President leads the nation in mourning Mufti Simba’s death

Dar es Salaam. President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday led the nation in mourning Chief Sheikh Issa Shaaban Simba, 78, who died yesterday in Dar es Salaam.

The President sent his condolences from South Africa where he was attending the AU heads of state summit. He said he joined Muslims in mourning the death of Sheikh Simba.

He described him as a teacher and a leader who served his religion for the benefit of the public around him.

Others who sent their messages of condolences include the minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Dr Fenella Mukangara and opposition Chadema who both said it was sad for the nation to lose such a leader especially at this moment, saying he will be remembered for his outstanding role in uniting Tanzanians.

Sheikh Simba will be buried today in Shinyaga Region as per his will, family members said.

Mr Suleiman Issa Simba, a son of the deceased, said yesterday that the body of Sheikh Simba who died at TMJ Hospital in Dar as Salaam will be interred at Majengo area at 4pm today.

Sheikh Simba who led Bakwata had been admitted for treatment. He was suffering from hypertension and diabetes for a long time.

His body was transported last evening to Mwanza from where it would be transported to Shinyanga. “With this arrangement, there will be no activities for paying last respects to the departed Chief Sheikh,” he said.

Earlier at a news conference at Bakwata offices, Dar es Salaam regional Sheikh, Alhad Mussa Salum told journalists that Sheikh Simba will be buried on Thursday. “We had plans to bury him on Thursday but we have received information from the late Mufti‘s wife that he said he should be buried soon after his death,” he said. Muslims in Dar es Salaam and Shinyanga regions have planned for special prayers for him.

Mourners were pouring in at the deceased’s home in the city to condole the family.

Close family members described him as an exemplary leader who was trustful, accountable and cool.

“The Muslim community has lost a unique person,” said his son. Another of his sons, Mr Nassor Kapompo, told The Citizen that his father’s condition deteroriated on Sunday evening upon which he was rushed to TMJ and admitted.

Sheikh Simba, who has left behind 11 children, joined the Muslim Council of Tanzania (Bakwata) in 1968 and had been a lecturer at colleges in different regions of Mwanza and Bukoba.

He was Chief Sheikh for Shinyanga Region in 1970 before being picked as National Chief Sheikh in 2003.