Mozambique considers Islam as a partner and dissociates religion from attacks in the north

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Mozambique considers Islam as a partner and dissociates religion from attacks in the north

12:47 CAT | 15 Oct 2018

File photo: Lusa

The governor of the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado has called on residents of the province to be on their guard against the armed men who have attacked villages bringing the Islamic religion, which he called “a partner” of the state, under suspicion.

“We are not going to let the enemy bring their theatre into our national territory. We will not allow the mosque, the Islamic religion, to be called into question,” Júlio Paruque said today in statements broadcast by Radio Mozambique and cited by Lusa news agency.

“We will not tolerate this, because the Mozambican government has a partner in the Islamic religion, one that promotes the good, peace, tolerance and co-participates in the moralisation of society, in the formation of the new man,” he said.

The governor was speaking on Sunday at a rally in Macomia, the headquarters of one of the districts where there have been attacks on remote villages.

“Do not be deceived, do not let yourself be sold. There is no price for that, to sell the country, sell the parents, sell the village,” he added.

Paruque called on the population to be alert to what he said are lies of groups recruiting residents for attacks on remote villages.

“There are a lot of young people who, unfortunately, disappear and do not come back because, in the bush, the force is doing its work,” he concluded.

The statements come a week after the judge hearing nearly 200 accused of being linked to the armed attacks having said that it was not the Islamic religion that was on trial, although there had been some recruitment in the mosques.

Earlier this month, President Nyusi also said that Islam was being used as a means of exploiting inhabitants.

According to official figures, at least 90 people, including civilians and members of the defence and security forces, have died since the attacks began a year ago.

Source: Lusa