Categories: christianity
Date: 03 April 2009 12:00:49
Tanzania
Languages: Swahili, English, Nyamwezi, local languages
The Muslim/Christian ratio in the Tanzanian population as a whole is almost 50/50 and the government safeguards religious freedom.
Zanzibar, just off the coast, is a semi-autonomous island where the Christian population is just 1%. These people are under constant pressure to convert and Christian children are apparently kidnapped to force them to convert.
The mainland is facing an on-going debate about whether to introduce shari'a alongside the existing secular law.
However, in spite of many difficulties, it seems that the Christian population is increasing and the Church is exhorted to respond in a Christ-like way to every challenge, showing love and compassion to Muslims and Christians alike.