News from the Sultanate of Zanzibar

[Zanzibar]

[FONT=&amp]NEWS AND MEDIA OF THE SULTANATE OF ZANZIBAR
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[FONT=&amp]Newspapers

The Times of Zanzibar: an Arabic-language newspaper closely aligned to the royal family and the government. Mainly read by the Arab élite.[/FONT]​

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The People's Post: a state-owned Swahili newspaper, used to foster support for the political and economic order in the Sultanate's black Himyari majority. Stresses a Zanzibari national identity founded on loyalty to the Sultan, Sunni Islam, and Arab-[/FONT]Himyari[FONT=&amp] cooperation.

Uhuru: a dissident Swahili newspaper, promoting [/FONT]Himyari [FONT=&amp]political liberation, and Islamic socialism. A target of government censorship, Uhuru is irregularly published and distributed through a network of left-wing organisations.

Radio Stations

Radio Zanzibar 1: a state-owned Arabic-language radio station. Broadcasts the news from a pro-government perspective.

Radio Zanzibar 2 Kiswahili: a state-owened Swahili radio station. Like Radio Zanzibar 1, it broadcasts the news from a pro-government perspective, but with a greater focus on issues considered important to the [/FONT]Himyari [FONT=&amp]population.

Radio Imaan: a privately run (but state endorsed) radio station, broadcasting in Swahili and Arabic. Broadcasts mostly consist of recitations of the Quran and religious sermons.

Television Stations

None (though the government is planning to launch the Sultanate's first television station this summer).[/FONT]​

 

[Zanzibar]

THE TIMES OF ZANZIBAR

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَكُوۡنُوۡا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِيۡنَ‏

8 Rajab | 5th April

Slavery Abolished in Zanzibar through the Generosity of HRH the Sultan

His Royal Highness Sultan Abdullah bin Mohammed, with the approval of the Royal Advisory Council, has announced his intention to completely abolish slavery in the Sultanate of Zanzibar. His decision, which was reached "after much prayer and reflection", will take effect on Eid Al Fitr (25th June) this year. While the acquisition of new slaves has been illegal since 1902, ownership of slaves has remained permissible. Today, the Sultan has declared that he will liberate the 2,000 remaining slaves in his lands, and use his personal funds to offer the appropriate compensation to their masters.

The Shariah Committee of Zanzibar, at the urging of the Grand Mufti, has narrowly voted in favour of the Sultan's generous decision, though a significant faction argued that slavery is permitted and protected by Islamic law. In the introduction to his lengthy response to these objections, His Royal Highness the Sultan wrote:

"In his revelation, Allah (SWA) tells us that that, if we wish to be righteous, we should use our money to the free the slaves (Surah 2:177). As Sultan and protector of the people of Zanzibar, I have decided to use the blessings Allah (SWA) has given me to enact His will."

The abolition of slavery is the latest step in the Sultan's campaign to modernise and reform Zanzibar. His Royal Highness has worked tirelessly over the last 30 years to ensure that our once great nation once again holds a dignified and respected position in the family of nations. Long may he reign.

Other Headlines

Zanzibaris buy candles en-masse in preparation for Lailat al Mir'aj

Intra-Gallian economic cooperation to be discussed in trade summit

 

[Pelasgia]

Pelasgian Empire
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Statement

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6th of April, 1957
To whom it may concern.

His Imperial Majesty's Government would like to wholeheartedly congratulate His Majesty, the Sultan, on His Majesty's initiative to single-handedly end the inhumane and godless institution of slavery, restoring the former slaves to their natural rights as free men and women. The Sultanate serves to prove that all countries, regardless of creed or culture, have no other choice but to abolish slavery in the face of its sheer moral repugnance, setting an important milestone for all of Himyar as well as the entirety of Europe.

Signed and Sealed,

Ikaros Dragases

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Pelasgian Empire

ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩΙ ΝΙΚΑ
​

 

[Tyonic Confederacy]

Non Classified

To whom it may concern

We applaud the actions of His Majesty, Sultan Abdullah bin Mohammed, on helping rid the world of such a heinous crime against humanity. We hope to continue to see the good deeds of His Majesty, Sultan Abdullah bin Mohammed.

