Bakwata names acting mufti after Simba’s demise

Dar es Salaam. Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir Bin Ally was yesterday unveiled as an interim Mufti and country’s Chief Sheikh.

Tanzania Muslim Council (Bakwata) secretary general Sheikh Suleiman Lolila said Sheikh Zubeir was unanimously selected by Bakwata’s council of Ulamaa to fill in the shoes of the late Mufti Sheikh Issa Shaaban bin Simba who passed away a week ago.

“Eight votes were cast and they were all in favour of Sheikh Zubeir. He is going to be our top leader for 90 days until the new Mufti is selected,” said Sheikh Lolila.

For his part the interim Mufti Sheikh Zubeir said he will do everything in his power to strengthen Bakwata starting with reviewing its constitution to cater for the vast interest of all Muslims in the country.

He said Bakwata and the council of Ulamaa have a crucial task of uniting all Muslims in the country and maintaining the legacy of the late Sheikh Simba of keeping cordial relationships between Muslims and other religions in Tanzania.

“According to the constitution I will be in office for the next 90 days. I welcome advice and criticism from all Muslims. I will also work hand in hand with my colleagues in setting the platform to get our permanet Mufti,” he said.

Sheikh Lolila told The Citizen that, now that the interim Mufti is already selected the next step is to declare the post of Mufti as vacant and receive names of those who want to fill it.

“After receiving the names, the religious committee which comprises regional and district sheikhs from all over the country and Council of Ulamaa will vet the names and make a short list which will be forwarded to Bakwata’s congress which will select a Mufti out of those names,” he said.