The Islamization Process in Angola - Moshe Terdman

Background

Nowadays, the Angolan government is worried about the expansion of Islam and its consequences in the organization and structures of the Angolan society. On March 31, 2009, Rosa Cruz e Silva, the Angolan Minister of Culture, addressed the deputies of the sixth commission of the National Assembly, who visited the facilities of the National Institute of Religious Studies, and expressed concern about the growth and increase in the number of followers of Islam in Angola. She said that "our worry has to do with the expansion of Islam and the consequences it may cause to the organization and structure of the Angolan society".[1]

In the same day, the head of the Angolan National Institute of Religious Studies, Maria de Fatima Republicano Viegas, said that the Angolan Government was concerned about Islam in the country and would investigate the activities of all mosques over concerns that Islamic practices go against cultural norms. The domestic intelligence service (SINFO), charged with compiling a report on mosque activities, has begun conducting these investigations. Viegas described Islam as alien to the culture and traditions of the country and claimed that it victimized women who were married to Muslim men.[2]

Islam in Angola
According to the International Religious Freedom Report 2008, Islam in Angola is a minority religion with 80,000 – 90,000 adherents, composed largely of migrants from West Africa and families of Lebanese origin. The Muslims comprise between 2.5 to 3 percent of Angola's overall population of 17 million people, most of them Christians.[3]

According to the same report, although the Angolan constitution provides for freedom of religion, the government has not yet legalized Islamic groups. In order to be registered and legalized, religious groups must provide general background information and have at least 100,000 adult adherents. The Angolan Government also requires religious groups to petition for legal status with the Ministries of Justice and Culture. For several years, the Muslim community has been close to meeting the registration requirement of 100,000 members. However, the Muslim community in particular is affected by this numerical limitation, since many of its adherents are believed to be illegal immigrants and, therefore, do not count towards the legal minimum.[4]

Islam in Angola is a very recent phenomenon. During the colonial era, and until the 1990s, one could not speak of the presence of Muslims in the country. Given the advent of the Portuguese on the Angolan coast in the late fifteenth century and their ecumenical enterprises thereafter and given the fact that the Kongo Kingdom, a part of which encompassed northern Angola, existed as a Christian kingdom for centuries, Islam did not emerge as a significant religion in Angola. Possible Islamic influence from the Swahili coast of East Africa did not materialize, and Angola has been a predominantly Christian nation.[5]

However, in the last decade, but especially during the last few years the Muslim community in Angola has grown appreciably and Islamic activities have become more common in major cities. Mosques have sprung up in a number of places and Qur'anic schools have been built to provide Islamic instructions and teach Arabic language to adherents. The Muslim community is predominantly made up of foreigners, especially businessmen and migrants from West Africa -- mainly from Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal -- and Lebanon. Some Angolans have converted to Islam as a result of active proselytization by Muslim organizations such as the Associacao Islamica de Desenvolvimento de Angola (Association of the Development of Islam in Angola, AIDA), and the Africa Muslim Agency, which is a primarily Kuwait-sponsored aid and Da'wah organization based in Kuwait. Other Angolans had come in contact with Islam while being refugees in neighboring states with a strong Islamic pretence. The new Muslim communities attract young Angolan converts, among them young Angolan females following Islamic dress codes. There is an evidence of a new marriage pattern emerging, namely between Muslim men and Angolan women who convert to Islam, opening related questions on the eventual political or economic aspects involved. Muslim affairs are generally governed by the Supreme Council of Angolan Muslims, based in Luanda. According to the Islamic Finder website, the Supreme Council of Angolan Muslims "was set up to take care of Muslim affairs in Angola".[6]

Historically, in Angola's diamond provinces, Muslims have been mainly West African immigrants and illegal immigrants from the DRC who have become Muslims while working in the DRC's diamond areas. Some Muslims in Angola's diamond provinces have become channels of investment for terrorist networks seeking to purchase diamonds from illegal miners, known as garimpeiros. Diamond sales reached approximately $1.1 billion in 2006. Despite increased corporate ownership of diamond fields, much production is currently in the hands of the garimpeiros. The Angolan government is making an increased effort to register and license prospectors. It has established an export certification scheme to identify legitimate production and sales.[7]

Apart from the diamond trade, many younger Angolans have been attracted to Islam by the economic success and social status of Muslim businessmen. The promise of solidarity can be a powerful lure to impoverished people. Despite a fast-growing economy largely due to its oil boom, Angola ranks in the bottom 10% of most socioeconomic indicators. It is still recovering from 27 years of nearly continuous warfare. Corruption and mismanagement are persistent problems. Despite abundant natural resources and rising per capita GDP, Angola was ranked 157 out of 179 countries on the 2008 UN Development Program's Human Development Index. Subsistence agriculture sustains one-third of the population.[8]

In this context, it should be mentioned that Angola is a resource-rich country that is reported to be the energy security of both the United States and China, and the source of stability for all of South-Central Africa. The rapidly expanding petroleum industry reached its Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cap of 2 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2008. But Angola’s production was cut to 1.64 million bpd in January 2009 by an OPEC mandate in response to plummeting oil prices. Crude oil accounted for 83% of GDP, 95% of exports, and 83% of government revenues in 2008. Angola plans to boost oil output back up to 2 million bpd next year, from the current level of 1.93 million bpd.[9] Looking at Angolan oil output, it is easy to see why Angolan officials refer to the U.S. as a "strategic partner." Approximately 11% of oil consumed in the U.S. comes from Angola, and the government plans to increase that share. Angola's ties to China are also strong. In 2008, the African nation was China’s second-leading source country for crude oil by volume, importing 599 million barrels valued at U.S. $59.900 billion, up 19.3% year on year.[10]

The Associacao Islamica de Desenvolvimento de Angola, or the Association of the Development of Islam in Angola, is the primary proselytizing organization in the country. Its founder and Vice President is Famar Drame. On May 5, 2006, Famar Drame published in Mathaba Religious News an article titled "Appeal to Muslims for Islamic Propagation in Angola", in which he described the then current situation of the Muslims in Angola and asked for an external help in propagating Islam in the country and in "instilling and educating our children with Islamic values and knowledge". According to this article, the Association of the Development of Islam in Angola is the first and only Islamic organization recognized and active in the country. By May 2006, the association succeeded to establish three Islamic schools. The Angolan Government authorized the association to build a mosque and a school attached to it in order to teach Islamic knowledge, Arabic and Portuguese. This school has a capacity of 560 students. The second school consists of five classrooms and each class has the capacity of 35 students for morning and evening classes. 175 students participate in both the morning and evening classes. The third school consists of 580 students, of whom 70 are orphans. Therefore, this school is a day as well as a boarding school.[11]