Kind regards,

Secretary Hinrich Tauseg
The Department of Foreign Affairs
The Federal Republic of Geotri

 

[Zanzibar]

[FONT=&amp]THE TIMES OF ZANZIBAR

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَكُوۡنُوۡا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِيۡنَ‏

10 Rajab | 7th April
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HRH the Sultan Says: "I will defend our Ummah"
[/FONT][FONT=&amp]
[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Our pious and noble Sultan, who has dedicated his life to serving Allah (SWA) and Zanzibar, has declared his intention to support and protect the Ummah throughout the world. In his Friday morning address on Radio Zanzibar 1, he said:

"Throughout my reign, I have worked to ensure that Islam remains at the heart of Zanzibar's public life. Compassion and respect for our co-religionists, however, must extend beyond all national, linguistic and political borders. As the Holy Prophet Muhammad [/FONT]ﷺ said: “the parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5665, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2586).

Following the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, therefore, I will defend our Ummah, our mosques, and our culture across the globe. I will work to safeguard Muslim communities and pilgrims, particularly in holy cities such as Al-Quds (Hiersolyma). I will use the power and the wealth Allah (SWA) has given to me to safeguard the community of believers.

Muslims in Zanzibar and, surely, throughout the whole Ummah, will feel safe and joyful in the embrace of our courageous Sultan's protection.


Sultan and Zanzibar Receive International Praise For Slavery Decision

Following His Royal Highness Sultan Abdullah bin Mohammed's wise and generous decision to abolish slavery using his own personal funds, His Royal Highness and our nation have received international commendation and support.

Ikaros Dragases, the Pelasgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Pelasgia "would like to wholeheartedly congratulate" His Royal Highness for his foresight and kindess.

Hinch Tauseg, Foreign Secretary of the Federal Republic of Geotri, also praised His Royal Highness, writing that the people of Geotri "hope to continue to see the good deeds of His Majesty, Sultan Abdullah bin Mohammed". This newspaper, and all the Sultan's people, share their sentiments. Furthermore, we are delighted to confirm the Sultan's sincere gratitude to the governments of Pelasia and Geotri, whose kind support is most welcome during this period of transition.

Other Headlines

Members of underground homosexual society in Abu Jibal arrested

Pelsagian citizens on trial for espionage in Serenierre[/FONT]

 

[Zanzibar]

UHURU
Njia ya mwongo ni fupi

For Our People

The struggle of this newspaper is the struggle of our people. Two months ago, the police located and destroyed Uhuru's secret base of operations, imprisoning dozens of journalists and volunteers. The lying, Arab-controlled media proudly proclaimed that our paper, and the message of freedom it represents, had been destroyed forever. They were wrong. On the contrary, their fascistic act of repression has only strengthened our resolve to fight.

Even though we have seen our comrades beaten and imprisoned, we are determined to continue our struggle. Why? Because the black Himyari people, the true sons of Zanzibar, will never be free if cannot hear the truth. Uhuru exists to say the unsayable, and to tear down the powerful. Only we can expose the obscenity of the Sultan celebrating the fact that Zanzibar is one of the last nations in the world to abolish slavery. Only we can point out that no king can "defend the Ummah" if he cannot feed his starving subjects. Only we can call on our people to topple the Arab invader, and take back their homes and their dignity.

In trying times, people often forget that Allah (SWA) loves and protects those who suffer. When your will grows weak, remember these words that He revealed to the Holy Prophet [FONT=&amp]ﷺ[/FONT]: "And most certainly We shall try you by means of danger, hunger, loss of worldly goods, of lives and of the fruits of your labors, but shall give glad tidings to those who are patient in adversity. Who, when calamity hits them, say, 'Truly, unto Allah do we belong, and truly, until Him we shall return.' It is they upon whom their Sustainer's blessings and grace are bestowed, and it is they who are on the right path!" (2:155-157). Through courage and faith, we will be free.

It will not be easy. Because of the watchful eye of our oppressors, it may be some time before another edition of Uhuru is released. But make no mistake: we will be back. UHURU.

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

Also we commend the Sultan of Zanzibar for abolishing slavery and using his own funds to free the slaves in his country. Indeed, slavery is nothing else but a heinous and unjust crime against human dignity that should never have been started. It is good that the Sultan of Zanzibar also sees it that way.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Zanzibar]

THE TIMES OF ZANZIBAR

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَكُوۡنُوۡا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِيۡنَ‏

12 Rajab | 9th April

Literacy Continues to Grow in Zanzibar

The first words Allah (SWA) revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Cave of Hira were: "Read. Read in the name of your Lord who created; [He] created the human being from a clot of blood. Read in the name of your Lord who taught by the pen: [He] taught the human being what he did not know." (96: 1-5). All Muslims should understand, therefore, that our Lord wants our Ummah to learn and to flourish, so that we may gain a greater understanding of Him and His word.

