Minister's Directive for Ramadan
Zanzibar tourists threatened with jail for eating during daytime?
(eTN) - Disturbing news emerged from Zanzibar overnight when it became known that a minister in the Zanzibari government had made public demands that police arrest anyone seen eating or drinking in the day time during the current month of Ramadan.
"Anyone eating and drinking in public, as well as opening a bar, guest house, and restaurant is committing an offense. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days, in which participating Muslims fast or refrain from drinking, eating, and sexual intimacy with their partners during daylight," the minister was quoted as saying in public.
The minister dismissed questions as to whether this applied to Christians and tourists who were not compelled to follow Islamic tradition. This caused panic and alarm among operators of tourist hotels and beach resorts on the islands of Zanzibar, as no one could immediately ascertain if this extra judicial order would be extended and applied to the thousands of tourists presently holidaying on the islands.
Said one regular source from the island, in view of the sensitivity of the matter under strictest anonymity: "This is a disastrous order. Does the minister even know how many tourists are here right now? This is high season. If we tell tourists they cannot eat or drink or should not have sex in their rooms during daylight, they will first laugh at us, and then sue us for whatever we are worth.
"I believe even for Muslims, they are free to obey or not to obey those rules as they choose, but if we try to impose this on non-Muslims visiting Zanzibar and spending their holiday here, or on the Christian minority who live here, we are making a mockery out of our hospitality. That minister has a stone age view and no wonder tourists who have picked up on this already spread this ridiculous ‘directive’ on Twitter and Facebook and other social media. It makes us a laughing stock, really!"
Another resort operator warned of the consequences should police enter any of the beach resorts at lunch time or during the day and attempt to arrest tourists sipping on their drinks, having breakfast, or eating lunch or having tea claiming: "This might destroy our reputation for a long time to come if there is even a single arrest of a foreign visitor over this uncalled for directive. The minister should have been either precise to apply it to practicing Muslims or best shut up altogether before opening his big mouth."
Meanwhile, no such fears exist apparently along the resorts of the mainland beaches of Tanzania, nor among the resorts along the Kenyan coast, where a regular source from Mombasa said: "If this is true, it can only do them damage. We here in Mombasa serve our tourists, and there are no such impositions. Even 20 or 30 years ago we served our tourists during Ramadan because we do not discriminate either way. But for the sake of our colleagues in Zanzibar I only hope that no tourist is being dragged from a resort dining table at lunch time, or from the beach bar of a hotel and taken to court, because that could finish them off."
Comments
Hi all
The issue is totally wrong, whoever wrote this article is completely a fool..I live in Zanzibar and run my business. The Minister didi not even mention about the tourists, he was pointing out at ordinary Zanzibaris and Tanzanians who were selling food..chicken and chips openly during lunch..these places are located mainly in the shanty town and most of them were either young and did not abide to the Zanzibari culture..he called for them to respect and should they want to eat, then lock yourselves somewhere..it's all not true at all. The call to close the unlicensed food kiosks were the target and had nothing to do with tourism. The person who the article could be a Kenyan..Zanzibar is not a secular state but has a higher population of muslims. Every year, visitors are requested during the holy month, to refrain from eating and drinkin in public. The tourists, equally take advantage to experience something else..I think people should do their home work before putting suc articles.. Nothing is true..
You have to clear my mind please because I really would like to know how you have got the statistics that the Republic of Zanzibar has 1,5 millions inhabitants and that 97-99 % are muslim. Is it 97 or 98 or 99 or maybe 75 %, or could it be that some Zanzibari have 2 religions or some are nothing, sacularized. So please be so kind and send your calculation. Since 3,000 years Zanzibar excists with his own culture and over 3,000 years many many people from all over in the world and different religions, cultures and traditions came and come to this wonderful liberal Island. The majority of the muslims are liberal from the tradition that the Shirazi from Persia has brought in the 9th century because they have to escape from the Shiites and they came to Zanzibar and by the way the Shirazi have brought also the Ibbadism to North Africa to the Beduines and you know in the tradition of the Beduines the head and face of the men are covered, maybe we could follow this tradition in Zanzibar too. You have talked about "rules". Which rules you mean. The one of the Hindus from Zanzibar or the one of the catholic or anglistic community? So you want to close the shops and restaurants and hotels on Sunday? And on Friday naturally too! I think the Hindus don`t have a special day. In the past we have had a big community of Buddhists and Zarahtrusts (for example Freddy Mercury or better Farouk Bulsara) in Zanzibar and Jewish people too. So also on Saturday no activity. You talk about Dubai and Beirut and other places. I think you should go there and see what the people, tourists and locals are doing there during day time and you have to recognize that they eat and drink during the day. And by the way religion rules are not law and how is the Zanzibar Government called: The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and this is very good. I like that a lot and I like this Government because almost everybody has a clear openminded mind and heart, just some are a bit ..... but this you can find in any Government in this world. We have to teach them and explain them that Zanzibars revenue comes for about 85 % (and this calculation is from the TRA and ZRB) from the tourism sector, direct and indirect. So if someone wants to stop this, then he or she has to go back the his or her rules and to work as a farmer in shamba. At last that France has forbidden the Burkha was an act of the Government of France by law and not a rule. And they have done it because also terrorists can hide themselves under the Burkha. This has anything to do with religion. Let us follow the Zanzibar tradition which is international and liberal with gently extrovert people, the best people in this world. And my dear tourists, don´t worry about this article, nobody will touch you in Zanzibar and everybody gives you food and beverage during the day as well in the night. Maybe the writer of this article has not checked it twice or is getting paid from Kenya. Ashante sana! Thank you very much! And come to Zanzibar!
