Dar Es Salaam, (The Muslim News): The Muslim Council of Tanzania (Bakwata) Thursday elected Abubakari Zubeiry bin Ally as the country’s new Mufti [Chief Sheikh]. The Sheikh has been serving as the acting Mufti since June when his predecessor, Sheikh Simba Shaaban Simba’s death.
Dar es Salaam Region Sheikh, Alhadi Mussa Salim, who chaired the election committee, announcing the winner, Sheikh Zubeiry, said he was elected unopposed after his opponent, Sheikh Ali Muhidini Mkoyogile withdrew his candidacy at last minute. Earlier, Ulamaa Council of Tanzania had droppe two of the four candidates who contested the position, Sheikh Hamis Mtupa and Sheikh Hassan Kiburwa, because they fell short of the required criteria
According to Sheikh Salim, Sheikh Zubeiry received votes from 310 out of 350 members from across the country.
Sheikh Zubeiry was born in 1953 in Tanga Region and has held various leadership positions in Bakwata, and also as a member of the Ulamaa Council for 22 years.