It should be a cause of great celebration, then, that literacy in Zanzibar continues to grow under the guidance of our pious and wise Sultan. According to government estimates, literacy has shot up to 45%, compared to 37% just 10 years ago. This increase is believed to be a result of the Iqra'a Project, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and the Sharia Committee of Zanzibar, which mobilises and funds mosques across the country to organise religiously-focused reading and writing classes.

Naturally, there remain challenges. The Arab community is thought to have a significantly higher literacy rate than black Himyaris, only 28% of whom are believed to be able to read. Furthermore, despite the rapid growth in literacy over the past 10 years, Zanzibar is still lagging behind its neighbours. Nevertheless, as Crown Prince Majid bin Abdullah wisely said as he announced the good news: "Zanzibar may not yet have reached its goal of being a fully modernised and respected nation, but today's figures show that, thanks to the efforts of my father the Sultan and pious men and women across the country, we are on the right track."

Other Headlines

Tributes continue to pour in from governments around the world following slavery decision

Seditious, illegal and anti-Islamic newspaper Uhuru remains a threat to our nation

 

[Zanzibar]

THE TIMES OF ZANZIBAR

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَكُوۡنُوۡا مَعَ الصّٰدِقِيۡنَ‏

15 Rajab | 12th April

Men Accused of Apostasy in Alhijara

Last night, three young men (Qutb el-Bey, Jaasim al-Ramin and Kabili Nehra) were arrested in Alhijara for the crime of apostasy, along with a Christian Orthodox priest (Jalaal al-Neman) who is alleged to have encouraged and facilitated their 'conversion'. Al-Neman is believed to have met with the men for 'Bible study sessions' several times over the past 18 months, and to have formally baptised them on Christmas day last year.

Although the Christian community is protected by the law of Allah (SWA) and our Sultan, the Quran commands us to severely punish apostasy. In Surah an-Nahl, Allah (SWA) says: "He who disbelieves in Allah after his having believed, not he who is compelled while his heart is at rest on account of faith, but he who opens (his) breast to disbelief-- on these is the wrath of Allah, and they shall have a grievous chastisement." (16:106). As such, apostates, and those who preach false religions to Muslims, face the death penalty in Zanzibar, which remains a bastion of Islamic values against the growing forces of corruption and decay.

[FONT=&amp]All of the accused will be fairly tried in a Shariah court later this month. If convicted, the accused apostates will be given three days to return to Islam. If they refuse, they will be publicly beheaded. If the Christian priest is found guilty, he will be executed the morning after his conviction.

Other Headlines

Popular radio personality Tariq al Tawil to wed his third wife

Dar as-Salaam fruit thief still at large

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[Pelasgia]

Pelasgian Empire
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Statement

​

13th of April, 1957
To whom it may concern.

His Imperial Majesty's Government is most concerned at the recent developments in Zanj. As Muslims are free to preach and live in Pelasgia, so should Christians be free to live and preach in Zanj; to explain these actions, the ambassador of Zanj has been summoned by His Imperial Majesty. A failure on the part of Zanj to reconsider their stance on this issue could force the hand of our government to pressure Zanj into adopting the tolerant policies of the civilised world through sanctions.

Signed and Sealed,

Ikaros Dragases

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Pelasgian Empire

ΕΝ ΤΟΥΤΩΙ ΝΙΚΑ
​

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

Also we are highly concerned about the arrestments of the three young men and their priest. Like the Eiffellandian King Philipp IV said: "Jeder soll nach seiner Façon selig werden." Translated, everyone has to go to Heaven along the path he chooses. With that phrase, he issued a law guaranteeing freedom of religion in Eiffelland. This law is still standing, and also guarantees Muslims to build Mosques in Eiffelland and preach.
Furthermore, we have to take note of the fact that people might doubt from time to time, and that doubt may lead to the notion that a different path to Heaven has to be chosen. That is what these three young men did: They are still worshipping God, but chose a different way to worship Him, a way that is even protected under His law as dictated to the Muslims. Strictly speaking, Surah 16:106 as cited in the Times of Zanzibar indicates what happens to people who completely loose their faith in God and become atheist, but leaves room for choosing a different way to worship God. "Jeder soll nach seiner Façon selig werden."
We also took note of the fate of the Christian Priest, who is currently under suspicion of having preached a false religion. We are a bit puzzled about that: If the Christian community is protected under God's law, it is strange to consider Christianity a false religion. The fact that the Christian community is protected under Islamic law is an indication that God leaves room for alternative paths to worship him. "Jeder soll nach seiner Façon selig werden."
Based on this, also we plea for the release of these four individuals.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor