DISCUSSIONS OF ISLAM AND DEMOCRACY

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 001233 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E RMEYERS, G JFERRAO, S/P KVOLKER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2017 TAGS: PREL SCUL TZ SUBJECT: DISCUSSIONS OF ISLAM AND DEMOCRACY REF: STATE 116583 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission D. Purnell Delly for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Per reftel, Post submits the following list of Muslim officials who are known for their public support of democracy: -- Current President Jakaya Kikwete -- Former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi -- Former Prime Minister Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim ¶2. (C) The above-named are well-respected public figures who are also Muslim. Each has spoken (and continues to speak) in support of peace and democracy, both in their capacities as elected officials in Tanzania, and also in their personal capacities. Each has spoken out against violence and terrorism, notably in the context of the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam. None of the above are known for speaking publicly regarding the complementary nature of Islam and democracy, and none are particularly vocal about their own religious beliefs. However, this is typical of elected officials in mainland Tanzania, where approximately seventy percent of the electorate is non-Muslim, and politicians are reluctant to show favoritism to any religious group. ¶3. (C) Owing to their busy schedules, Kikwete and Salim are less likely to call or host the type of meeting described in reftel. However, Mwinyi is a good candidate, and if he was to play a role in calling or hosting such a meeting, he would likely be supported by a number of other prominent Tanzanian Muslims, including but not limited to those listed above. ¶4. (SBU) Post is awaiting a list of delegates to the November Ministerial meeting of the Community of Democracies, and will provide such information as soon as it is available. GREEN