VZCZCXRO4779
RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHGI RUEHJS RUEHKUK RUEHLH
RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDR #0484 2041509
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231509Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8703
INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000484 
 
DEPT FOR S/P GBEHRMAN; AF/PD CANYASO 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID OEXC SCUL KPAO KISL TZ
SUBJECT: CONSULTING ON MUSLIM ENGAGEMENT 
 
REF: STATE 71325 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: Following the President's Cairo Speech, we have 
consulted with various civil society groups and key target 
communities to identify ways to move forward priorities outlined in 
the speech.  Among ideas presented by stakeholders for renewed 
collaboration are opening a community center that adheres to Islamic 
values which the embassy could use to host cultural events, 
increasing the informal dialogue between Muslim Americans and Muslim 
Tanzanians, and increasing exchange opportunities.  In consideration 
of Tanzania's strictly secular government and diversity of religious 
beliefs (62% Christian, 35% Muslim, 3% 
Hindu/Sikh/Bahai/traditional), our engagement with Muslim 
communities is part of a broader outreach effort to the variety of 
communities of faith in the country. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. In Dar es Salaam, meetings with the leadership of the 
Mwinyibaraka Islamic Foundation indicated a positive reaction to the 
speech, with a great desire for further consultation and 
interaction.  Some ideas presented were co-funding of an 
Islamic-friendly community center, which would provide a safe 
environment conducive to Islamic values, and would provide the 
embassy a platform to host cultural affairs events outside the 
embassy or a private residence.  Other ideas from the influential 
leader of this organization were for strengthened "Sister Mosque" 
relationships with U.S. mosques, and holding DVCs between Tanzanian 
Muslim Groups in Secondary School and American Muslims in High 
Schools. 
 
¶3.  The imam of a key mosque in central Dar es Salaam, who had just 
returned from his IVLP program on religious tolerance, asked for 
additional copies of the Cairo speech, saying that he wanted to 
study the text closely before deciding how to present ideas for 
further collaboration to his followers.  While he is still cautious, 
he was open to the idea of speaking at Islamic Secondary Schools 
about his positive experience in the United States and about the 
points of the speech.  This imam has a radically-altered view of the 
U.S. after his visit and is eager but unsure of whether being 
supportive of the U.S. will make him sound like an apologist for 
U.S. foreign policies that Tanzania's Muslim community does not 
support. 
 
¶4.  In a meeting with the Mayor of Tanga, a town on the Swahili 
coast, PDO received a request for direct communication and 
relationship building with American Muslims, perhaps through a 
sister-mosque relationship or expanded exchange visits.  Tanga and 
Toledo, Ohio are sister cities, and so already have a strong two-way 
exchange history. 
 
¶5.  In consultations with educators, requests were made for 
additional educational exchange opportunities, from study programs 
to online courses like the successful E-Teacher program that 
numerous Tanzanians have completed in the past two years. 
 
ANDRE