Uamsho
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UAMSHO, popular shorthand for The Association for Islamic Mobilisation and Propagation, nicknamed The Awakening, is an Islamist
separatist Separatism is the advocacy of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, regional, governmental, or gender separation from the larger group. As with secession, separatism conventionally refers to full political separation. Groups simply seekin ...
group legally registered in
Zanzibar Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. It is located in the Indian Ocean, and consists of many small Island, islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. ...
. Led by Farid Hadi Ahmed, Uamsho seeks independence for Zanzibar from
Tanzania Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to t ...
.


History and formation

Uamsho was officially registered as JUMIKI (Jumuiya ya Uamsho na mihadhara ya kiislam in
Swahili Swahili may refer to: * Swahili language, a Bantu language officially used in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda and widely spoken in the African Great Lakes. * Swahili people, an ethnic group in East Africa. * Swahili culture, the culture of the Swahili p ...
) in 2001 with the Registration no.149 under the
Zanzibar Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. It is located in the Indian Ocean, and consists of many small Island, islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. ...
government Society Act Number 6 of 1995 concerning the registration of civil society organization (non governmental organisation). But the name Uamsho has become more popular than its original name. According to its constitution UAMSHO has been established for the purpose of promoting love, unity and development among Islamic believers; to encourage them in matters of their religion, including the education, culture and Islamic religion to do anything that is good or that focuses on elevating and spreading Islamic religion; protecting and defending the rights of human beings in Islam as well as preserving Muslims with difficulty; protecting and defending silk and Islamic culture not to be undermined, unprotected, and assisting in solving social disasters including conflicts, disasters, and combating various disasters such as Aids, drug abuse and other social disasters as well as Zanzibar has full autonomy rather than remain under the umbrella of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.


Riots, incitement to murder and general criticism

Zanzibar and Tanzania government has criticized UAMSHO for failing to stick to its purpose as registered and instead has turned into a political group questioning Zanzibar's place in Tanzania. Uamsho has been accused of no longer being a purely religious movement: Uamsho has called for a referendum on Zanzibar's exit from the United Republic of Tanzania. In April 2012 the governments of Tanzania and Zanzibar intervened and stopped all meetings, demonstrations, gatherings or lectures until further notice. The group continued to conduct lectures claiming to be exercising its
freedom of speech Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The rights, right to freedom of expression has been r ...
. Several clashes between Uamsho members and the field force unit have been reported in the Zanzibar island of
Unguja Unguja (also referred to as "Zanzibar Island" or simply "Zanzibar", in – as mentioned in The ''Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'') is the largest and most populated island of the Zanzibar archipelago, in Tanzania. History Geography Unguja is ...
. On 25 December 2012 the Rev. Ambrose Mkenda was injured as he arrived home in Tomondo, about four miles from Zanzibar City. The incident was linked to Uamsho but no evidence has been found so far. Criticism mainly comes from the leaders of government of Zanzibar including President Dr. Shein and the Tanzanian Prime Minister
Mizengo Pinda Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda (born 12 August 1948) is a Tanzanian CCM politician who was the 11th prime minister of Tanzania from 2008 to 2015. He was a Member of Parliament from 2000 to 2015. Life and career Pinda was born in the former nort ...
. Pinda expressed concern over the activities of Uamsho. He told the National Assembly that the organisation was legally registered as a non-governmental organization in Zanzibar and at the beginning operated well. "Unfortunately the
NGO A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...
has of late lost direction and is propagating hatred among the people in Zanzibar. Authorities in Zanzibar are dealing with all trouble makers." On 16 October 2012, Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmad was reported missing and returned home after four days. He claimed to have been abducted by armed and masked men who identified themselves as police officers. The then Commissioner of Zanzibar Police, Mussa Ali categorically dismissed the claims, saying that police had no idea of the whereabouts of Sheikh Farid. The disappearance caused unrest in Stone Town, paralyzing traffic and business as the missing cleric's supporters rioted. Two people including a police officer were killed and several others were injured. Seven leaders of the Uamsho, including Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmed, were arrested on 20 October 2012 and appeared before Mwanakwerekwe District Court in Zanzibar where they were charged with several counts including incitement, causing chaos, and breach of peace and misunderstandings in the Isles. Defence lawyers Salim Tawfik and Abdallah Juma boycotted a court session and withdrew from representing Uamsho, accusing the police and prosecuting officers of acting under unnecessary secrecy. Since 2012 Uamsho leaders have been held in the mainland jailed without charges which is against the Tanzanian constitution and whoever speaks regarding UAMSHO is arrested. Analysts have said that Uamsho has been gaining popularity following the disenchantment of supporters of Zanzibar's main opposition
Civic United Front The Civic United Front (CUF; , ) is a liberal party in Tanzania. Although nationally based, most of the CUF's support comes from the Zanzibar islands of Unguja and Pemba. The party is a member of Liberal International. History The Civic United ...
(CUF) party after its decision to form a government of national unity with the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Party.


See also

* Zanzibar acid attack: Uamsho supporters have been suspected of being involved


References

{{Reflist Political movements in Tanzania 2001 establishments in Tanzania