Breaking into his home during the night of 14 May, armed men attacked a Tanzanian church pastor, slashing his head with a sword.
Pastor Samson’s brother, Bishop Gwajima, also faces eviction from his church premises, as well as court charges, because of his outspoken opposition to the proposed Kadhi (Islamic) courts Bill. If implemented, these Kadhi courts would deal with family matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance for Tanzania’s Muslim population. Tanzanian Christians are particularly concerned that rulings cannot be appealed or referred to the High Court. Already in place in the Muslim-majority Zanzibar archipelago, the Bill proposes to introduce Kadhi courts across mainland Tanzania.
