Uchochezi wa Mohamed Said na dhihaka kwa Wapigania Uhuru wa Tanganyika na Zanzibar

Mzee wangu Mohamed Said ,

Nianze kusema andiko langu halikukusudia kukebehi au kukejeli wala hakuna sehemu ya maandishi yangu nimewahi kukejeli maandiko yako ingawa yamejaa uongo mwingi.

Nirejee kwa Sheikh Rehani Waikela,Umesema mwenyewe katoka Tabora kaja kutetea wavamizi wa kiwanja Chang'ombe.
Nilitegemea Sheikh Waikela angefanya yafuatayo:

(a) Kwamba BAKWATA hawakuwa na uhalali wa kukiuza

(b) Kwamba EAMWS ni wamiliki wa kiwanja hicho,BAKWATA ni wavamizi wanastahili kushitakiwa either kwa kosa la kughushi nyaraka au kuuza mali wasiyomiliki kihalali.

(c) Kwamba Sheikh Waikela angeishawishi Mahakama EAMWS bado ipo inafanyakazi zake kwa mujibu wa sheria za nchi na angetoa hati kuthibisha uwepo wa taasisi hiyo.

(d) EAMWS ni wamiliki halali wa kiwanja hicho na kwamba taasisi yake ilitoa kibali kwa washitakiwa wajenge msikiti eneo hilo.....

Sheikh Rehani Waikela badala ya kujikita katika utetezi kama kweli alikuwa na utetezi,kaanza histohisia ya uhuru wa Tanganyika.Katumbukiza udini kama sehemu ya utetezi.Ohoo nilifungwa mara niliwekwa kizuizini sasa huo ndio utetezi halafu watu wenu wakifungwa mtasema wameonewa kweli au ndio mtausingizia mfumo kristo.Sana sana Sheikh wenu kaenda mahakamani kujipaiza mwenyewe badala ya kuwatetea walimchangia nauli toka Tabora mpaka Dar.Kanifurahisha kweli pale aliposema alikataa hongo ya sh 40,000/= utamaduni ule ule kama wa Mohamed Said kusingizia marehemu.


 
Mwandishi mwenyewe unayemtarajia ni huyu anayewatukana wapigania uhuru kama alivyofany baba yake.Unadhani ataweza.Laana ya hao wazee itamwandama yeye na baba yake mpaka siku ya mwisho.
Na sidhani kuwa Mohammed atamjibu mjinga kama huyu.
Yericko Nyerere said:
Naomba kuwajua hao waislamu wanafiki ambao mzee huyo wa Tabora aliwataja wote hapo mahakamani.
Click to expand...
 
WildCard said:
Sheikh Ponda haoni wala hasikii kwa maandiko ya mzee Mohamed. Nadhani katika vitabu alivyonavyo huko rumande, hiki cha mzee Mohamed ni cha pili kwa umuhimu baada ya Quran Tukufu
Click to expand...

WC,

Kwa hisani yako usiiguse Qur'an.
Sisi tujadili ya kitabu changu.

Kwa hakika kila aliyekisoma kitabu changu aliathirika sana.
Nishakupa mfano wa Prof. Haroub Othman.

Hapana haja ya kurudia yaliyompa shida katika maandishi
yangu.

Mtu mwingine aliyeathirika na kitabu changu ni Sheikh Ali
Muhsin Barwani.

Yeye alinialika kwake Mascut na niliwenda tukaonana na tulibaki
marafiki hadi alipofariki.

Sheikh Ali Muhsin alikuwa kaandika kitabu ''Conflict and Harmony
in Zanzibar.''

Mwingine aliyeathirika na kitabu hiki ni Dk Harith Ghassany aliyeandika
''Kwaheri Ukoloni Kwaheri Uhuru.''

Ikutoshe tu kuwa ni kutokana na kitabu hiki na maudhui yake vyuo vikuu
viwili vikanialika Marekani kwenda kutoa muhadhara.

Sitaki kurudia ''reviews'' zilizofanywa kuhusu kitabu, ''serialisations'' nk.

Mimi binafsi kitabu hiki ni katika kazi ambayo kwa hakika namshukuru
Allah kwa kuniwezesha.

''Interesting'' ni kuwa ''draft'' ya mwisho ya kitabu niliituma London nikiwa
Makka karibu na Kaaba Julai 1997.
 
TAMKO LA PAMOJA LA MKUTANO MKUU WA DHARURA WA JUKWAA LA WAKRISTO TANZANIA

1.Utangulizi

Jukwaa la Wakristo Tanzania (TCF) linajumuisha Taasisi Kuu za Makanisa nchini kama ifuatavyo:-

Jumuiya ya Kikristo Tanzania - CCT
Baraza la Maaskofu Katoliki Tanzania - TEC
Jumuiya ya Makanisa ya Kipentekoste Tanzania - PCT
Kanisa la Waadventisti Wasabato – SDA (Watazamaji)

Katika Mkutano wake Mkuu wa Dharura uliofanyika katika Kituo cha Mikutano na Mafunzo cha Baraza la Maaskofu Katoliki Tanzania (TEC) Kurasini, Jijini Dar es Salaam, tarehe 8 Machi, 2013; Wajumbe walitafakari kwa undani juu ya kuzorota kwa mahusiano baina ya Dini mbili za Ukristo na Uislamu nchini Tanzania, pamoja na mauaji na mashambulizi ya viongozi wa dini; na hatua zilizochukuliwa na Serikali dhidi ya uhalifu huo unaotekelezwa na Waislamu wachache. Katika taswira hiyo, Kanisa lilitathmini juu ya wajibu, utume, na sauti yake ya kinabii kwa taifa letu kuhusiana na mambo hayo.