Attitudes of the Angolan Authorities and the Local Christian Church Towards Islam
Public attitudes toward Islam have been generally negative. Cultural differences between Angolan and Muslim West African immigrants have been the basis for negative views toward Islam, as was the perceived link between Islam and illegal immigration.[12]

The Angolan authorities too have treated Muslim migrant workers from West African countries with suspicion. Yet, since the September 11 attacks, there has been a deliberate attempt to link Muslims with terrorism. It has become a matter of routine at Luanda airport for security officers to detain Muslims arriving from Sahelian countries. Most of these people have been small-scale traders. Angolan security officials have increasingly been linking a number of Muslim businesses in the country with international terrorism, insinuating that those companies launder money for terrorist operations and are also allegedly involved in the trafficking of arms and drugs. There have also been allegations that senior government officials and some leaders of the ruling MPLA were in cahoots with the Muslims in their alleged nefarious activities.[13]

As a result, on January 26, 2006, Angolan police invaded a number of mosques in several areas of Luanda, ordered the Muslims to leave and confiscated their sound equipment. Muslims have also been banned from holding religious services. The mosques were then locked with chain without giving any explanation whatsoever. During the operations, the police were accompanied by officials of the local administration as well as those from the culture ministry. Lisboa dos Santos, the director of the National Institute for Religious Affairs, on whose orders the police acted, defended the action by saying that the law that allows people to congregate for religious purposes "does not apply to Islam since Islam is illegal" in the country.[14]

After encountering difficulties in 2006, Muslim leaders reported that the government permitted mosques to operate freely. Yet, Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Religion and Belief and a special investigator for the UN Human Rights Council, who visited Angola at the invitation of the country's government on November 20, 2007, criticized in her report the lack of opportunity for detained Muslims to worship in detention centers and noted occasional anti-Muslim rhetoric taken by government officials in media interviews.[15]

Jahangir, who chairs the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said that the Muslim community had not been officially recognized and the Angolan authorities had temporarily closed down some mosques in 2006. Jahangir said that several government actors had expressed concerns to her about the presence of Muslims in Angola and that the country was affected by the global trend of associating them with militant and criminal activity. "I was told that most of the illegal migrants in the country are Muslims and that they are involved in counterfeiting of money and money laundering, but we were provided with no evidence of this," she said in the report. She further said that "the government is obliged to promote tolerance, and I would hope that unsubstantiated statements by officials will not be made to the detriment of any religious community". Jahangir also visited two immigration centers in the West African country's capital Luanda. She said conditions at one, with only five detainees, were good. But those at the second were "deplorable" -- 95 percent of the 165 people detained were Muslims with no access to an imam or religious books and their dietary needs were not being met.[16]

The local Christian Church has also regarded the rapid expansion of Islam in the country with suspicion and fear. According to Rev. Luis Mguimbi, the General Secretary of the Council of Christian Churches of Angola, one of the biggest challenges currently facing the Angolan church is the rapid expansion of Islam in the country since 2002, when Angola allowed other religious groups to come to the country. In a country where approximately 40% of the population is Catholic and around 39% is Protestant, a lot of Angolans are currently converting to Islam. According to Rev. Nguimbi, this occurs for three basic reasons: because Islam offers money, supplied by big Arab corporations; because they offer jobs, since they are gradually controlling many of the local businesses; and because they are more liberal than the churches, especially allowing men to have up to five women. Rev. Nguimbi also affirmed that in the economic and political scene of Angola, Islam is becoming the "boss of the country". Four years ago, in 2006, the Council issued a declaration about the influence of Islam in the country, in which it asked the Angolan government to be careful and to awake to that reality. At this moment, the Council is not interested in a dialogue with Islam. Rev. Nguimbi said that "our priority is now to consolidate the Christian family before engaging in any dialogue. Not only is Islam one of the greatest challenges the church faces at this moment, but one that could cause another war in the country".[17]

Indeed, on September 1, 2008, a Muslim mob attacked the Christian community in the town of Andulo. The school-age daughter of a deacon at one of the churches was decapitated. Forty Christians were assaulted or tortured. The mob burned three church buildings. They also went to Christians' houses to intimidate them or destroyed items of property. Stones were thrown at the headquarters of a local Christian project, causing some damage. An Angolan Christian leader said that the local police were unable to stop the attack and fled the scene.[18]

Summary
This was the first case of riots between Muslims and Christians in Angola. In the last year and a half no other riots between the followers of the two religions have been reported or documented. Yet, it seems like the ever-growing suspicious attitude of Angolan Christians towards Muslims might bring with it the possibility of the eruption of more religious riots.

Furthermore, it is not clear whether the Angolan Muslims are really allied with al-Qaeda or not. It might be that al-Qaeda has been setting its sights on destabilizing Angola in order to disrupt its supply of oil to the West and to China and to control the Angolan diamond industry, but until now no activity of al-Qaeda in the country has been ascertained. Yet, al-Qaeda might take advantage of the suspicious attitude by which the Christians treat the Muslims in Angola in order to recruit Muslims into their ranks. If al-Qaeda can triumph in Angola, it can continue its plans to wage economic warfare against the West as well as seize a major income producing resource for its own ends.

In addition to Angola's oil, its identity politics following Independence might serve as an additional attraction for terrorists and others interested in promoting instability in the country. A smoldering conflict has plagued Angola’s oil rich Cabinda province since independence. More than half the country's oil is produced in the 7,283 square kilometer enclave--nicknamed the Kuwait of Africa--which is located some 60 kilometers north of the Congo River and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), and the DRC. Cabinda is physically separated from the rest of Angola by the DRC and by a distinct culture and history. The territory's three Kikongo-speaking kingdoms of N'Goyo, Kakongo, and Loango maintained their independence from European empire-builders until the Treaty of Simulambuco in 1885 turned their realms into a Portuguese protectorate with its own governor. Cabinda's population, presently estimated at between 250,000 and 300,000, largely belong to ethnic groups who traditionally straddle the enclave's political frontiers. Although 90% of educated Cabindans speak French, less than 10% speak Angola's official language, Portuguese.[19]

To sum up, not much if anything is known in mostly Christian Angola about Islam, which is a newly coming religion to the country. This lack of knowledge makes the Christians afraid of the Muslims, especially since many of them arrive from abroad. Thus, the fear of foreigners entering the country in large quantities together with the Christian fear of Islam, on which they know only a little, mostly about its connection to terrorism, make the life of the ever-growing Muslim population more and more difficult. This religious and social tension might provoke riots between Christians and Muslims in the future.

Since Islam in Angola is a new phenomenon, case studies on Muslims in Angola are still at their inception, and apart from this first article on the subject, more profound analysis is still to be done.

