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