2. Hali halisi ilivyo hivi sasa hapa nchini kwa mtazamo wa Kanisa
Ushahidi wa kihistoria na kimazingira unaonyesha wazi kuwa kwa sasa Kanisa nchini Tanzania limo katika kipindi cha mateso ya kimfumo (systematic persecution), kama vipindi vingine 10 vya mateso katika Historia ya Kanisa hapa duniani. Pamoja na mateso haya ya kimfumo, tunatambua wazi kuwa wanaotekeleza haya ni kikundi kidogo tu cha Waislamu wa Tanzania, kama wale wengine wa Barani Afrika (k.m. Boko Haram kule Nigeria). Waislamu walio wengi hawafurahii mambo yanayotokea. Wao pia wanaitazamia Serikali kuthibiti hawa wachache wanaochafua dini ya Kiislamu na kuwafanya Waislamu wote waonekane kuwa maadui wa Ukristo, jambo ambalo siyo kweli.

Kutokana na hali hiyo, mkutano mkuu wa dharura wa Jukwaa la Wakristo umeyaangalia maeneo makuu yenye migogoro ikiwa ni pamoja na:
2.1. Mgororo wa nani anastahili kuchinja kitoweo Hivi karibuni hapa nchini tumeshuhuduia mgogoro juu ya uchinjaji wa mifugo ambayo nyama yake inapaswa kuuzwa kwa watu wa imani mbalimbali wakiwemo Wakristo na Waislamu. Tunafahamu kwamba sheria ya nchi yetu inaweka bayana juu ya usalama wa nyama hizo kiafya, lakini sheria haielekezi kuwa dini fulani ndiyo waumini wake wanapaswa kuchinja mifugo hiyo. Kwa misingi hiyo Kanisa linatamka kuwa:-
a) Hoja ya dini moja kudai kuhodhi (exclusive right) uchinjaji wa mifugo kwa misingi ya imani yake ni kinyume cha haki ya uhuru wa kuabudu ambayo amepewa kila mtu ndani ya nchi hii kikatiba katika Ibara 19.
b) Kwa kuwa kuchinja wanyama na ndege ni Ibada kwa Waislamu, Kanisa litambue na kuheshimu jambo hilo. Lakini pamoja na kutambua haki ya Waislamu kujichinjia wanyama na ndege kama Ibada kwao, Wakristo wasilazimishwe kula nyama zilizochinjwa kwa misingi ya Ibada za Kiislamu. Kwa kuwa wananchi wa Tanzania ni wa dini mbalimbali na mila za makabila mbalimbali, tunaitaka Serikali itamke wazi kuwa kila raia ana uhuru wa kufuata imani yake katika suala la uchinjaji.
c) Kuhusiana na jambo hili tunashindwa kabisa kuelewa msimamo wa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania na Viongozi wengine waandamizi wa Serikali. Wakati wa Serikali ya awamu ya pili chini ya Rais Mstaafu Ali Hassan Mwinyi, ambaye pia ni Muislamu, ulipotokea ugomvi wa mabucha ya nyama ya nguruwe Dar es Salaam, Rais huyu Mstaafu kwa kulinda Katiba ya nchi ambayo aliapa kuilinda, alisema mwenyewe kwa nguvu zote kuwa kila mtu ana uhuru wa kula anachotaka na mtu wa dini moja asimhukumu mtu wa dini nyingine kwa kile anachokula. Baada ya Rais Mstaafu kukemea jambo hili, hali ikawa ya amani na utulivu. Kwa nini Serikali yetu ya sasa inapata kigugumizi kuhusiana na suala zima la nani achinje?
d) Kwa mantiki hiyo hapo juu katika kipengele cha a-c, Wakristo wanaitaka Serikali iweke utaratibu wa kugawana machinjio na mabucha kati ya Wakristo na Waislamu ili kila Mtanzania awe huru kujinunulia kitoweo mahali anapotaka. Sambamba na kuitaka Serikali kufanya hivyo, tunawakumbusha Wakristo wote Tanzania kuelewa kuwa watakuwa hawajavunja sheria yoyote ya nchi wakiamua kujichinjia kitoweo chao wenyewe. Kuhusiana na tangazo hili kwa Wakristo wote, tunaitaka mihimili ya dola (Serikali na Mahakama) kuheshimu Katiba ya Nchi yetu, na kipekee kuhusiana na jambo hili Ibara ile ya 19.
e) Kwa upande mwingine, kwa kuwa tayari zipo bidhaa za vyakula katika nchi hii ambazo zina nembo ya ‘halal' na nyingine hazina nembo hiyo, huu ni uthibitisho kuwa vyakula hivyo vimegawanywa kwa kufuata misingi ya imani za kidini. Kwa hiyo, madai ya kugawanya machinjio na mabucha kwa kufuata misingi ya dini sio jambo jipya kwa sasa katika nchi hii.
2.2 Uchomaji wa Makanisa ulioambatana na vitisho na mauaji ya viongozi wa KanisaKanisa linalaani vikali mauaji ya kidini yanayoendelea kufanywa pamoja na vitisho (systematic persecution) kwa viongozi wa Kanisa na Wakristo wote kwa ujumla.