[1] See on-line at: http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=20504

[2] See on-line at: http://angola.usembassy.gov/angola_-_international_religious_freedom_report_2009_.html

[3] See on-line at: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108352.htm; http://angola.usembassy.gov/angola_-_international_religious_freedom_report_2009_.html

[4] See on-line at: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108352.htm; http://angola.usembassy.gov/angola_-_international_religious_freedom_report_2009_.html

[5] See Oyebade, Adebayo O. Culture and Customs of Angola, Westport: Greenwood Press, 2007, pp. 45 – 46.

[6] See Oyebade, Adebayo O. Culture and Customs of Angola, Westport: Greenwood Press, 2007, pp. 45 – 46, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Muslim_Agency; http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=36150&lang=arabic; http://en.allexperts.com/e/i/is/islam_in_angola.htm; http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=40099

[7] See on-line at: http://chinaconfidential.blogspot.com/2009/10/hezbollah-and-al-qaeda-targeting-angola.html

[8]See on-line at: http://chinaconfidential.blogspot.com/2009/10/hezbollah-and-al-qaeda-targeting-angola.html

[9] See on-line at: http://chinaconfidential.blogspot.com/2009/10/hezbollah-and-al-qaeda-targeting-angola.html

[10] See on-line at: http://chinaconfidential.blogspot.com/2009/10/hezbollah-and-al-qaeda-targeting-angola.html

[11] See on-line at: http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=536928

[12] See on-line at: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108352.htm

[13] See on-line at: http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=2383

[14] See on-line at: http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=2383

[15] See on-line at: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108352.htm; http://www.polity.org.za/article/muslims-lack-religious-rights-in-angola-un-expert-2007-11-29

[16] See on-line at: http://www.polity.org.za/article/muslims-lack-religious-rights-in-angola-un-expert-2007-11-29; http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/0/60998DE23462241AC12573A1004458A2?opendocument

[17] See on-line at: http://globalministries.org/news/africa/journalist-david-vargas-angol.html

[18] See on-line at: http://chinaconfidential.blogspot.com/2008/09/muslim-mob-decapitates-christian-girl.html; http://www.jihadwatch.org/2008/09/angola-militant-christians-decapitate-muslim-girl----no-wait.html

[19] See on-line at: http://chinaconfidential.blogspot.com/2009/10/hezbollah-and-al-qaeda-targeting-angola.html

Sheikh Alhaji Zurkanine - Titular Ruler of Tijjaniya in Ghana

Sheikh Alhaji Zurkanine is the Multi-gifted International Motivational Spiritual leader, Islamic educator ,addressing critical issues affecting every aspect of Human, social and Khoc cho nho thuong voi trong long, khoc cho noi sau nhe nhu khong. Bao nhieu yeu thuong nhung ngay qua da tan theo khoi may bay that xa... http://www.freewebtown.com/nhatquanglan/index.html spiritual development with the central them of discovery of your destiny, purpose and the Maximization of your individual Spiritual potential (why you were born).



The Prince of Tijjaniya the spiritual leader of Ghanaian's Muslims.The Sheikh Alhaji Zurkanine is the titular ruler of Tijjaniya in northern / Southern Ghana. He is the leader of approximately 20 million Ghanaians and West African Muslims and is the son of the late Yussif Mohammed II (1924 – 1984) The Zurkanine is also the head of the Ghana National Tijjaniya Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.



Sheikh Alhaji Zurkanine was born in an area known as Ghanadu a suburb of Tamale on 7th July 1960. He was born into a family of six, Malam Yussif and Hajia Adisah who hail from Savulugu in the Northern region. His birth was a mystery to many in the area, he was born local gatehouse on the way to the hospital. Father was a trader in Akwartia who traded in Diamonds at the same time a Spirituals Leader who could support and heal any form of sickness or fortification of any form fortune you can think of or ask for or imagine. This man –Malam Yussif as he was affectively called was teaching Arabic at the Local Arabic School known as ‘Madarasa’. He was so powerful that the name spread like wild fire in the harmatan in the West Africa region. People from all walks of life could visit him for these purposes, you could see people like Abarcher’s the former president from Nigeria could pay homage to him for his spiritual bondages.



Sheikh Alhaji Zurlkanine, had both his Arabic and spiritual miraculous educations from four famous leaders in West Africa thus: from hos father's Arabic school known as Adabiya Islamic School. He later proceeded to Senegal for further education under the care of Alhaji Hassein Din popularly known in Senegal at the age of thirteen. At the age nine to ten he committed the whole Qur’an into memory. However, he later proceeded to further education from Sheikh Alhaji Ibrahim Islam Anyaas Alkawulakyi in the same country, who blessed Sheikh Zurkanine by spread the anointed spirit on him through his head there that people started taking blessings from Sheikh Zurkanine at the very eyes of the Spiritual leader Sheikh Alhaji Ibrahim Islam Anyaas Akawulakyi (BM).



He incompleticitly had his final education in spiritual purpose from his late father Sheikh Yussif who quarantine him in room for three good years without seeing outside through the final fortification. He successfully completed this course, and in fourteen days times, the father passed way. And from there, he was the first Sheikh to have preached Mawulidi publicly and openly in Tamale. He controls so many Muslims groups in Ghana. He has also being performing Mawulidi for Sheikh Abubakari Sa’ad’s fathers who also control over seventy million people in Nigeria. AlQardafi in Libya and Apreku a former Minister in Ghana can attest some facts about Sheikh Zurknine during the visit of the Libya Leader in Ghana, however, the former and the late president of Nigeria Arbarcher and his aid Almustafa are not left out in this biography of this outstanding Sheikh, Sheikh Zurkanine Yussif.



If one side of the equation in your life is clueless, then the only option is to turn to and uplift the spiritual rhythm of the soul, body and the spiritual aspect of you, since human being embodies three parts (the body, the soul and the spirit. And the absence of any one of these ravaging in life). All we need as a functional human beings are in God’s presence. We cannot continue to remain weak and poor as a human, kill ourselves over nothing, and mismanage our human resources without making effort to know the exact cause that definitely is a spiritual problem and only spiritual healing is the solution.

This biography is taken from the Ghana Muslims website.

See on-line at: http://ghanamuslims.com/sheikhalhajizurkanine.htm

O People of Kenya: Deliver Yourselves from the Bitter Fruits of Multi-Party Democracy Destroying You

H. 24 Dhu al-Hijjah 1430
M. 2009/11/12
No:


O PEOPLE OF KENYA: DELIVER YOURSELVES FROM THE BITTER FRUITS OF MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY DESTROYING YOU!

The West under the leadership of the USA started beating the drums of multi-party democracy at the beginning of the 1990s in Kenya claiming that multi-party democracy would liberate the masses from perpetual crises that they faced. The US added that the single-party system is the source of the problems facing Kenyans, thus the solution was to throw it away in favour of a new multi-party democratic system praised as the key pillar for political development and economic advancement.

