Dar Es Salaam - A Tanzanian Muslim cleric was charged Thursday along with dozens of supporters with incitement to violence during demonstrations last week, officials said.
Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda, head of the Jumuiya ya wa Islamu Ä the "community of Islam", a group not recognised by the Tanzanian government Ä urged his supporters to grab land and property, said prosecution lawyer Tumaini Kweka.
The charges follow violent demonstrations last week in the economic capital Dar es Salaam, when rioters marched through the city, sacking several churches.
The demonstrations were sparked by rumours that a 12-year old boy at a Christian school had urinated on a copy of the Koran, according to the police.
Ponda, who was arrested Wednesday and has been denied bail, was also charged with trespass and theft. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In addition, 49 of his supporters also appeared before a magistrate's court in Dar es Salaam.
The case was adjourned to November 1. - Sapa-AFP
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