Mtiririko wa matukio mbali mbali ya nyuma yanatudhihirishia kuwa kumekuwepo na mpango wa muda mrefu wa haya yanayotokea sasa hivi. Tarehe 15 Januari 2011, kundi la Waumini wa Kiislamu walipokutana katika ukumbi wa Diamond Jubilee, miongoni mwao walikuwamo mashehe, walijadili hali ya nchi ya Tanzania kuongozwa kwa mfumo wa kidini. Mkutano huo ulihitimishwa kwa kutoa tamko dhidi ya kile kilichoitwa mfumo Kristo katika nchi yetu!

Japo Serikali na vyombo vyake vya usalama wa Taifa vimekuwa vikipata taarifa za vitisho dhidi ya viongozi wa Kanisa, mauaji, kuchomwa kwa nyumba za ibada, pamoja na maneno ya uchochezi kupitia mihadhara, vipeperushi, CD na vyombo vya habari vinavyomilikiwa na taasisi zinazofahamika, hata hivyo Serikali kwa kiasi kikubwa imeshindwa kuchukua hatua kwa wakati muafaka na wanasubiri hadi maovu yatendeke ndipo ati waanze kufanya uchunguzi. Kwa Serikali yetu inaonekana wazi kuwa katika hili ile methali kwamba "Kinga ni bora kuliko tiba" haina maana yoyote. Hii ni kuonyesha udhaifu mkubwa wa vyombo vya usalama wa Taifa au pia kwamba vyombo hivi vinafurahia kutoweka kwa amani nchini mwetu, jambo ambalo linalifanya Kanisa nchini Tanzania liamini kwamba matukio haya yanayoendelea kutokea ni dalili kuwa Serikali ina agenda ya siri dhidi ya Ukristo.

Kutokana na hayo Jukwaa la Wakristo Tanzania linatamka kama ifuatavyo:
a) Tunatambua kwamba ni jukumu la Serikali kuwatendea raia wake kwa usawa na bila ya ubaguzi kwa mujibu wa Ibara ya 12 na 13 ya Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania. Viongozi wa Kanisa wanatamka kwamba Serikali imeshindwa kuheshimu Katiba juu ya hizi haki za raia wake na kupelekea waamini wa dini ya Kikristo kukosa imani na Serikali iliyoko madarakani, hasa kuhusu ulinzi na usalama wao na mali zao kama inavyoagizwa kwenye Ibara ya 14 ya Katiba ya Jamhuri wa Muungano wa Tanzania. Kama Serikali inaona haiwezi kuwahakikishia wananchi usalama wa uhai wao na mali zao, na hivyo kuwafanya waishi maisha ya hofu inayotokana na vitisho, basi kwa mujibu wa Katiba ya nchi yetu, hakuna sababu ya Serikali iliyoko madarakani kung'ang'ania kuongoza nchi.
b) Kwa kuwa ulinzi wa raia ni haki ya kikatiba na kisheria, Serikali inatakiwa iwalinde raia wake. Kama Serikali imeshindwa kuwalinda raia wake, Kanisa linataka Serikali ikiri hivyo ili Kanisa liwaambie wananchi waiwajibishe Serikali na Viongozi wanaoifanya Serikali ishindwe kutimiza wajibu wake.

Jukwaa la Wakristo linasema:
Kama Serikali haitachukua hatua za makusudi dhidi ya mambo haya yaliyoainishwa hapo juu, Kanisa litachukua hatua ya kuwaambia waamini wake kwamba Serikali iliyoko madarakani inaibeba dini moja, na hivyo Kanisa litatafakari upya uhusiano wake na Serikali.

3. Wakristo walioko Zanzibar
Wakristo walioko Zanzibar wanatishiwa maisha yao na mali zao zinaharibiwa mara kwa mara, kiasi cha wengine kuamua kuhamia Tanzania Bara. Kigezo cha unyanyasaji huo ni suala la udini na muungano. Inaonekana ni kama vile Watanzania waliozaliwa Bara hawana haki ya kuishi Visiwani. Na kumbe wale waliozaliwa Visiwani wafikapo Barani wana haki zote. Kanisa linaitaka Serikali iwahakikishie Wakristo walioko Zanzibar usalama wao na wa mali zao maana hiyo ni haki yao ya Kikatiba.

4. Vitisho na mauaji ya Wanakanisa
Serikali ya Jamhuri wa Muungano wa Tanzania ichukue hatua za makusudi za kuzuia vitisho na mauaji kwa Viongozi wa Kanisa na Wakristo kwa ujumla. Vinginevyo Kanisa litautangazia ulimwengu kuwa Tanzania ni nchi mojawapo inayovunja haki za binadamu kwa ubaguzi wa kidini na kulitesa Kanisa kimfumo.

5. Matumizi ya Vyombo vya Habari:
Kwa kuwa kuna baadhi ya vyombo vya habari ambavyo vimeruhusu vitumiwe kuwatukana Viongozi wa Kanisa, tunatoa nafasi kwa vyombo hivyo kuomba radhi; vinginevyo tutaitaka dunia ivielewe kuwa navyo ni sehemu ya chanzo cha migogoro. Pia tunachukua nafasi hii kuvitahadharisha vyombo mbalimbali vya habari kupima kwa kina ni nini kinachosemwa na viongozi wa kidini ili kuviepusha vyombo hivyo kutumika kwa nia ya uchochezi; yasije yakatukuta kama yale yaliyotokea kule Rwanda 1994.

