CONSULTING ON MUSLIM ENGAGEMENT

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000484

DEPT FOR S/P GBEHRMAN; AF/PD CANYASO

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID OEXC SCUL KPAO KISL TZ
SUBJECT: CONSULTING ON MUSLIM ENGAGEMENT

REF: STATE 71325


1. SUMMARY: Following the President's Cairo Speech, we have
consulted with various civil society groups and key target
communities to identify ways to move forward priorities outlined in
the speech. Among ideas presented by stakeholders for renewed
collaboration are opening a community center that adheres to Islamic
values which the embassy could use to host cultural events,
increasing the informal dialogue between Muslim Americans and Muslim
Tanzanians, and increasing exchange opportunities. In consideration
of Tanzania's strictly secular government and diversity of religious
beliefs (62% Christian, 35% Muslim, 3%
Hindu/Sikh/Bahai/traditional),our engagement with Muslim
communities is part of a broader outreach effort to the variety of
communities of faith in the country. END SUMMARY.


2. In Dar es Salaam, meetings with the leadership of the
Mwinyibaraka Islamic Foundation indicated a positive reaction to the
speech, with a great desire for further consultation and
interaction. Some ideas presented were co-funding of an
Islamic-friendly community center, which would provide a safe
environment conducive to Islamic values, and would provide the
embassy a platform to host cultural affairs events outside the
embassy or a private residence. Other ideas from the influential
leader of this organization were for strengthened "Sister Mosque"
relationships with U.S. mosques, and holding DVCs between Tanzanian
Muslim Groups in Secondary School and American Muslims in High
Schools.


3. The imam of a key mosque in central Dar es Salaam, who had just
returned from his IVLP program on religious tolerance, asked for
additional copies of the Cairo speech, saying that he wanted to
study the text closely before deciding how to present ideas for
further collaboration to his followers. While he is still cautious,
he was open to the idea of speaking at Islamic Secondary Schools
about his positive experience in the United States and about the
points of the speech. This imam has a radically-altered view of the
U.S. after his visit and is eager but unsure of whether being
supportive of the U.S. will make him sound like an apologist for
U.S. foreign policies that Tanzania's Muslim community does not
support.


4. In a meeting with the Mayor of Tanga, a town on the Swahili
coast, PDO received a request for direct communication and
relationship building with American Muslims, perhaps through a
sister-mosque relationship or expanded exchange visits. Tanga and
Toledo, Ohio are sister cities, and so already have a strong two-way
exchange history.


5. In consultations with educators, requests were made for
additional educational exchange opportunities, from study programs
to online courses like the successful E-Teacher program that
numerous Tanzanians have completed in the past two years.

ANDRE