You talk about law (sheria). Please could you be so kind to send me the articles (sehemu) of this law from Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. Please I am really curious to see and read your law in Zanzibar. So you have my email please make it clear and show us which law you are talking about in Zanzibar. Ahsante sana!
Isaac, I have a feeling if Mormons, rather than Muslims, were trying to "protect their culture," you'd be playing a different tune.
Let's stop playing PC games.
I find this article absolute ridiculous.and find those who comment on this culture absolute selfish and ignorant. Zanzibar is predominantly muslim with 97-99% in the 1.5 millions.
The idea of making such a rule is to protect the islamic identity of zanzibar. its only 29-30 days in a year.The tourist must learn about the culture of zanzibar before and while there.
I would be glad if Richard Thomas not to come in my country because he dont respect my rules. I tell that while i am skeptic and not a practising muslim. I dont want islamic Rule in zanzibar but I will appreciate if the Guests to respect my culture. This culture is practised even in Dubai, beirut, Muscut, Kuala Lampur. So maybe you should boycott those place as well
It is pathetic that While we are expected to follow the rules of French about the Burkha we cant apply rules that protect our identity
He cannot force anything as such. The government needs to make him retract his statement and apologise in public for his outburst. I wonder what made him say that, but Islam is not a religion that imposes rules by force. All tourists arriving into Zanzibar are fully aware of the situation during the Month of Ramadhan and respect the beliefs of the locals. Infact they are not even required according to Islamd NOT to eat or drink in public, however as courtesy and respect to the Muslims onthe Island they abide by this.
I doubt anyone was eating/drinking in Public during this month. Everyone does it in their hotel or home.
He seriously needs to be reprimanded and I hope the police commisioner sees more sense than this guy
FAO RICHARD THOMAS - This has nothing to do with Iran nor Islam. it is this guys own personal whim he has expressed. Nor is this the forum to discuss or mention Iran. It shows that ignorance is not only rife in Zanzibar, but very much present in the UK. ahem.....
You people don't understand what you are talking about even the writer all are bu- shit, Zanzibar island has enforce restriction (LAW) so people not allowed to eat, drink or having sexual intimacy in public, not in their hotel you need to understand this during the Holly month of Ramadhan. You need to respect Muslim culture of the Islanders. Be aware that if tourists want to come to Zanzibar have to be told before he/she made a booking, that is the Tours operator Job. That's why country differ from one another. and every country has its own policy to run the country. So you people who don't want to respect others stay aware and leave other people to run their live, and dont make BU _SHIT Comments here.
I think the minister is not aware on his or her job well.
He needs more directive seminars, revise tourism policies and laws.
I also wonder where is the connection between faith or belief and tourism being a recreational activity from a personal/visitor who made her or his own decision,time and finances.
this is a shame statement for the Government officer to go public like that.
However on the other side of the coin i expect the minister to say something on the taxes collection on Ramadan season should the hotel, resort and other tourism players stop paying taxes???? on Ramadan season?? where will they get money for salaries of their employees
How can Zanzibar survive without tourism???
Should we change beautiful beaches of Zanzibar into tea,coffee or sisal plantation????
It is utterly insane that in the year 2011 the human race is compelled to endure the extremist religous views of zealots - all over the world. How is it we've regressed so much that religion and it's MAN made dicates - which have so little to do with God, or Spirit or the essential truth of our nature and being - impacts our lives in a myriad of absurd and annoying ways? Why is religion accorded a leniency nothing else is given? And that fact must be why those whose mission is power and control over others chooses it as their tool of domination and oppression...as well as murder, subjugation and countless suffering. Sane people know religion is a private, personal matter. The smart ones know we are spiritual beings who have no business dictating to others but should be working on our own to be the best people we can be. Compassion is our nature, as is love. And if we weren't perverted by so much misinformation we would do a better job of living it.
HERE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A MUSLIM NUT WITH A 16TH CENTURY MENTALITY IN A GOVERNMENT POSITION. MAYBE EVERYONE SHOULD BOYCOT THIS PLACE AND THEN THIS MUSLIM JERKBALL WOULD HAVE THE PLACE TO HIMSELF. HE SHOULD THINK ABOUT MOVING TO IRAN WHERE HE WOULD BE AROUND NUTSOS LIKE HIMSELF.
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