Tanzania clerics defy critics, rally against homosexuals
By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT – The leading Muslim cleric in Tanzania has condemned the alarming moral decay in the country, particularly homosexual practices, warning of looming disasters from God if the condemned acts are not tamed.
“Neither holly religious books nor the laws of Tanzania accept such terrible acts. Religious leaders from all denominations should come out and speak out strongly against the vices,” Tanzania’s Chief Sheikh, Mufti Abubakar Zubeiry bin Ally, preached during the Mawlid celebrations yesterday to commemorate the birthday of Proohet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Mufti expressed concerns that the vices would turn the country into a barren land through destruction from God. Alhaj Abubakar cited destruction of cities narrated in the Holy Books, due to acts of homosexuality.
Minister of State in the President Office (Regional Administration and Local Governments,) Mr Suleiman Jaffo, supported the sentiments by the Mufti, urging religions to continue preaching against the immoral practices.
“We should not let these vices to continue in our country, religious leaders have an important role to curb moral decay in the society,” he pointed.
As narrated in all Holy Religious books, Sodom and Gomorrah through a Divine Judgment by God were completely consumed by fire and brimstone due to acts of homosexuality.
The sermon by Tanzania’s Mufti comes in the wake of recent threats by some European countries to freeze financial aid on what they term as ‘abuse of human rights’, especially mistreatment of homosexuals.
The European countries had expressed the concerns after the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr Paul Makonda, had ordered a clampdown on gay people.
The order was immediately disowned by the Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, Dr Augustine Mahiga based on procedural issues but the Government of President Magufuli maintains its stance against homosexuality.
Same sex relationship is a crime in Tanzania and perpetrators may face up to 30 years in jail, according to the Sexual Offences Special Provision Act (1998) and the Penal Code.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersexual (LGBTI) rights have been challenged in a number of African countries, including Mauritania, Sudan, Somalia and parts of Nigeria. Worldwide, more than 80 countries have penalized it.
In 2014, Norway and Denmark cut aid to Uganda after anti-gay legislation was endorsed by the government. Denmark diverted US $9 million dollars grant while Norway withheld around US $8 million dollars.
A European Court had recently ruled that gay marriages, now rampant in Europe, is not a human right, but still many European countries are pushing aid as a weapon to force their own culture into others.