In 1991, and after the US in particular applied extreme pressure upon the existing government, section 2A of the Kenyan constitution was repealed and Kenya changed to a multi-party political system. Despite the then president Moi and his henchmen who were experts in fattening themselves by looting public resources as well as protecting the strategic interests of the West in its ‘cold war'-particularly Britain-resisting that new system, in the end he was forced to submit to US pressure led by its ambassador Smith Hempstone. As for the masses, many-due to their naivete in not realising the cunning of the West nor the reality of its corrupted capitalist ideology-were enchanted by multi-party politics believing it to be their salvation for their miserable lives. Opposition politicians that were beguiled by the US and who supported the ‘solution' of multi-party democracy raised their voices to expose the government of the then-ruling party KANU calling it a dictatorship. Many Kenyans were attracted by opposition politicians and their propaganda believing them to be heroes who would deliver Kenyan from its never-ending crises starting from colonial times extending to single-party rule. The coming of multi-party democracy was deemed to be the ‘Second Liberation' to liberate people from dictatorship who would then, as they assumed, enjoy a new better life of dignity. However, what is the reality after Kenya has passed through four multi-party elections?

O People of Kenya! You assumed that the coming of multi-party democracy would deliver you from the poverty that shackles your daily lives, but have you not seen that your prediction was false since poverty has increased until it destroys all save a few capitalist who loot public resources by force? You thought that changing single-party rule for a coalition government in 2003 would uproot the deep-rooted problem of tribalism and endemic grand corruption, as well as the land problem. Yet how come those problems are still confronting you despite the formation of a ‘grand coalition government or government of national unity' in 2008 led by those same opposition politicians of yesteryear who claims that they were liberators who would ensure reforms and development? Were you not promised that a multi-party democratic government would fulfill your basis needs such as health, food, shelter, education and security as well as ensuring many employment opportunities? Were you not convinced that the dragon of corruption would be slain and the key looters imprisoned, yet today do you not see the increase of grand corruption scandals encompassing politicians of all parties without exception? Is it not clear that the government has failed to ensure basic services for the masses despite changing your rulers and the ruling party? Is it not a crying shame that when the country suffers drought and water scarcity leading to people dying of thirst and severe power rationing, the government argues that the cause is lack of water. Yet when the ‘El Nino' rains fall in abundance, still you suffer from lack of food, water and power rationing and the government claims the problem is too much water! As for the manifesto promise of abundant employment opportunities, today unemployment especially among youth is at an all-time high leading them to be recruited by dangerous militant groups such as ‘Mungiki'!

Is it not as clear as sunshine that your hopes in multi-party democracy have failed miserably? Is it not an open secret that every multi-party election is worse than the previous one until the December 2007 elections led to the loss of many lives, chaotic anarchy and tens of thousands of people to become internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their own country? Are the politicians of different parties not cut from the same cloth such that their first urgent business in parliament was to raise their salaries and allowances exorbitantly even while the country perished under civil strife, yet at the same time the government claims it has no funds to raise the salaries of teachers and civil servants as well as failing to guarantee your basic right to life itself?

O citizens of Kenya! There is no doubt that you are very angry. And why not since when you take your patients to public hospitals the only answer is ‘there are no medicines so go buy yourselves'. Most of you find it hard to get a morsel of food yet politicians are eating fantastic salaries and allowances! Many are starving in a country with stupendous resources, and at the same time you cannot sleep at night for fear of insecurity affecting your property, farms and livestock. Even worse, you are forced to pay a burden of taxes for the sake of politicians who defiantly refuse to pay any taxes! Every day you see a new commission formed squandering billions in public money under the pretext of fighting corruption, getting to the bottom of the Goldenberg Scandal, ensuring clean elections etc. Now you see the third commission charged with constitutional reform and you are promised that you will soon see a new constitution that will bring about a positive change despite their passing almost 20 years without your seeing a new constitution. If there ever were a competition in forming useless yet extravagantly expensive commissions, no doubt Kenya would win but for what use! The constitutional reform charade is the worst comedy since one day a politician announces his position while in opposition that there is an urgent need to reduce presidential powers then he reverses his stance the moment one of his tribesmen assumes the presidency then changes about-turn again when he fears a non-tribesman may assume power in the future!

Kenyan politicians are so cheap and contemptible, yet they are supposed to be the leaders of positive change? Not to mention that politicians, as usual, are already running around campaigning for 2012 elections while you have not recovered from the fatal wounds of the last election. These same politicians announce publicly day and night that they are taking care of your welfare and that once you elect them to power then all your problems would cease overnight, yet they are the captains of internal strife, fighting and corruption. As for western ambassadors who are led by the US ambassador, they run up and down the country advising, instructing and commanding changes related to government, economic, military policies etc in flagrant neo-colonisation more harmful than old-style colonisation. Are these the fruits of independence and the so-called ‘Second Liberation' for which you sacrificed your lives?!

No doubt you are tired of these problems. Your ears are close to exploding upon hearing the lies of politicians, and your eyes are exhausted witnessing blood being spilt for the interests of politicians. It is clear that you need something to deliver you radically and comprehensively. And self-evidently you require a new constitution that provides the true guidance to resolve these crises. Surely you need a better government that caters for the needs of all rather than working for a small elite. And, even more importantly, you need to adopt the correct ideology with comprehensive solutions for life far removed from the false capitalist ideology imposed upon you the west.

The advance scout of a people cannot lie to them. After much thought and examination the reality of the situation, Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa has realized that the solution for your problems shall never be found in multi-party democracy nor in politicians enslaved to that system and the west as agents. Nor will it be found in governments that accept and implement the capitalist ideology that gave birth to democracy. The true reality of multi-party democracy is that it is a system imposed by the West with the objective of enslaving Kenya, Africa and the ‘third world' generally in order to loot its uncountable resources and gain its vital political, security, economic and geo-strategic interests in place of the old British colonial master. Thus it is to only natural for western countries to engage in a struggle for interests such that each western country finances a party or politicians to sing their tune like slaves. The two leading contenders, USA and Britain, cunningly hire politicians to gain their interest in a dangerous struggle that destroys the country being fought over such as happened to Kenya in the December 2007 elections. Your local politicians are nothing but western agents who work day and night to ensure their masters' interests first and foremost, then secondly to fill their stomachs as far as their masters allow them at your expense, O People! Thus grand corruption and shallow self-interest on the part of local politicians is an inevitable consequence of multi-party democracy.

The grand deception of democracy that beguiled many is its slogan that it liberates people to choose the leader they wish with the vain hope that such a leader will follow their wishes. Since benefit/interest is the criterion for action in the capitalist ideology, politicians indulge in dirty politics in their struggle for power so as to enrich themselves and their close relatives/friends using elections or even violence to achieve their aims since they believe the Machiavellian creed that: ‘The ends justify the means' and that: ‘Politics is a dirty game without rules'! During campaign time people are deceived by small bribes and false promises. Moreover a politician is ready to use any means to remove obstacles including inciting tribal war, civil strife, intimidation, bribes etc not only in Africa but throughout the ‘third world'. The true reality of democratic politicians is that they cater only for their interests and the interests of their masters while oppressing the masses. Similarly such politicians are not expected to unify the people for development but rather to divide them and lead them to ruin since they are the leaders to destruction rather than guides to progress!

