Tanzanian prelates say on some levels relations with Muslims tense

Published: 2004-06-24

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (CNS) -- Islamic extremists are making Christian-Muslim relations in Tanzania "a bit tense," especially in Zanzibar, said Cardinal Polycarp Pengo of Dar es Salaam. Most Muslims are very open, but a small number of extremists, backed by Arabic petroleum money, "frighten the majority of Muslims" into not speaking against terrorism, Cardinal Pengo told a group of foreign visitors in mid-June. The cardinal said that in Tanzania it was easier for him than for a Muslim to speak against extremists. If a Muslim leader speaks against the extremists, "he is going to the same mosque as the fundamentalist" and living in the same community, "and his life is more in danger than mine," the cardinal said. He said some Christian fundamentalists in Tanzania provoke Muslims, and Muslims see all Christians as the same, "so they react very strongly against us because of this Christian fundamentalism."

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