Row Between Government and Muslims Over Vasco da Gama's Fete
April 4, 1998 - 0:0
MOMBASA, Kenya A row is simmering between the Kenyan government and Muslims from the coastal town of Malindi over the planned commemoration of Vasco da Gama's historic call there on his voyage to India in the 15th century. A delegation of Muslim scholars, religious and village elders presented Malindi District Commissioner Clare Omolo Wednesday with a strongly-worded memorandum calling for the cancelation of the planned fete.
The memorandum branded the Portuguese explorer a brute, and said the Islamic community would not honor such a person. The Muslims contended that after having been accorded a warm reception, the explorer abused the hospitality and later attacked Mombasa and Malindi and caused bloodshed. The delegation appealed to Omolo to annul the proposed fete to avert mass demonstrations in Malindi, 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the port city of Mombasa. But the discussions ended in a standoff after Omolo said the celebrations had to continue as scheduled since the government and the Portuguese Embassy in Kenya had spent a lot of money and time to prepare for and publicize the joint event.
Many dignitaries, including ministers and ambassadors, had been invited to the fete, set to kick off on April 9 this year, Omolo said, arguing that its staging was meant to help revamp tourism, which as suffered drastically from violence last year along the coast. A Local District Development Committee meeting, also attended by the area's member of Parliament Abubakar Badawy has given its agreement for the celebrations.
Portuguese Ambassador to Kenya Jose Pereira, recently in Malindi to oversee the preparations for the commemoration, said in a meeting with officials it was also meant to strengthen existing cordial relations between the two countries. Vasco da Gama's call in Mombasa and Malindi between 1497 and 1498 led to the construction of Fort Jesus, now a popular museum in Mombasa, and the Vasco da Gama's pillar in Malindi, both of which are major tourist attractions.
Pereira said that after his recent visit to the area, his country was planning to support conservation of the monuments, besides backing development projects in Kenya. (AFP)
The memorandum branded the Portuguese explorer a brute, and said the Islamic community would not honor such a person. The Muslims contended that after having been accorded a warm reception, the explorer abused the hospitality and later attacked Mombasa and Malindi and caused bloodshed. The delegation appealed to Omolo to annul the proposed fete to avert mass demonstrations in Malindi, 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the port city of Mombasa. But the discussions ended in a standoff after Omolo said the celebrations had to continue as scheduled since the government and the Portuguese Embassy in Kenya had spent a lot of money and time to prepare for and publicize the joint event.
Many dignitaries, including ministers and ambassadors, had been invited to the fete, set to kick off on April 9 this year, Omolo said, arguing that its staging was meant to help revamp tourism, which as suffered drastically from violence last year along the coast. A Local District Development Committee meeting, also attended by the area's member of Parliament Abubakar Badawy has given its agreement for the celebrations.
Portuguese Ambassador to Kenya Jose Pereira, recently in Malindi to oversee the preparations for the commemoration, said in a meeting with officials it was also meant to strengthen existing cordial relations between the two countries. Vasco da Gama's call in Mombasa and Malindi between 1497 and 1498 led to the construction of Fort Jesus, now a popular museum in Mombasa, and the Vasco da Gama's pillar in Malindi, both of which are major tourist attractions.
Pereira said that after his recent visit to the area, his country was planning to support conservation of the monuments, besides backing development projects in Kenya. (AFP)