BAKWATA hails Dr Samia, condemns violence, destruction

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Islamic Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) and Islamic institutions in the country have congratulated President Samia Suluhu Hassan for his election as the President of the country and condemned the violence and destruction that occurred on October 29, 2025, and urged the government to identify and take action against those behind the incidents.

Grand Imam Masjid Maamur, Member of Scholarly Committee (BAKWATA) and Chairman of Mwinyi Baraka Islamic Foundation (MBIF), Sheikh Issa Othman Issa made the statement when addressing media outlets today, November 14, 2025, noting that the unrest that took place on the election day left significant impact on the Tanzanian citizens, including losses, theft, destruction of property, and the deaths of innocent people during efforts to contain the violence.

Additionally,  Sheikh Issa stressed the need for the government to seek reconciliation where necessary, guided by religious teachings which emphasise that reconciliation is virtuous.

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Secretary of the Council of Clerics (Ulamaa), from the Supreme Council of Tanzania Muslims, Sheikh Hassan Chizenga, stated that reconciliation should not be used as a reward for those found to have been involved in criminal acts.

Moreover, he said that reconciliation stands for the interests of the country, but it should not benefit those involved in the crime.

The Islamic institutions reiterated their commitment to continue safeguarding and promoting peace in the country, saying that without peace, rights cannot be demanded or realised.

According to him, the demands require calm, time, and the right environment, conditions that cannot exist amid violence.