6. Hitimisho:
Kanisa linaendelea kusisitiza kuwa silaha kuu ya Mkristo katika nyakati hizi ni maombi na kufunga. Kwa mantiki hiyo, Kanisa linawataka Wakristo wote nchini Tanzania kuungana kwa pamoja katika maombi na kufunga kwa muda wa siku saba kwa ajili ya hali hii iliyojitokeza hapa nchini. Maombi hayo na mfungo vifanyike kabla ya Pasaka, yaani kuanzia, tarehe 24/3/2013 hadi 30/3/2013.

Kwa niaba ya Maaskofu 177 walioshiriki katika Mkutano Mkuu wa Dharura wa Jukwaa la Wakristo na kutoa maazimio hayo.

1. Askofu Peter Kitula – Mwenyekiti CCT
2. Askofu Tarcisius J. M. Ngalalekumtwa Rais TEC
3. Askofu David Batenzi Mwenyekiti PCT

DAR ES SALAAM, 19.03.2013


:violin:
​
 


Nadhani atakua amekuelewa..!
Moh said,mungu akulipe na akujaalie kheri nyingi sana..
 
Kama kiwanja ni mali ya waislam, ugomvi unatoka wapi? Nani anhusika katika sakata la kiwanja?
 

Geeky,
Unaweza ukaandika kwa ushabiki wa ''kumi na nane'' nk.

Kwetu Waislam hili si jambo la mzaha hii kwetu ni ibada na
ni kuitika na kufanya kama alivyoagiza Allah SW.

Aliyemtajirisha Manji ni Allah SW ana aliyejaalia umaskini
kwetu ni yeye Hakimu Muadilifu.

Sisi hatushughulishwi na utajiri na uwezo wa Manji.
Sisi tunashughulishwa na radhi za Allah na Mtume Wake
(SAW).

Wakati ukifika Manji ataingia katika mwanandani na kitambaa cha
bafta kile kile atakachovaa Ponda, Mohamed Said na wengine.

Iko siku sote tutasimama mbele yake na Allah atanadi, ''Wako
wapi waja wangu wema?''

Tunachokililia sisi ni kuwa siku hiyo tuwe miongoni mwa wale
watakaomwitikia Allah kwa sauti, ''Mola wetu tuko hapa mbele
yako sisi watumwa wako tukubalie juhudi zetu za kulinyanyua
jina lako na utusamehe madhambi yetu na tutie katika pepo yako''
 

Alaf haitaji uwe mshabiki sana ujue kuna tatizo kwenye either uandishi (mleta habari ambayr ni Mzee Saidi) au Sheikh Rehani Waikela mwenyewe.

Manake katika ushahidi wake alioutoa.

Between the lines naona Yeye (Sheikh Rehani Waikela) alikuwa muasisi wa TANU ila baadae alisalitiwa na Nyerere.

Na alisalitiwa kwasababu alikuwa muislamu.
 

Alaf haitaji uwe mshabiki sana ujue kuna tatizo kwenye either uandishi (mleta habari ambayr ni Mzee Saidi) au Sheikh Rehani Waikela mwenyewe.

Manake katika ushahidi wake alioutoa.

Between the lines naona Yeye (Sheikh Rehani Waikela) alikuwa muasisi wa TANU ila baadae alisalitiwa na Nyerere.

Na alisalitiwa kwasababu alikuwa muislamu.

Aisee Kuna chuki kali (ofcoz kutoka kwa kundi dogo) towards Nyerere.
 
Maaskofu wanasema Tanzania kuna (Systemetic persecution) mateso ya kimfumo wanapata Wakirsto.
 

Umelisoma Tamko la Maaskofu.
 

insha allah,
Allah azide kukulipa kheir..
 

Shahidi mwenyewe ni Mpigania uhuru wa Tanganyika Mzee Bilali Waikela! Mzee wetu huyu ametajwa sana ktk kitabu cha Sheih Mohamed Saidi na tunamuomba Allah atulindie Mzee Bilali kwani sikutegemea kabisa kama Bilali angeweza kusimama Mahakamani na kutoa ushahidi!

ama kuhusu Mohamed Said kama ataitwa kutoa ushahidi hilo linamhusu yeye wala sio wewe!
 
Mohamed Said;5969097]Twende Kazi,Ahsante kwa maneno yako mazuri.
Sifa ya Uislam ni ukweli..
Click to expand...
Na ukweli huo si wa maandishi tu hata kutoa takwimu za uongo mja anapoteza sifa hiyo. Kumsingizia mtu kitu kisicho cha kweli sifa inapotea,farki na chuki navyo pia vinaondoa sifa kama ulivyosema Mohamed katika nukuu.

Mohamed, kuna umemjibu Mnyambala kuwa wewe hujamdharau au kumdunisha Nyerere popote pale.
Nachelea kusema kuwa kuna wakati unapoteza ''network'' bila kutarajia.

Mfano, unaposema Nyerere aliandikiwa hotuba na kwenda kuisoma tu je hapo unasemaje.
Yaani mtu mwenye master yake anabeba karatasi hadi New York bila kujua kimeandikwa nini.
Kana kwamba haitoshi umekwenda mbali na kuanika wazi Nyerere alikwenda sokoni bila senti na kupewa pesa na Mshume Kiyate, kwamba hata kama ni kweli hilo ni muhimu sana katika historia! hukulenga kumdhalilisha mzee wa watu kweli.

Mohamed kasema Nyerere alianza siasa baada ya kuonana na Sykes, hapa kweli hukulenga kumdunisha au ulilenga nini.
Ni kundunisha kwasababu Nyerere hakuanza siasa wakati alipomuona Sykes alishaanza miaka mingi tu.

