Members of the Zanzibar Pentecostal Church, a house church in the town of Unguja Ukuu near Zanzibar City in Tanzania, were expelled from their rented premises on May 9 by militant Muslims, according to a May 26 report from Compass Direct. Approximately 20 believers fled for their lives when Muslim militants gathered outside the building and shouted, "We do not want the church to be in our locality." The Muslims were reportedly angered by the believers' evangelistic activities and had issued threats against church members. At last report, the Christians were still unable to use the rented premises for worship and were raising money to buy their own property.
Pray that these Christians will continue to meet together for worship despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray that Christians in Tanzania will be a bold witness to their Muslim neighbours.
Country Information
Population 62,092,761(July 2021 est.)
Ethnicity (%) Mainland - African (99) (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other (1) (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African
Religion (%) Christian (63.1), Muslim (34.1), folk religion (1.1), unspecified (1.6) Note: Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim
Leader President Samia Suluhu Hassan (2021)
Government type Presidential republic
Legal system English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation
Sources: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Tanzania
Pray that the gospel will be well received by unreached tribal groups. Ask God to influence government leaders tostand strong against the influence of Islam. Pray that pastors in Zanzibar will continue to stand strong despite efforts to eliminate Christianity.
Bishop Daniel Kwileba Kwiyeya Photo: Morning Star News
A Pentecostal church in Kisauni, which is located in Zanzibar (a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania), has been facing pressure from local Muslims about its presence in the community. The annoyed community members lobbied the local authorities, w
A pastor and several church members in a southeastern Tanzanian village had all of their belongings and cash confiscated after refusing to contribute towards a ceremony involving witchcraft. Village leaders, who entertained fears of "curses" being placed upon the area, called upon wit
On June 16th, three Christians were arrested in Zanzibar for cooking food in a private home during the Ramadan fast. Emmanuel Yohana, his wife Katherine, and a woman identified as Khadija, were arrested at the couple's home. Local police, led by the area district commissioner, forcefully and unlawful
A church being burned in Tanzania. Photo: World Watch Monitor
Another church in Tanzania's extreme northwest corner was burned to the ground on May 2nd in a suspected arson attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the fire that destroyed the church in Nyarwele, located within the Kagera regio