Tanzania: The Balukta Muslim group, any problems with the authorities past and present; nature of problem including reports of harassment, detentions, or arrests of members of this group

An article on "African Islam in Tanzania" posted on the Islam in Tanzania Website, explains that Baraza la Uendelazaji Koran Tanzania (BALUKTA) is an organization

whose 1987 constitution states that its main aim is promoting the reading of the Quaran and spreading of Islam through financial and material support to Moslem schools. The organization is also making an effort to establish and run Islamic centers and institutes for Islamic higher education. Other constitutional aims within the educational field are among others publishing and conferences. Business projects like hotels and restaurantshave also been announced. Holders of positions of trust are expected to have a sound knowledge of Islam. Compared to Warsha, characterized by its young members, BALUKTA  seems somewhat old-fashioned. In April 1993 some BALUKTA members under the leadership of its president, sheik Yahya Hussein, were involved in attacks against butcheries selling pork in Darresslaam. Three slaughterhouses were destroyed and some thirty people, including sheikh Hussein, were arrested. The background to this is that rearing and slaughtering of pigs have become common in religiously mixed areas and some Moslems have reacted vehemently (Lodhi and Westerlund Mar. 1997).

The above information is corroborated by several sources (Radio Tanzania

14 June 1993; The Indian Ocean Newsletter 8 May 1993; Africa Research Bulletin June 1993, ibid., May 1993, ibid., Apr. 1993; Xinhua News Agency 30 Mar. 1991).

Between 9 and 12 April 1993, "angry fundamentalists attacked butcheries selling pork and beat up their owners." Thirty-nine allegedly fundamentalists were arrested including the leader of Balukta, Sheikh Yahya Hussein (Africa Research Bulletin May 1993, 11020, Apr. 1993, 10985). On 28 April 1993, the government banned Balukta, and the incumbent deputy Prime-Minister, Augustine Mrema, accused it of plotting "to impose an Islamic state in Tanzania and of distributing cassettes calling for the overthrow of the government" (ibid. May 1993, 11020).

On 2 June 1993, the government reportedly "dropped charges against 13 out of 29 people charged with causing a disturbance, destroying property and robbery" and released Sheikh Yahya Hussein (ibid., June 1993, 11057).

On 17 June 1993, the government formally "disbanded" Balukta reportedly "following its involvement in issues beyond its responsibily." Furthermore, "Balukta had failed to adhere to a registration directive that demanded that it should involve itself only with the propagation of the reading of the Koran…it was established that the patrons of Balukta had received sponsorship through fraudulent means and that they had earlier been refused registration under the associations act, as required by law" (Radio Tanzania 16 June 1993).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural [Oxford]. June 1993. "Tanzania: Fundamentalist Charges Dropped."

_____. May 1993. "Tanzania: Muslim Group Banned."

_____. April 1993. "Tanzania: Islamic Plot Uncovered."

Radio Tanzania [Dar-es-Salaam]. 16 June 1993. "Tanzania: Government Disbands Council for the Propagation of the Koran." (BBC summary 18 June 1993/NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 8 May 1993. "Tanzania: An Islamic Network." (NEXIS)

Islam in Tanzania Website. Abdulaziz Y. Lodhi and David Westerlund. "African Islam in Tanzania." (NEXIS)

Xinhua News Agency. 30 March 1991. "Tanzania Moslems Urged Not to be Involved in Multi-party Movement." (NEXIS)