Ukasema Nyerere akikanyaga Dar mwaka 1950 wazee wa mjini walikuwa tayari katika siasa.
Maana yake akitoka bush wazee walishaanza siasa! fair enough! lakini ni ukweli kuwa alikuja mwaka 1950 na si 1946? Kwanini umeficha hilo kama lengo si kumdhalilisha ili aonekane zezeta mbela ya wazee wako.

Mo, Umesema Nyerere aliwachukia waislam, lakini hakuna mahali ulipoonyesha Nyerere akisema zaidi ya hisia zako.
Je hilo si kumdhalilisha marehem ukijua hawezi kujitetea bali kubaki na chuki za watu kwa kosa lisilokuwepo.

Orodha ni ndefu, inatosha kusema tu kuwa ngano nzima ilimlenga Nyerere, kwanza kumdhalilisha, kumdunisha halafu kupitia hayo umjengee chuki kwa watu. Hili huwezi kulikana maana tuna nyuzi zako za kutosha kukuvua nguo zilizobaki

Kuhusu suala la Ponda, Mohamed anasema Ponda hajuti hapo alipo! white elephant!
Huyu Mohamed huwezi kumuona hata kwenye maandamano.
Yeye yupo studio akichagiza wenzake. Leo kuna ambao wamehukumiwa mwaka 1.

Wakati wanaelekea Segerea, Mohamed pengine anaandaa brief case ili aende Durban halafu US.
Akirudi huko anawahimiza wenzake waende asikokutaka! Please rejea maneno yako hapo juu '' sifa ya uislam''.

Kiwanja cha Chang'ombe ni cha waislam na mgogoro uliopo ni baina ya waislam.
Hakuna EAMWS wala Nyerere.

Aliyeuza ni mwislam na aliyenunua ni mwislam, walioshindwa kukaa kitako na kujadili kwa maadili na muongozo wa Quran tukufu, sunna na hadithi ni waislam. Imeelezwa watu wakihitilafiana wafanye nini?

Haijaelezwa watu wakihitilafiana warushe mawe hovyo! wala haijaelezwa haki ni lazima itafutwe kwa fujo na vurugu.
Misinterpretation ya dini ni tatizo kubwa sana.

Ndiyo ile ile ya mtu kumwambia mwenzake jifunge mabomu utaenda peponi wakati yeye hataki kujifunga bomu hilo ili awahi kwanza.
Ni yale yale ya kudanganya watu wasipeleke watoto shule za mfumokristo wakati ambapo Kadinali Pengo akiita ALUMNI wa St Joseph Dar es Salaam Mohamed atapelekewa barua.

Ni yale yale ya kusema kiingereza ni lugha ya mfumokristo wakati MO kila uchao anaongea lugha hiyo na marafiki zake. Tena si kuwa anaongea tu amefikia mahali anaandika kitabu kwa lugha hiyo. Hajaandika historia ya wazee wake kiarabu!

Mohamed, waeleze watu wako kwanza warejee na kuangalia muongozo unasema nini na wala si kutafuta mwamvuli wa majani ya mgomba kwa kutumia mfumokristo.
Tatizo ni la waislam, wanaogombana ni waislam kwasababu ya mali za wakfu za waislam.period

Serikali haiwezi kukaa kimya watu wakitoana rogo hovyo eti kwa kuheshimu dini wakati hao wenye dini hawaieheshimu kwa kuanzia. Bila kukaa chini na kutafakari tatizo ni nini na chanzo chake ni nini, likimalizika la Chang'ombe litafuta la nyumba za wakfu ABCD na huko ni mapanga na pinde. Je ndiyo swifa ya Uislam ulioisema hapo juu.
 

Vipi Askofu Kibwetele alipowafungia Wakirsto Kanisani kisha akawachoma moto ili waende peponi mbona umewasahau.
 
Islamic history has told us that when things got tough for early Muslims in Makkah in the 6th Century, Saudi Arabia, when their businesses were being destroyed, when their dignity as human beings was being debased and when their lives could no longer be guaranteed, the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW), asked some of them to migrate to Ethiopia, a Christian land and civilization, to escape maltreatment from pagan Arabs and find peace, love and protection in the hands of a Christian king, Negus of Ethiopia. But the Makkan pagan leadership thought that given the strength of business relations between them and Ethiopia, they went to Ethiopia and told King Negus not to receive the Muslims. They said they were runaway slaves. And that they claimed that they disrespect Jesus. But King Negus was a fair, man of God. He called the Muslims and asked them to tell him what their scripture said about Jesus. And when they read to him some portions from the Chapter Maryam (Mary, the mother of Jesus), the King came down from his throne and said, 'We are one and the same. There is no significant difference between us. You are my brothers. This is your land.' King Negus sent the Makkan ambassadors away, fed his Muslim guests, clothed them and protected them.

My prayer is that the newly inaugurated Pope Francis I, other Christian leaders and all Muslim leaders would follow in this historic footstep of this noble Christian king. I am very optimistic because, the stories that we have heard about Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio were those of a true, kind-hearted man, a humble man who gave up the limousines for public transport, a scholar who is deeply attached to the true teachings of Jesus Christ as he read them and a man who seeks for nothing but to please God. I therefore welcome Pope Francis to the leadership of 1.2 billion Catholics around the world and pray that God almighty will help him improve relations within Christendom and between Christianity and the Muslim World.

As we go through these troubled times in our country, and in the spirit of this hope and prayer, let me share with you a long piece written and presented by my friend Engr. Zayyan Yabo (a Muslim) in 2006 when he was invited to address the Convention of Young Catholic Students of Nigeria in Nkpor, Anambra State.

