Abstract:
UAMSHO (Awakening) organization, which came into prominence in 2001 is one of
the several registered Muslim associations in Zanzibar whose mission, initially, was
focused on da'wa (propagation of Islam) and improving Muslims’ welfare. Though
registered as a socio-religious organization, gradually, the association has been taking
clear political stance characterized by unrelenting demand for Zanzibar’s secession
from the political unification with Tanganyika. Because of their advocacy, the
political tension and violence that rocked Zanzibar in recent past was to a certain
extent associated with the organization. The study examined the genesis and
ideological foundations of the UAMSHO organization in the country within the
context of a secular state. In that respect the study explored the global situations that
influenced the emergence of political Islam in Zanzibar taking UAMSHO as the focus
of the study. Both the Social Conflict Theory and the qualitative research approach
were applied, and the data collected thereby analyzed using the qualitative analysis
tools of content, discourse, and phenomenological analysis. More so, observation
techniques, written documents, and internet sources were significant in collecting both
primary and secondary data. The informants considered were in the following
categories: Officials and activists of UAMSHO, leaders from different Muslim
associations, and government officials. All the collected and analysed data was
presented in the form of thematic descriptions to illustrate UAMSHO as a religion-
political movement, advancing Muslims’ political consciousness in Zanzibar. The
study concluded that the present political atmosphere that supports secession of
Zanzibar from mainland Tanzania facilitates. It is expected that the findings of this
study would provide the government with relevant information, which could be used
in policy formulation that incorporates the views and the aspirations of the majority
Muslims in Zanzibar.