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Police avert believers` clash over burial arrangements in Dar
2008-03-29 09:39:38
By Simon Mhina
A wrangle ensued between Christian and Muslim believers at a Dar es Salaam church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) yesterday over a dead body with both sides claiming to be the right group to bury it.
Reports say a group of Muslims led by Sheikh Othuma Njama, chanting slogan, ``Allah! Akbar! Allah Akbar,`` invaded the ELCT church located at Sinza area, claiming that the deceased, Paul William Goliana, was, in fact, a Muslim and should have his burial conducted under Islamic arrangements.
Speaking from the scene, eyewitnesses said the fracas started shortly after special prayers conducted at the church at around 2pm.
According to Sheikh Njama, the deceased converted to Islam from Christianity in 2004 and assumed the name of Shaib, a remark that invoked exchange of bitter words and eruption of chaos between Christians and Muslims in the gathering.
Eye witnesses said when relatives of the deceased, in white-clothes, attempted to take the deceased's coffin to the cemetery for burial, Muslims blocked the move.
A local government leader whose name could not be established immediately intervened and directed that the coffin should remain in the church pending conclusion of negotiations involving the deceased's family, Church and Muslism leaders.
According to sources, the meeting conducted at the office of the Church-leader, Rev. Tuberi, was reportedly also overwhelmed by exchange of bitter words, as the deceased's relatives were crying for being denied of their burial right.
Speaking at the meeting, Rev. Tuberi admitted that: ``It was true that the deceased converted to Islam in 2004.
However, I had spiritual consultations with Poul in 2006 and discovered that he already reconverted back to Christianity.
That`s his right.`` Paul was born in a Christian family.
His come back to Christianity, according to Church leaders, was publicly announced in November 2006.
But Sheikh Njama rejecting explanation by Church leaders and demanded that a written proof from Rev. Tuberi be furnished to justify his statements.
However, Tuberi said confession of people was more spiritual and need not necessarily involve written applications, statements or issuance of certificates.
``If one comes and confesses, we accept him or her. We only announce his or her decision before the congregation and not to other people,`` he said.
But Sheikh Njama asked Rev. Tuberi to produce written copies of the announcement on Poul`s confession made at the Church on the material day.
The cleric produced announcement booklet that showed the exact date when Paul rejoined the Church in 2006.
However, Njama dismissed the statement as forgery, as it was written by different people with different ink.
``Why should I forge church announcements?,`` questioned Rev. Tuberi, adding: \"We have weekly arrangement whereby every church leader could write announcement in the booklet at his or her own time.``
Imam Njama made public a letter written by the deceased indicating that he should be buried under Islamic arrangement.
As the wrangle went on, some Muslims chanting the slogan ``Allah Akbar,`` ambushed the coffin in efforts to grab it ready for an Islamic burial somewhere.
Police who were called to calm down the crisis, intervened and dispersed the crowd.
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