Thanks and God bless.

INTERFAITH BRIGDE-BUILDING – AN URGENT TASK OF OUR TIME

BY

ZAYYAN TAMBARI YABO
(then Admin Secretary, National Youth Council of Nigeria, National Headquarters, Abuja, zayyanyabo@yahoo.com)

DURING THE CONVENTION OF YOUNG CATHOLIC STUDENTS OF NIGERIA (YCSN) THAT TOOK PLACE AT OUR LADY COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL NKPOR ANAMBRA STATE,
ON 22nd to 25th AUGUST, 2006.

Dear Christian friends, As-salamu Alaikum – in other words, peace be unto
You!

In case you wonder the appropriateness of this salutation; I am merely re-echoing, with slight modification, the revered Late Pope John Paul (11), who started his historic and epochal address at Umayyad Mosque of Damascus, Syria, on 6th May 2001, with the fraternal and brotherly greetings: "Dear Muslim Friends, Asalamu Alaikum!

When I received the letter inviting me to this event by my very good friend, Silas- the National Coordinator of the Young Catholic Students of Nigeria (YSCN) - who had earlier intimated me of his desire for me to attend this convention, I was not surprised. However, the accompanying request in the letter that I should deliver a Goodwill message "in support of this epoch making event", completely swept me off my feet. Initially, in my mind, I wanted to decline to speak and limit myself to only gracing the occasion. But, reflecting on the fact that Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe, the National Chaplain, had countersigned the letter, I knew that declining to speak will weaken whatever confidence Silas had in extending that invitation – which indeed is amazingly gracious – to deliver a Goodwill Message.

First, as a Muslim, I confronted a dilemma on what to speak, more so, I was not given any specific issue to address. Secondly, as a trained engineer and a youth development activist, I wondered, very loudly, what message to deliver that will be consistent with the organizers' wish to make this event memorable and useful? This uncertainty stemmed from my assumption, hoping to be right; that I was invited in my personal capacity. Therefore, I do not have the mandate to speak on behalf of the National Youth Council, where I serve as the Administrative Secretary; and speaking for the Council is clearly not within the purview of my duties and responsibilities.

Finally, taking a periscope view of our society, the challenges of nation-building and the critical roles the youth are expected to; and can play, I came to the inescapable conclusion that one of the most urgent task of our generation – the youth of today – is to build solid interfaith bridges, by promoting dialogue and cooperation, rather than conflict and confrontation between Christians and Muslims, and of course followers of other faiths.

This is the kernel of the Goodwill Message I wish to share with my brothers at this auspicious gathering – interestingly, an august gathering in August!

I believe, before delving into the meat of the matter, it will be in order to do a brief synopsis of the contributions of the Catholic Church to the global civilization and the socio- political life of our dear nation.

Overtime, The Catholic Church, since Jesus Christ (Isah-Peace be unto him -in the Islamic tradition); the bearer of the message of salvation, St. Peter; the Church's Supreme Pastor and the entire successor Popes (the stewards of the mysteries of God), have continued to be one of the strongest bulwarks of religion. The church played serious roles in bringing about enlightenment to the ignorant and hope to the disillusioned. The church, with its elaborate rituals, discipline and order is a precursor to most modern institutions.

One of the farthest reaching impacts of the Catholic legacy is the Gregorian calendar. The motivation of the Church in adjusting the Julian calendar (the calendar in use before the Gregorian calendar), was to have the Christian Passover (Easter) – the celebration of the supreme sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ – celebrated at the time thought to have been agreed to, at the first Ecumenical Council of the Christendom; convoked by Roman Emperor Constantine at Nicea in 325AD (Other far-reaching decisions were taken at the conference that have impacted greatly in human history up to today). The Gregorian calendar was first proposed by the Calabrian doctor Aloysius Lilius and was decreed by Pope Gregory (XIII), for whom it was named, on 24 February 1582, via a papal order (Papal bull intergrarissimas). Italy, Spain and Portugal were the first to adopt the calendar. Today, the Gregorian calendar is the calendar that is used nearly everywhere in the world – including Nigeria!

Another foremost contribution of the Catholic Church is the institutionalization of Charity. In 1738, the venerable Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais (Madame D ‘Youville) founded the order of Sisters of Charity of the Hospital General of Montreal (Grey Nuns), as an order of the Roman Catholic nuns. The Grey nunnery offered a refuge to old people of both sexes, incurables, orphans and abandoned children of foundings. This trend continued up till now, clearly exemplified by the global charity outreach of a shinning example of Catholic nunnery – Mother Theresa – a humane and humble Lady, whose kindness, love, piety and purity had brought succour where there is rancour; harmony instead of acrimony and replaced bitterness with happiness. Contemporary trends in secular humanitarian charity foundations and organizations, like Ford Foundation; Nobel Foundation; Carter Foundation; Gates-Buffet Foundation etc, are upshots of this pioneering effort of the Catholic Church to institutionalize charity; which has been part of human existence, but mostly at inter-personal and unorganized level.

Coming home, the Catholic Church has been part of modern Nigeria's history since the dawn of British colonial intervention in our affairs. In most parts of the country, Catholic missionary activities preceded colonial institutional presence. The Catholic missionaries set up most of the earliest schools in Nigeria, that educated the first crop of Nigerians that later teamed up with other compatriots across the country to struggle and attain independence for Nigeria in 1960. For instance, the Catholic Mission Society established the CMS Grammar School in Lagos in the 18th century.

