Press Release
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 15^th 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 18^th 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 "Caliphate" in a strong and capable Muslim county. This Khilafah "Caliphate" 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