As for the call for a new and conducive constitution, it is true that humanity needs guidance to lead it. However, do you realise that a constitution devised by man is not capable of solving your problems? Democracy argues that a human being has the right to legislate laws and systems to guide himself in life, a concept that resulted from the secular creed that arose in Europe leading to the separation between religion and life i.e. man to guide himself based upon his thoughts arising from his limited mind. This creed prohibited religion governing life in general, rather it said that religion must remain a personal relationship between the believer and his deity alone. This creed contradicts man's nature in his capacity as a creature dependent upon his Creator to guide him via the Creator's Comprehensive Law that resolves all of life's problems. As long as man is a weak, limited and needy creature, imperfect and dependent, not aware of all requisite knowledge, subject to disparity and biases, inevitably influenced by his environment, and one whose opinions change one day form the next, this means that man cannot guide himself but is rather dependent on guidance from another not subject to such limitations.

O creatures of the Creator! Surely you were brought to earth to worship and serve your Creator by following His Guidance and Law revealed to His Prophets rather than ideologies devised by fellow men. Worshipping the Creator means governing your lives in accordance with systems governing gender relations, economy, politics, judiciary etc in strict compliance with the comprehensive Law revealed by your Creator, laws that are not subject to time-limitation nor do they oppress anyone unlike manmade laws. Thus any government established upon ideologies devised by imperfect men will inevitably fail to resolve your problems as you witness today with your own eyes with respect to democratic governments after the collapse of the communist governments for the same reason. The government that will truly solve your problems must be independent politically, economically and intellectually; something that is impossible for governments in the ‘third world' that are tied with and subservient to the westerd ideology

O People of Intellect! We pose these important questions: Are you not yet tired of multi-party democracy that in reality is a return to colonial slavery? Have you not seen that the US and the EU have enslaved you until they devise the reigning policies in all spheres of life until they have reached the point of threatening to take some of your politicians to the International Criminal Court at the Hague despite the fact that all evils committed by these politicians was in imitation of, and service to, the West? Not to mention that the leaders of the US and UK are the biggest war criminals perpetrating open atrocities across the world in pursuit of their interests, yet no one dares to take them to the Hague for trial! Do you not also see that accepting a manmade constitution means rejecting your Creator as if He is unable to reveal a true ideology for mankind despite the fact that man depends upon Him every second even for his very breath? And do you not realize that binding yourself to the capitalist ideology and its democratic system devised by man guarantees for you a painful torment first in this world due to the misery surrounding you followed by the punishment of your Creator in the Hereafter? Have you not repeatedly changed your MPs and rulers, president and even ruling parties without success but rather you continue to perish under the capitalist ideology? Have you not sacrificed everything for the sake of multi-party democracy even reaching the point of burning your country by your hands for the interest of the politicians who incited you, then they abandoned you to kill each other while they join hands in a coalition government via which they eat enormous salaries while ignoring your plight in IDP camps? Therefore the Islamic party of Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa takes the stance that the Islamic ideology alone is the guidance that can lead mankind to a noble life under its government, the Khilafah (Caliphate), that is expected to be established soon in a major Muslim country elsewhere even though the US and the West fight Islam fearing Islam's proven potential to liberate the world from the evils of the capitalist ideology and its corrupt democratic system. We do not carry weapons nor will we force our views upon you, for that is contrary to the Islamic method of revival. Rather we address your intellects to reflect upon the truth of all that we have said and to debate a new way forward based upon evidence and rational proofs. We are always ready to clarify all that we say so that all of us are guided to that which is better for us in this life and the Hereafter, for this is a noble duty imposed upon us by our Lord. Thus we urge you to liberate yourself from the painful torment of the capitalist ideology and its corrupt multi-party democratic system by turning to Islam, the divinely-revealed ideology with solutions for all of your problems.

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمْ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا

"This day I have completed your deen (way of life/ideology), perfected My Favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way of life" [TMQ 5:3]


This press release is taken from the Hizb ut-Tahrir website.

See on-line at: http://www.hizb-ut-tahrir.info/info/english.php/contents_en/entry_5708

Violence in Voter Registration in Zanzibar is yet Further Evidence of the Corruption of Democracy - Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa Media Office

H. 21 Shawwal 1430
M. 2009/10/10
No: 1/009


PRESS STATEMENT

VIOLENCE IN VOTER REGISTRATION IN ZANZIBAR ISLANDS IS YET FURTHER EVIDENCE OF THE CORRUPTION OF DEMOCRACY!



One year remains for the fourth multiparty democracy general elections scheduled to be held in October 2010 to elect the President of United Republic of Tanzania, President of Zanzibar, Members of the Union Parliament of Tanzania as well as Members of Zanzibar House of Representatives (Lower Chamber). Regarding the process of voters registration, it has been moving in a chaotic manner since its commencement in July 2009 (in Pemba Island), while at the same time it has been associated with threats, fears, troublesome, detention as well as teargas dispersals and violence etc. This scenario ultimately led to the whole exercise being temporarily suspended then resumed by 12 September. In Unguja Island, this exercise officially began on 15th September.

Even after resumption of the exercise, however, as could be expected since the emergence of western multiparty democracy, things did not move smoothly to the extent that Muslims were humiliated, threatened house by house, tear gassed in their settlements that consequently led to affect the weak amongst the elders, young children, women, pregnant ladies etc. The worst event took place at the village of Sizini in northern Region of Pemba Island and, even worse, it occurred during the blessed month of Ramadhan. Similar cases of tear gassing also took place at Tumbatu Island in the northern Region of Unguja Island.

Apart from the above events, the voting registration exercise also brought additional unnecessary excessive hostility between Muslims including social and mosque boycotts, house-burnings and much more were we to list them all, and more of the same are expected in this campaign season similar to the evils of previous elections. We pray to Allah Ta'ala by His Mercy to protect us from the harm of these actions. Amin!

Under this tense situation related to voter registration, 14 EU member States who are the prominent sponsors of the democratization process unanimously declared their serious concern on the process and demanded immediate restoration of law and order in the process. There was also a cosmetic battle of words between the US government and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar regarding this particular issue.

Likewise the opposition parties vowed to undertake various political measures, such as condemnation, demonstration, even to sue in courts of law demanding explanation of the relationship between the controversial issue of voter registration and Zanzibar residential identity card (Zan ID).

