Muslim-Christian Relations in Muslim Predominant States: A Case Study of Zanzibar
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Date
2017
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
Christianity has been in existence since the 1st Century in the Middle East. Islam was founded by Prophet Muhammad, born around 570 C.E in Mecca. Hence encounter between Muslims and Christians can be traced back to the 7th century. The Bible and Qur’an are the deposits of faith for Christians and Muslims respectively. From a religious point of view, both Muslims and Christians agree that they share in common origin, common humanity and common destiny. They all believe in One Creator of all that exists and who will judge them in the life to come. On the other hand, the animosity that exists between Muslims and Christians is influenced by differences in their truths of faith and relations over centuries. History has records of good and bad relations between Muslims and Christians. In this work, I intend to examine Muslim-Christian relations with particular reference to Zanzibar. Generally speaking, the relations between Muslims and Christians still leave much to be desired. There have been tension and animosity in different Muslim predominant states where Christians are minorities. They include countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia and Zanzibar. This arose curiosity in me to examine what transpires in Zanzibar where Christians are a minority. I lived in Zanzibar in the whole of 2014. As a Christian I had much fear of the Muslims, based on the perceived image the world has about Muslims and Islam. There is a common notion that “every terrorist is a Muslim but not every Muslim is a terrorist.”
This comes as the aftermath of world terrorism in which Muslims are perceived to be ringleaders.
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Personally I consider Zanzibar to be a special case and a role model as far as the relation between Muslims and Christians is concerned. Despite some few challenges between Muslims and Christians, Zanzibar still stands as an island where peaceful co-existence reigns.
In this work I endeavor to tackle the following questions: How did Muslim and Christian communities emerge in Zanzibar? How are the relations between Muslims and Christians like in Zanzibar? What are the causes of some incidences of animosity between Muslims and Christians in Zanzibar? How do Christians perceive Muslims in Zanzibar and vice versa? I will also examine the efforts both religious groups make to improve Muslim- Christian relations in Zanzibar.
I expect that this work will be resourceful and helpful to people who are committed to work for peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in Zanzibar. It is an eye opener with regard to Muslim-Christian relations over centuries. This work is a call for change of perspective about Muslims as enemies or dangerous people.
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Keywords
Muslim-Christian, Muslim, Zanzibar, Contemporary Christian, Interfaith Dialogue