National Muslims Council, Bakwata.
He urged people not to link the government and its officials with the dispute, and advised Muslims to amicably solve their differences. "I would like to make it very clear that the Government was not involved in the recent expulsion of leaders from Bakwata contrary to what is being reported in the media", he said.
The minister, who addressed a press conference in his office in Dar es Salaam, said the Government did not play any role in the row pitting the opposing Bakawata factions against each other. "They should stick to their constitution to solve the wrangles", he advised them.
He said while it was the role of the Government to register all civil societies through the registrar at the ministry, they should govern themselves through their constitutions. He said it is through the constitutions that leaders of civil societies could be replaced in case of any violation of set principles.
Officials of various Muslim trusts have been reported by the media as having blamed the Government for the Bakwata wrangles that saw Chief Sheikh Issa Shaaban Simba expel nine former close confidants at the Bakwata headquarters.
The clarification comes a few days after a special annual general meeting of Bakwata in Dar es Salaam which endorsed the expulsions and swore allegiance to the Chief Sheikh. The meeting also refuted reports that there were serious differences among Bakwata officials.
Those dismissed were branded as "inciters" at the meeting for allegedly spreading documents to divide the faithful. Speaking on behalf of the ailing Chief Sheikh Issa Shaaban Simba, acting Chief Sheikh Suleiman Gorogosi said all representatives had endorsed the recent leadership changes. Leaders dismissed by Sheikh Simba include the deputy Mufti Abubakar Zubeir, who doubled as secretary to the Chief Sheikh.
Others are the chairman of the National executive council, Mr Khamis Mataka, secretary of the ujamaa council of Bakwata, Mr Hasan Chizenga, his deputy, Mr Abdushakur Omar and two other members, Messrs Suleiman Kilemile and Hamid Jongo. Giving a chronology of cases reported to the registrar at the ministry, Mr Florian Mushy, the deputy minister said the row at Bakwata resulted from a letter from seven complainants.
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