Considering the heroic and indefatigable role the Nigerian Press has played since the days of independence struggle; the perpetual struggle to entrench democracy in Nigeria; and the determination to hold the government accountable to the governed, it will interest this audience and beyond, to note that the first Newspaper in Nigeria was established by a Catholic reverend; Henry Townsend in Yoruba vernacular named "Iwe Irohin funawon Egba ati Yoruba" in the 19th century.

The Catholic Church in Nigeria has lent its credible voice at critical junctions of Nigeria's chequered political history. The most recent is its denouncing as evil, unpopular and undemocratic the defeated attempt to amend Nigerian's constitution to pave way for third term (or life tenure) for elected leaders; even as the expected main beneficiary, President Olusegun Obasanjo, is a Christian as well. This is clearly an act of commendable courage by the Catholic Church to entrench and deepen the democratic content of our political life.

Before I leap into the main subject of this message, interfaith bridge-building, let me also acknowledge the positive impact the Catholic students and youths have made to youth development efforts in Nigeria.

The Young Catholic Students of Nigeria (YCSN) was adopted in 1982 by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) from the former Young Christian Students, (YCS) founded in 1959 by Miss Fredan O' Mahoney, that has its roots in the Young Christian Workers (YCW) that was started in 1927 by Rev. Fr. Lao Joseph Cardijn among the young factory workers in Laoken, a suburb of the large city of Brussels in Belgium.

The movement is aimed at young people taking care of their worries, anxieties and injustices by themselves through a systematic method of SEE, JUDGE and ACT. It stands to encourage young people to be leaders even if someone is personally weak; he can unite with others to become strong. The movement (YCSN) is spread to various schools which include advanced colleges, teacher training schools and colleges of arts and science.

The operational creed or motto of Action, Reflection and Action has enabled the YCSN to organize leadership training workshops, seminars, retreats, magazine and newsletter publications, study programmes, games, essay competitions, leadership exchange programmes, religious/ moral instructions examinations in schools every year, etc.

This broad-band programmes package of the YCSN has enabled the students to develop their potential and capacity to contribute meaningfully in nation-building. This is most certainly a worthy and commendable contribution to national progress and development.

Let me quickly mention that the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) is one of the most active affiliates of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) - the umbrella body of all youth organizations in Nigeria and the authoritative voice of Nigerian Youths. The present President of The Council, Ben Duntoye, is a member of CYON. Through him, the Catholic youth are contributing their own quota in setting the directing policy principles that will impact on the lives of Nigerian Youth.

As a member of the present administration of the Council, it will be immodest for me to venture any judgment on the Council, therefore, let me simply hope that posterity will be able to cite the strides of the present leadership in tackling its peculiar challenges and attempts in creating an enabling environment for the successor generations of youth leaders in Nigeria to build upon.

After this, I believe, necessary detour to contextually chronicle the contributions of the Catholic Church and its affiliate students and youths arms, I expect that a receptive atmosphere has been created for me to deliver my main message on interfaith dialogue, with minimum risk of rejection or misunderstanding.

It is a well known fact that in the last two decades, relations between Christians and their Muslim brothers in our country have been characterized by tensions, conflicts and conflagrations. I need not go into the gory details of these sad, unfortunate and reprehensive events, to avoid achieving the exact opposite of this discourse. And, definitely, I am both ill-equipped and ill-positioned to pass judgment on who was right or wrong. That will amount to usurping the prerogative of the supreme Almighty God; whom we all worship, and the ultimate arbiter of the actions of all creatures on the Day of Judgment.

Much has been said and written about the remote and immediate causes of these misunderstandings. However, more informed commentators agree that most of the religious conflicts in Nigeria are not truly about advancing doctrinal beliefs; but about power tussle and cut-throat economic competitions. Elite struggles are simply ventilated through religious outlets – being one of the easiest means to mobilize the gullible masses, as pawns of the power elite. The majority of the elite, who are habitually lazy intellectually and structurally, masquerade their failure to mobilize the citizenry through superior argument and reasoning, by easily and shamelessly appealing to primordial sentiments in mobilizing the people to serve their parochial and self-centered interests. And, elites from both side of the divide are guilty of this divide and rule tactics. Until we are able to see through the smokescreens for what they really are, the orgy of needless violence will continue to be visited on hapless citizens by unconscionable elements whose claim to belief-in or fear-of God is, but, an elaborate ruse.

No religion, in its doctrinal decrees has sanctioned the killing, maiming or destruction of the properties of adherents of other religions. And definitely, it is weak and in-effectual reasoning or logic to judge the tenets of other religions by the conducts of its adherents, or to blame a religion for the action of its followers. The best way to understand other religions is to study what their scriptures say; not the actions of those who claim to be adherents of such religion and acting on its behalf.

Religious intolerance, in whatever guise, is a major hindrance to attaining our national goals of development. Nigeria is strategically blessed by God as the most populous back country in the world. God has equally endowed Nigeria with vast human and material resources that can cater for our needs and our fellow Africans – who look up to Nigeria for leadership and support in times of need. We the young ones have an urgent generational task to build bridges of friendship across religious divides, in order to rescue the promising fortunes of our dear fatherland from unpatriotic elements, who have become a huge albatross to Nigeria realizing her full potential – a country that provides for her citizens and attract other citizens as well.

The Youth represent renewal, duty and hope. With conviction, with hope, we the youth can successfully turn the tide for the emergence of a prosperous, progressive and egalitarian society, that will be the pride of all; irrespective of creed or credence.

