The Effectiveness of Peace Initiatives in Averting Religious Conflicts Among Christians and Muslims in Dar Es Salaam

Abstract

Religious conflicts are among the causes of tension and lack of harmony in a given society and even the entire nation. This thesis analyzed the effectiveness of the peace initiatives in averting religious conflicts amongst the Christians and Muslims in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. The thesis was done through the guidance of the following objectives;tracing the history of Christians - Muslims relations, investigatingfactors leading to religious conflictsamong Christians and Muslims, establishing the existing peace initiatives in averting religious conflicts andassessing the effectiveness of peace initiatives in averting religious conflicts among Christians and Muslims in Dar es Salaam. The study adopted the case study design because of the identified area and populate for study. The researcher used cluster sampling technique in grouping the respondents in order to manage the data collection process. The methodologies for data collection were questionnaires, interview and Focus Group Discussion. The collected data was edited, coded, classified and presented through pie charts and tables for easy discussion and interpretation. Findings were based on the set objectives as follows: the relations between Christians and Muslims stems from the following areas; state affairs, social affairs, sharing of resources and worship experiences. Religious conflicts are caused by competition for power to own and control resources, demand for equal public representation and religious doctrinal differences. With the presence of conflicts, peace initiatives were said to be in place to deal with conflicts however challenges made them not to perform well for instance political incitement, religious superiority and religious stereotypes. Religious conflicts positively influence the relations between Christians and Muslims through the interaction that yields cohesiveness. The study concluded by clearly stating that religious conflicts should not be incited and be propagated to mean war but be solved well. The researcher recommended that all religious and related conflicts should be solved through dialogue in order to maintain peace and harmony in the community and the nation at large