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Give hearty reception to Bush, says Bakwata
2008-02-14 11:05:34
By Correspondent Njonanje Samwel
The National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) has called on Tanzanians to turn up en masse to welcome US President George Bush who is expected in the country this week.
Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Mufti, Chief Sheikh Issa Shaaban Simba, said Bush had been invited by President Jakaya Kikwete.
He said Tanzanians should side with their leader by giving the American President a hearty welcome.
BAKWATA`s call comes hardly a day after a group of Muslims threatened to protest against the Bush visit.
Sheikh Simba said Bush`s visit was in no way connected with religion and it was wrong for people to associate it with any creed.
Bush starts a six day Africa tour this week. He will spend four of the six days in Tanzania.
``Tanzanians of all denominations need to show Americans our spirit of hospitality,`` he said.
He said President Bush`s visit would bring many blessings to the country and its people, Muslims among them.
Sheikh Simba added that Americans were good donors in areas of development, education and health, especially in the fight against malaria and HIV/Aids.
He said it was better for Tanzanians to welcome President Bush and later on, if they had any reservations, forward their grievances to President Bush in an acceptable way.
``President Bush represents millions of Muslims living in America. Any move to oppose his visit would not manifest love to fellow American Muslims,`` said Mufti Simba.
He appealed to Muslims who had threatened to protest against the tour to drop the idea because the American President had never been against Islam.
Sheikh Simba said opposing Bush`s trip amounted to violation of Islamic commandments, which required Muslims to love each other and their enemies.
He warned members of the public to be careful with dishonest Muslims, whose organizations were issuing contradictory statements, claiming they were issued by BAKWATA.
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