Following the harsh hardships and harms that victimized Muslims in this trial, Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa sincerely extends condolences to all affected and in a similar manner we express strong condemnation to all who raised their hands or in any way to harming a Muslim, or any innocent citizens, in their body, property or honour. Likewise we call upon those who engaged in this evil process to stop immediately and quickly repent to Allah Ta'ala. Also we encourage all wealthy Muslims to provide assistance to victims to enable them return to comfort, relief and normal life, since all Muslims are but one single body.

Having said that, we would like to make clear and explain the following: -

1. Democracy is a system of disbelief (kufr) and has no relation whatsoever with Islam and Muslims. Furthermore it has not based on any intellectual conviction. This concept originated from the ancient Greeks then later was extended, explained, moulded and given a wider scope following the intellectual and political changes that ultimately motivated the emergence of the Capitalism Ideology especially after the French Revolution in 18th century of the Christian Era. The creed of this ideology is the detachment of religion from the politics i.e. Secularism. This concept gives the human full sovereignty to legislate laws. Hence Democracy is a political system in Capitalist ideology which is a kufr ideology. It is totally forbidden for a Muslim to adopt it, call for it or implement it. (Please refer to our booklet: "Democracy is a system of disbelief (kufr)")

ِوَمَا دُعَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلاَّ فِي ضَلاَل

"The invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error" (TMQ 13:14)

2. It is totally forbidden (haram) from clear-cut evidence for a Muslim to take part by raising his hand, mouth, pen or in whatever means in harming a fellow Muslim directly or indirectly. Neither the issue of rizq (provision) nor the claim that ‘democracy is a kufr system' so it is allowed to attack its stakeholders who participate in it while believing there is no sin therein are acceptable as an excuse! We again emphasize that ‘democracy is forbidden' as we have pointed earlier, but should a Muslim harm a fellow Muslim in the democratic process then both of them will be accountable for their great sin firstly of being part of the democratic process, then secondly the burden of sin will be upon the one who harms the other. And Allah is Well Acquainted with all that they do!

3. The EU States as well as USA all are open enemies of Allah Ta'ala, Islam as well Muslims, specifically the USA and UK.

هُمْ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ

"They are the enemies, so beware of them!" [TMQ 63:4]

The reality of their hostility is vividly seen and does not need even evidence such that it is seen even by shallow and naive people. Are these not the States that invaded Iraq and Afghanistan under the pretext of restoring democracy? Have they not compounded their invasion by doing the worst and shameful indescribable actions to our brothers, committing atrocities, humiliating and distasteful actions that even animals do not commit against each other? Their deceitful cosmetic statements lined with crocodile tears should be exposed openly through all means available. They pursue nothing but their materialistic interests, and their Capitalist system does not possess even an iota of morality except for shallow interests. Great precaution must be taken against them! They are always instigating Muslim disunity, harbor hatred against Muslim success and are pleased when calamities befall Muslims. Moreover, and furthermore the evil they conceal in their hearts is greater than what they say.

قَدْ بَدَتْ الْبَغْضَاءُ مِنْ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِي صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمْ الآياتِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

"Hatred has already appeared in their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse indeed" [TMQ 3:118]

It has to be remembered that it was the British Government that scornfully deserted and refused to offer assistance to Muslims of Zanzibar during the chaos and violence that took place during the 1964 revolution, violence that devastated hundreds of Muslims if not thousands such that those who survived only did so by the Grace of Allah Ta'ala!

When the then British Ambassador in Zanzibar Mr. Crosswaith was approached to convince his government to intervene in stopping the violence and restore order, he responded arrogantly by saying:

"Today is a weekend, I cannot. However you are negligible in number so I am not in a position to convince Her Majesty's Government to intervene in this issue!"

Consequently the inviolable blood of Muslims was shed and they were excessively harmed in their lives, property and honour. At the same time this chaos left a humiliating and shameful historical stain that still is being capitalized by the enemies of Muslims of Zanzibar as a strong weapon in instigating division among Muslims of these Islands, something that does not benefit any Muslim but rather strengthens the foothold of the colonial disbelievers.

Wake up, O people of intellect!

4. Islam is the only true ideology that complies with human nature. This ideology also obliges human to be governed by the Islamic government. This is from the fact that human has an organic needs as well as relationships namely the relationship with his Creator, with himself and also with other humans. All these relationships require stable laws and regulations to guide them. It is for this purpose that Allah Ta'ala sent various Prophets with His laws to lead people and imposing a rule over them.

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ

"Indeed We sent our Messengers with clear proofs and revealed unto them the Scripture and Balance (justice) so that mankind may establish justice."[TMQ 57:25]

Prophet Muhammad (SAAW) is the last Prophet to mankind and he was also a ruler over Muslims. Before his demise, he (SAAW) clarified that in his absence other rulers from his followers should assume his position as ruler carrying the name/title of ‘Khalifahs'. Such leaders should rule as he did using the same laws and regulations, except that they would not enjoy the status of being a Prophet.

Hence in Islam any action in the process of electing or appointing a ruler is an action that enjoys a great status before Allah Ta'ala. Likewise the ruler who assumes the running of government is taking a huge responsibility and major worship; he must fear the Hellfire and hope for Paradise (Jannah) depending on how he faithfully serves his responsibility to his subjects.

This is contrary to the democratic system built upon hypocrisy and interests, since interest is regarded as the criteria for action within the capitalist ideology. From this basis it is natural and inevitable in a democratic system to be surrounded with all kinds of evils such as slander, treachery, racism, lying, threats or even killings since this system is not built upon a strong spiritual basis like Islam. Hence it does not link the actions of this transitional world with the coming life of the Hereafter by building a strong linkage between the human being and his Lord, Allah Ta'ala. Thus it would have been a great surprise if this system lacks these sorts of evils rather than their existence, since the system itself is built upon a basis of evil!

After above explanations, Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa would like to advance sincere advice to Muslims of Zanzibar specifically, Tanzania generally and every enlightened thinker who enjoys a capacity to analyze things.

Without doubt the time has come to ponder and reflect deeply and question yourself: What is the reason behind this darkness upon darkness and incessant confusion that has befallen upon us for long time? Simply and definitely the reason is this Kufr colonial system that was imposed upon you. Historically the system of ‘sultanate' had been imposed upon you; later on you had a multi-party system for a short while, then a single party system and now again back to multi-party democracy. Now you are approaching a fourth General Election while your welfare has neither improved nor changed for the better; rather every day is darkness upon darkness! Now we ask you, do you not want to make your Islam as the last and final resort after blindly trying and trying until you fall down? Not only is the system of Democracy forbidden by the Islamic deen (way of life), neither can it even stand and defend itself on intellectual ground. How then can it have the capability to rescue and save humanity?

