Contrary to American suspicions, Zanzibar and, indeed, all of Tanzania is free of terrorist activity. Well, yes, there were a few threats made to establishments that serve alcohol, and yes, that is in line with Sharia prohibitions against the dhimmis “displaying wine,” but it was, uh, burglars, you see. Yeah, that’s it: burglars. From the Washington Times, :
The United States and Tanzania are locked in an uneasy embrace as they attempt to combat terrorism on Africa’s east coast, with the Bush administration persistently fingering the country as a potential al Qaeda hide-out. . . .
The nation of 36 million people is about 35 percent Muslim. Islam is most predominant along its coast, notably on the island of Zanzibar popular with tourists. The United States strongly suspects that al Qaeda operatives move easily in the region, either from Somalia into neighboring states such as Kenya or Tanzania. . . .
Vuai Mohammed, executive secretary of Zanzibar’s Commission on Tourism, complains bitterly that the island is being targeted unfairly by the United States. The number of tourists from Britain dropped by half last year because of the travel warnings.
“What is it they want us to do?” Mr. Mohammed said. “There hasn’t been a single incident on Zanzibar.”
He acknowledged that some Muslims had threatened several bars and restaurants on Zanzibar with attacks if they did not stop serving alcohol. But he blamed the incidents on “burglars” who wrapped themselves in the mantle of Islam but were really common criminals.