Let me stamp the authority and pioneering efforts of Late Pope John Paul (II) to further justify this call for building interfaith bridges, for the benefit of ourselves and coming generations.

Pope John Paul (II) on 6th May 2001 appeared at one of the oldest mosques in the Islamic world, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, earlier mentioned at the beginning of this message. The mosque is deeply cherished by Muslims and Christians because it is believed to be site of the tomb of Yahaya AS (John the Baptist to Christians). During the visit, the Pope said "it is my ardent hope that Muslim and Christian religious leaders and teachers will present our two great religious communities as communities in respectful dialogue, never more as communities in conflict."

Despite theological differences, Pope John Paul (II) has always considered Muslims as a fellow spiritual community deserving respect and admiration.
Islam and Christianity share a majority of their beliefs. The principle value of unity of divinity, the Prophets, Jesus and Mary, Jerusalem and the promise of life after life are all common to both faiths.

Today, through the efforts of John Paul (II) as a pioneer in interfaith bridge -building, Muslims, too, feel as though Catholicism has started to reciprocate and recognize Islam and Muslims as partners in spirituality. The Pope set up the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The Council has established liaison with International Islamic Organizations and with Al-azhar Islamic University in Egypt, where he once visited. No wonder, on the death of this Pope, Muslims all over the world expressed their sorrow and solidarity with the Catholic Community. Muslims see John Paul (II) as a dear friend who reached out to them repeatedly. He was not only a religious partner in worshipping the one God, but he also was a political ally who frequently spoke up for the rights of all peoples; including Muslims. He often called for peace in the Middle East and for restoration of rights and dignity to the Palestinians. He was against the war in Iraq, Bosnia Herzegovina, and he ardently believed that Muslims and Christians, working together, could bring both God and Peace to our beleaguered world.

In a world de-spiritualized by materialism, secular fundamentalism and religious extremism; ravaged by war, greed and violence; and disenchanted by ideologies and false religions; Late Pope John Paul (II) was a champion of morality, moderation and peace. The world has truly lost a global leader.

As a respect and appreciation of the legacy of the Late Pope, The Muslim community in Nigeria and elsewhere supported and wished for the emergence of Nigeria's Cardinal Arinze as a new Pope, with prayers and messages of goodwill. This is in recognition of the efforts of Cardinal Arinze in promoting interfaith dialogue in Nigeria and beyond. The Muslim community hoped that the emergence of Cardinal Arinze would have sustained the efforts of the Late Pope, by giving papal authority to continued dialogue at the highest institutional levels between Muslims and Catholics worldwide.

For lack of better expression and argument, I would once again respectfully let the Late Pope speak to the youth on the virtue of religious tolerance. Hear him say: "it is crucial for the young to be taught the ways of respect and understanding, so that they will not be led to misuse religion itself to promote or justify hatred and violence. Violence destroys the image of the creator in his creatures, and should never be considered as the fruit of religious conviction."

Once again, on the virtue of forgiveness, the Pope said, and, I quote: "For all the times that Muslims and Christians have offended one another, we need to seek forgiveness from the Almighty and to offer each other forgiveness. Jesus teaches us that we must pardon others' offences if God is to pardon us our sins (Mt 6:14)."

To further drive the pertinent point home, the Pope asserted that "As members of the one human family and as believers, we have obligations to the common good, to justice and to solidarity. Interreligious dialogue will lead to many forms of co-operation, especially in responding to the duty to care for the poor and the weak. These are the signs that our worship of God is genuine."

Please, kindly permit me to finally cite the final part of the Pope's address to the Muslim Ummah at Umayyad mosque: "As we make our way through life towards our heavenly destiny, Christians feel the company of Mary, the mother of Jesus; and Islam too pays tribute to Mary and hails her as ‘chosen above the women of the world' (Qur'an III: 42). The Virgin of Nazareth, the Lady of Saydnaya, has taught us that God protects the humble and ‘scatters the proud in the imagination of their hearts' (Luke 1: 51). May the hearts of Christians and Muslims turn to one another with feelings of brotherhood and friendship, so that the Almighty may bless us with peace which heaven alone can give. To the one, Merciful God be praise and glory for ever. Amen."

Distinguished brothers and sisters, forgive my rather long message and the presentation style. I was only aware I was going to deliver this message Tuesday last week; and I had to scribble this message amidst conflicting and crowded schedule. I thought, if the notice was more adequate, this message would have been half as short; and possibly twice as good, both in content, context and presentation.

However, I take solace in Galatians 22:1 that "... when the Holy Spirit control over our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us. Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control".

My hope is that, my friend, Silas, for extending this invitation, will feel justified in taking the decision to provide me with this unique and historic platform to share with you these feelings of shared brotherliness, and indeed all those who supported his decision to do so. I thank you all for your kindness.

Also, let me re-state my love for you all, again finding inspiration in John 4:7: "Dear Friend, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Any one who loves is a Born of God."

In conclusion, my fellow brethren, the youth in particular; let us note that we attract what we expect; we reflect what we desire; we become what we respect and we mirror what we admire. Where we are today and what we will become tomorrow is as a result of the decisions we have made in life. Our decisions determine our destiny.

Therefore, I have decided:

In our determination
To build a new nation
Worthy of emulation
There should be no hesitation.

I urge you, very strongly, in line with the theme of this convention to "Go into the whole world and proclaim good news." (Mark 16:15)

I profoundly thank you for your attention and patience.

Zayyan Tambari Yabo.
24th August 2006
 
 
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