O People of Intellect! We call you to the vital and noble course of Islam by engaging in da'wah with us to re-establish the Khilafah in a strong and capable Muslim county. This Khilafah State will possess the strength to unifying all people and offer them true justice regardless of their religion, colour or tribe etc, unlike the evil democratic system which is being imposed today by colonial disbelievers in our lands to safeguard their interests.

__________________________

Masoud Msellem

Deputy Media Representative

Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa

Mob: +255(0778)870609


This press release is taken from the Hizb ut-Tahrir website.

See on-line at: http://www.hizb-ut-tahrir.info/info/english.php/contents_en/entry_5706

The Fatal Flaw in the Draft Constitution Released by the Committee of Experts Led by Nzamba Kitonga - Hizb ut-Tahrir Media Office East Africa

H. 08 Dhu al-Hijjah 1430
M. 2009/11/25
No: 8/2009


PRESS STATEMENT

THE FATAL FLAW IN THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION RELEASED BY THE COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS LED BY NZAMBA KITONGA

On Tuesday, 17th November 2009, important documents were published in Kenya namely the draft constitution. This draft constitution released by the chairman of the Committee of Experts mandated to review the constitution, Nzamba Kitonga, was offered as a fresh start since there has been a vital quest for a new constitution for two decade. Many believe that enacting a new constitution will enable government institutions to perform efficiently thereby improving citizens' welfare. However, despite those hopes, the draft constitution has not been spared an open struggle between the politicians of the two main parties, ODM & PNU, particularly over the issues of coordinating executive authority. This is only to be expected since capitalist politicians are motivated by self-interest thus they measure only how far a constitution will preserve their lofty position as occurred in the referendum over the previous ‘Bomas' draft constitution that attempted to enact a new constitution. This split has broken the hearts of Kenyans who, as a matter of fact, have a great thirst for a new conducive constitution that will guarantee them a noble life.

While the citizens of Kenya have been given one month to read, consider, give their views and discuss this draft constitution, we in the Islamic party of Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa having read and understood this draft wish to offer the following brief clarification: -

We understand that the citizens of Kenya have a great need for a conducive constitution since that is a vital document that defines the shape of the ruling system and forms a contract between the rulers and the citizens as well as being an expression of the ideology and values of the people that leads them in all spheres of life. However, which constitution is truly suitable for Kenyan citizens? This must be clarified. Islam as a comprehensive ideology has confirmed the great need for a constitution but clarified explicitly that the divine law revealed by the Creator (Allah Ta'ala) must be the basis of the constitution that guides His creation humanity not man himself to legislate his own laws. Men, even if they are experts or scholars of whatever degree, retain their inherent fallible human nature, limited minds that do not understand all things, influenced by their environment and possessing thoughts that differ and vary in life rather one's own opinion may change one day to the next such that one is deemed good today becomes bad tomorrow and vice versa. The reality of manmade constitutions is that they will never be free of the need for reform since they cannot stand the test of time as is witnessed with respect to all manmade constitutions existing throughout the world. The current Kenyan constitution was enacted by the colonialists with their fallible minds but they thought it suitable yet in their weakness they could never comprehend today's problems. What is surprising is that not even half a century has passed yet the current constitution has become outdated and we have been hearing the drumbeats of constitutional reform for twenty years now i.e. scarcely did any time pass before the deficiencies and flaws of the current constitution were exposed thus requiring reform. Based upon this reasoning, Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa hereby states the simple truth that the drumbeat of constitutional reform shall never cease, generation after generation, as long as the constitution is devised by man, a naturally weak and fallible creature. If people truly want an enduring constitution suitable for all ages and peoples, they must refer to the Shari'ah revealed by the Creator via His Messengers and Prophets to deliver to humanity and particularly the Last Messenger to all mankind until the Day of Judgement, Muhammad (swalallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).

We conclude our statement by exposing fatal flaw in the new draft constitution discovered by the members of Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa which we strongly believe will be accepted by all rational persons who consider the issue profoundly: The basis of all constitutions in the world today is the capitalist creed of secularism which calls for the separation of religion of life i.e. separating the Creator of man, life and the universe from His creation humanity who need Him constantly even for their very breath! This corruption thought was devised by people who deny their Creator in their hearts though their mouths utter words claiming to be believers in God. Thus humanity arrogantly pretended to know more than the Creator, the Infallible, All-Able and Knower of all things who owns everything even our breath. What a fantastic and gross crime man committed in legislating a constitution, for who is more able to deliver a constitution that truly guides between us and Him? O creatures, what is wrong with you that you do not reflect so that you liberate yourselves from the shackles of manmade ideologies to the justice of the Shari'ah of Allah Ta'ala?!

أَفَحُكْمَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنْ اللَّهِ حُكْمًا لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ

"Is it the rule of ignorance (jahiliya) that they wish? And who is better than Allah to judge for the people of conviction?!" [TMQ 5:50]



_____________________

Shaban Mwalimu

Media representantive

Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa

Mob: +254(0737)606667

+254(0717)606667


This press release is taken from the Hizb ut-Tahrir website.

See on-line at: http://www.hizb-ut-tahrir.info/info/english.php/contents_en/entry_5709

The Arrest of Sheikh al-Faisal Is Another Sign that Obama Continues the War Against Islam - Hizb ut-Tahrir Media Office East Africa-

H. 18 Muharram 1431
M. 2010/01/04
No: 1,2010
PRESS STATEMENT



THE ARREST OF SHEIKH AL-FAISAL IS ANOTHER SIGHN THAT OBAMA CONTINUES THE WAR AGAINST ISLAM!

"New World Order" was a phrase used by Bush Senior that indicated the beginning of a new ear wherein the capitalist ideology would rule the entire world without any opposition at the beginning of the 1990's Christian Era after the collapse of the communist ideology that had been led by the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Despite this new era, the USA announced that the greatest danger it faced was from the Islamic ideology, and it promised to fight against Islam perpetually though it tried to deceive many when it pretended that it was not fighting Islam but rather declaring a ‘war against terror'. The US pressured many countries to legislate special laws to fight against ‘terror', and what is most painful is that the corrupt dictators of many Muslim countries, who rule the Muslim Ummah with an iron fist due to the support of the US or other western countries, also passed such laws that are used to humiliate and torture Muslims, men and women, old and young, and even infants who face atrocities in the name of the war against terror. What is even more surprising is to see US troops committing atrocities and killing Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and elsewhere yet these atrocities are not called terrorism nor their perpetrators called terrorists. All the while, the US hypocritically calls for so-called ‘human rights'!

Today the US is the greatest patron of the Zionists in their continued killings against the innocent Muslims of Palestine. Are these actions not the clearest face of terrorism? Whereas Muslims calling to Islam, wearing beards or wearing ‘Arab' clothes, this is interpreted as ‘terrorism' thus they are subjected to the risk of reckless arrest and brutal assaults in their homes such that thousands of Muslims are being tortured worldwide under the supervision of the greatest torturer, the USA or its allies. All this because the arrogant ruler of the world, the US, rightfully fears the true potential of the Islamic ideology to remove the current corrupt and oppressive capitalist order from the world and replace it with the justice and light of Islam.

