US embassy cable - 04MAPUTO1026

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 001026 
 
SIPDIS 
DEPT FOR AF/PD 
SENSITIVE 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, PREL, EAID, KDEM, PHUM, PGOV, OEXC, OPRC, OIIP, MZ, KISL 
SUBJECT: MUSLIM OUTREACH IN MOZAMBIQUE 
 
1. (SBU) Summary: Post is cognizant of the religious diversity in 
Mozambique and has taken efforts to include representatives from 
various religious groups, including Muslims, in its outreach 
efforts. Given the current demographics of Mozambique and recent 
world events, post is expanding these efforts. End Summary. 
 
BACKGROUND 
2. (SBU) Mozambique's rapidly growing Muslim population is 
generally moderate and well integrated into broader Mozambican 
society. Approximately 20 percent of Mozambicans who profess a 
recognized religion are Muslim24 percent are Roman Catholic, 22 
percent are Protestant, and. However, many Muslim clerics 
disagree with this statistic, claiming that Islam is the 
country's majority religion. The northern provinces and the 
coastal strip are the most strongly Muslim areas of the country. 
Most members of Mozambique's Indian community are Muslim, though 
they tend to remain separate from the larger black Islamic 
community. In northern cities such as Pemba and Nampula, the 
Indian and Pakistani communities control much of the local 
commerce. Religious groups, including Muslim groups, operate in 
Mozambique without impediment, and religious freedom is 
guaranteed under the Constitution. Muslim missionaries from 
South Africa and the Kuwaiti-based Africa Muslim Agency have 
established Islamic schools ("madrassas") in many cities and 
towns in the northern provinces and the capital Maputo. In early 
2003, the Islamic Community completed construction of a Grand 
Mosque in downtown Maputo. A large number of small mosques have 
recently been constructed with external financing in the northern 
province of Nampula. 
 
3. (SBU) The Government of Mozambique does not favor a particular 
religion, nor is there a state or dominant religion. Though the 
law governing political parties specifically forbids religious 
parties from organizing and any party from sponsoring religious 
propaganda, the Independent Party of Mozambique (PIMO), a 
predominantly Muslim group without representation in Parliament, 
has taken positions based on religious principles, advocated 
moral behavior, and criticized the government for corruption. 
The Government has thus far tolerated PIMO's activities, and PIMO 
remains a minor political party. There have been several 
efforts recently to unify the often divided Islamic community in 
Mozambique. In September 2003, a national meeting of Muslims was 
held in the central provincial capital of Beira, with the aim of 
encouraging local Muslims to become more involved in health and 
education in remote areas of the country. 
 
RECENT AND ONGOING EFFORTS BY POST 
4. (SBU) a) In 2002, post established an American Corner at 
Mussa Bin Bique University, an Islamic university located in 
Nampula. In the past year, the Ambassador has spoken at the 
University, and Public Affairs is planning on using much of its 
library allotment for FY 2004 on acquiring additional materials 
to strengthen the outreach efforts of this American Corner. 
b) In the past, post has sent prominent Muslim leaders on 
International Visitor (IV) programs. These have included Jose 
Abudo, current Minister of Justice, and David Cassimo, a leading 
theologian, Imam and member of Conselho dos Alimos de Mocambique. 
This year, post has already nominated Suleimane Amuji, the 
prominent Muslim mayor of Vilankulos, to participate in a 
Democratic Governance and Civic Participation IV program. 
Amuji's nomination is part of a larger USAID initiative to work 
with key municipal leaders elected in 2003. Post also intends to 
nominate participants for the Leadership and Muslim Community IV 
program. 
c) In the past year, the Ambassador has launched a Mission 
Speakers Initiative to send teams of Mission personnel to speak 
at local high schools. The Mission intends to expand this 
program to include speaking at religious-affiliated high schools, 
including Muslim high schools. 
d) Additionally, as part of its PEPFAR plan, the Mission is 
working with the Aga Kahn Foundation to assess available HIV- 
related services and develop a 5-year operational plan for an 
HIV/AIDS program in Cabo Delgado, a predominantly Muslim 
province, linked with a new USG-supported anti-retroviral therapy 
site. 
e) The USAID Food Security programs focus is on helping rural 
Mozambicans learn and develop the knowledge, skills and 
technology they need to produce more food, increase their 
household incomes and reduce malnutrition among their children. 
These programs operate in the Northern provinces of Nampula, 
Zambezia, Sofala and Manica, where they reach communities with 
arge Muslim populations. 
f) The Mission will also be designating a Religious Affairs 
Officer whose portfolio will include strategic outreach 
initiatives and increased dialogue with key members of 
Mozambique's Muslim community. 
LA LIME