http://www.africareview..../-/67h8taz/-/index.html[126 arrested over Tanzania church attacks, say police
By CITIZEN Reporters | Tuesday, October 16 2012 at 11:54
A 14-year old Tanzanian boy allegedly urinated on the Koran, leading to riots as churches were attacked.
At least 126 people have so far been arrested over Friday’s violent clashes between anti-riot police and Muslim youths protesting the alleged desecration of the Koran by a 14-year-old boy.
The riots in Dar es Salaam’s Mbagala suburbs erupted when the youths stormed a local police station demanding that the Christian boy be handed over to them “for punishment”.
The boy was allegedly told by a Muslim playmate he would turn into a snake if he urinated on the Koran, leading him to challenge the theory.
Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete has termed the clashes unacceptable and said the country’s long history of tolerance between religions should not be threatened. He visited affected churches over the weekend and urged Christians not to retaliate.
Dar es Salaam police commander Suleiman Kova said 32 of those arrested had vandalised and torched church buildings while the rest were held for taking part in the violent demonstrations.
"Mbagala is now calm and we have beefed up security so that no such incident would recur in the area,” he said over the weekend.
According to the police at least seven churches were attacked while one car was burnt and eight others had their windows smashed.
Christian clerics have called for religious tolerance to maintain peace in the country.
The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) secretary general, Fr Anthony Makundi, said the incident should remind Tanzanians of the need to embrace the culture of respecting each other’s faith.
The Council of Islamic Organisations secretary general Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda blamed the police for causing the turmoil.
“I think the police mishandled the matter. They failed to give the matter its due weight when the boy was initially sent to them. Muslims were enraged by this police laxity, making them feel sidelined,” Sheikh Mponda said.
Human rights activist Helen Kijo-Bisimba said the government had delayed in taking appropriate action.
“Had the authorities acted speedily, the matter would not have gotten out of hand,” Dr Bisimba argued.
But opposition party NCCR-Mageuzi secretary general Samuel Ruhuza attributed the incident to high levels of youth unemployment.
It is humiliating to be associated with thieves and murderers.