From: Jamaaluddin al-Haidar <[log in to unmask]>
As salaamu alaikum:
Zanzibar is an island nation off the coast of East Africa. The island
proclaimed its independence from the British in 1963. In 1964, against the
popular will of the people Zanzibar was united with mainland coastal,
Tanganyika to form Tanzania. It should be noted that Zanzibar is 99% Muslim
while Tanganyika is majority Christian and animist and only 35% Muslim. The
Tanzanian governments' (mainland Tanganyika) neglect of its fiscal
responsiblities towards Zanzibar has recently provoked the ire of human
rights groups around the globe.
The central government "tolerates" Islam and concedes some priveleges to its
Muslim citizens. However, it's enmity towards development of Islamic
institutions is chronicled. Several years ago, when 13 muslim nations
jointly-proposed to build the first Islamic university in Tanzania, near Dar
Es Salaam, the central government, lead by then President Julius Nyerre,
refused to grant permits for construction. Consequentially the university
was built in neighboring Uganda instead. Last week, rumors that Tanzania was
joining the OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries) sparked such a political
uproar that opponenents accused the government of capitulating to pressure
from "Islamic fundamentalists".
The people of Zanzibar are demanding independence from the mainland Tanzania
state. Elements hostile to Islamic independence, in order to head off the
formation of the first independent Islamic State in South-Eastern Africa,
are working behind the scenes to hammer out a limited autonomy agreement
that would alledgedly guarantee monitoring to ensure that aid and
development earmarked for Zanzibar will actually arrive on the island.
Zanzibar has a rich Islamic history. In 1699, after defeating the Portugese,
The Omani Khalifah chose to transfer the seat of the Khilafate from
Muscat,Oman in the Arabian Peninsula and rule from Zanzibar instead.
Following is an inspiring report I obtained on how muhajaba (90% of Muslim
women in Zanzibar also wear niqab) break all the jahili customs and mores
that have unfortunately become so much apart of many Muslims warped notions
of what Deenul Islam really is, and contribute to the economic welfare of
their families.
(text of report follows)
Tanzania's Zanzibar Islands began a successful seaweed industry in 1989 when
the seaweed, Eucheuma, was imported from the Philippines and planted on the
East Coast of Zanzibar Island. It's growth rate was remarkable and soon
commercial seaweed farming flourished on the island. Seaweed farming has
begun in mainland Tanzania as well. Many villagers, both men and women,
initially joined in the venture. Slowly, men left the industry, and now more
than 90 percent of the farmers on Unguja Island are women.
Because so many of the farmers are women, farming seaweed has changed life
in the villages. The number of children suffering from malnutrition has
decreased, which indicates that the health of their mothers has improved.
Women also have economic power now. This has enabled them to take greater
part in the decision making at home. Men, who are mostly employed in
fishing, have accepted women's making significant economic contributions in
the household. Since fish catches in Zanzibar have been decreasing over the
years, contributions from women in the family have been important. Seaweed
farming has also fostered self-employment, bringing youths who migrated to
towns back to the villages to work for themselves, thus increasing the
population of the villages.
Women seaweed farmers are able to buy necessary household items. Each woman
in Women in Paje village, for example, has been able to purchase about 30
pairs of "Khanga," a clothing common to East African women. Most of the
women could not afford even five pairs before seaweed farming. Women seaweed
farmers can now buy school uniforms for their children and improve old
homes. Some have even built new houses. Before seaweed farming, families
were forced to camp at land-based farm sites and work in the fields to earn
enough money to support themselves, doing everything from ploughing the land
to harvesting. During these seasons, children missed their classes. Now,
camping at farm sites is unnecessary, so children are able to attend schools
regularly.
Women in the villages used to earn very little money. Rope making, which
involves burying coconut husks at the beach for six months before removing
them to make rope, earned them a meager income. A meter of rope sold for
US$0.01. Women also made capes, which took up to eight months to make. These
sold for about US$2. Other activities done by women included octopus hunting
and net fishing to catch small pelagics. All these activities are still
being done by women, but now products of such activities are more for home
consumption than for sale. Petty trade and small businesses have been
replaced by seaweed farming as a major income generating activity. Women in
the villages are enjoying the economic benefits of seaweed farming. "I also
buy clothes for my husband," some women have said. Others state proudly that
their children dress better than those living in town. One woman in Paje
village said, "Now I do not have to wait for my husband to bring home
everything."
(end of report)
Fi-Amaanillah,
Jamaaluddin al-Haidar
Support Independent Islamic Media
http://www.ummah.net/albayan
>>
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