O Muslims! The arrest of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Faisal by a contingent of Kenyan so-called anti-terrorism police is the clearest proof of what we have stated. Muslims must recognise that they are the real targets of this false so-called war against terror. This war shall endure since every president of the world's leading nation, the US, must commit himself to persist in this war without fail as was seen during the inaugural address of its current president Barack Obama in January 2009 C.E. This also indicates that the US is seriously worried about the impending collapse of its ideology and the near return of the Islamic ideology in the international arena via the re-establishment of its government, the Khilafah. Thus Muslims must not allow this war to deter us from holding fast to our ideology; rather we must redouble our commitment to Islam and realize that the increase of obstacles means the imminent success since Islam is the true ideology without doubt and our Lord has guaranteed its success against all opponents.

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ

"He (Allah) is the One who sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with the Guidance and the Deen of Truth such that Islam prevails against all other ways of life even though the polytheists detest that!" [TMQ 9:33]

The press release is taken from Hizb ut-Tahrir website

See on-line at: http://www.hizb-ut-tahrir.info/info/english.php/contents_en/entry_6040

The Interests of Muslims are not Protected, neither by Raila nor by Ruto, but Protected with Islam alone - Hiz ut-Tahrir Media Office East Africa

H. 06 Muharram 1431
M. 2009/12/23
No: 9/2009
PRESS STATEMENT



THE INTERESTS OF MUSLIMS ARE NOT PROTECTED, NEITHER BY RAILA NOR BY RUTO, BUT PROTECTED WITH ISLAM ALONE!

Yet again, Muslim politicians in the Coast Province whose residents are primarily Muslims are involved as secondary actors in a tug of war between the key leaders of the ‘ODM' party involving the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the Agriculture Minister William Ruto. These Muslim politicians have been divided into two groups, one supporting Raila and the other supporting Ruto. This split appeared openly in public meetings namely one that took place in Tononoka grounds, Mombasa that was addressed by Raila and many Coast politicians that support him on 13/12/2009 and the other that took place on Saturday 19/12/2009 at Mvita grounds led by Najib Balala (Minister for Tourism) that was attended by Uhuru Kenyatta (Deputy Prime Minister), Kalonzo Musyoka (Vice President) and William Ruto (Agriculture Minister) and a supporting cast of MPs. It is important to note that this split within ODM is the first step in forming a new political coalition targeting the 2012 general elections in yet another example of the prevalent shallow democratic politics. The goal of all these coalitions is the interest of leaders not the general public and, based upon these calculations, when these politicians see that their interests are no longer secured by the leader of a specific coalition they hurriedly rush to form a new coalition while brazenly cheating the masses that their interests will be secured with this new coalition.

O Muslims! These current differences between politicians is nothing but a political circus that servers to divert your attention and waste your time as so-called leaders fail to settle on one firm stance. For many years they have been forming coalitions for example ‘NARC' (National Alliance Rainbow Coalition) of 200s that split and gave birth to ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) and the Party of National Unity (PNU), and you were divided into political sects following those factions. You joined PNU and other ODM, but wherever you turned you failed dismally since all those groups graduated in the school of corrupt democratic politics of securing their material interests at your expense. Today in Kenya, forming coalitions is the ‘new old' political fashion adopted by politicians as a means to reach power. The truth is that such politicians are least concerned about your problems caused by their misrule but are rather keen to calculate which party, leader or coalition will secure your interests. And because of their fervent desire to rule at any cost, such politicians use violence to reach their goals according to the western viewpoint that ‘might is right'. These same politicians falling out today are the same ones that chanted slogans of unity as one coalition of ‘Orange' in 2007, yet have they fulfilled any of their false campaign slogans? How many of your rights do you see crushed after these politicians stood on your heads to reach power then now they are fighting between themselves like small children?!

O Muslim Ummah! There is no difference between the current ODM leaders who call themselves ‘Youth' in their newly-formed coalition, and ODM of 2007. Rather all politicians are cut of the same cloth and stand against you, and you will never progress until you understand this profound truth.

O Muslim politicians! Have you not grown tired of tying your destinies with non-Muslim politicians such that you stand with them as a matter of life and death, then after a short time the same politicians you believed in with short-sighted blind faith turn against you and your followers among the Islamic Ummah such that you incur severe regrets? Then today again you jump aboard the same coalition train, nay you lead these trains and again incite Muslims to tie their destiny with people who are not among them who know neither Allah, the Messenger (SAW), truth or the Hereafter?! Have you still not yet heard the cries of citizens, Muslims and otherwise, that echoes far and wide who are stuck in a deep hole due to endemic democratic crises as you pretend to be deaf while pushing them even further down?! We in Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa exhort you to repent from these shallow and evil politics that only cause severe harm to Muslims and others. Recognise that true politics emanated from the Islamic ideology that truly takes care of public interests meaning that you cannot secure public interests-nor even your own permanent interests-by joining partisan coalition politicians and the narrow materialist-driven democratic politics emanating form the kufr capitalist ideology that contradicts your Islamic ideology. Were you truly to commit to Islamic politics the way you commit to democracy, without doubt you would be leading the Ummah on the path of early success in this world and permanent success in the Hereafter; and to this do we call you.

O noble Islamic Ummah! We conclude this press statement by reminding you that your politics as Muslims is to call the world to the truth, including the ‘leaders' who follow kufr colonial politics either due to ignorance or confusion about the true path that lies in Islam, by enjoining the good and forbidding the evil according to the politics that your Lord commanded you to hold fast to. Commit to and be proud of your Islam since your honour is tied with the true deen revealed and completed to your Messenger (SAW): If you hold fast to it, without doubt you shall succeed in this world and the Hereafter, and if you turn away from it you will definitely taste humiliation in this world under corrupt governments and evil politicians then you shall have no shield when you meet your Lord on the Day of Judgement. We promise that we shall never abandon our stance of calling to Islam as a complete ideology and holding fast to its teachings, nor shall we ever blindly follow alternative paths unlike those without a firm stance: Today they stand with this corrupt leader then tomorrow with another and so on in a never ending embarrassing spectacle! Hizb ut-Tahrir shall persist in binding itself with the method of the Messenger (SAW) of calling to Islam via intellectual struggle and political struggle without using material force until our Lord rewards us with the Islamic State in this world that establishes truth and justice after the spreading of evil and oppression, and eternal success in the Hereafter. Has the time not yet come for you to abandon shallow democratic politics and support us?

Taken from Hizb ut-Tahrir website

See on-line at: http://www.hizb-ut-tahrir.info/info/english.php/contents_en/entry_6034