A visit by U.S Ambassador to Tanzania Alfonso Lenhardt and U.S. Air Force Muslim chaplain Captain Walid Habash to the village of Micheweni, April 29, 2010, was cause for excitement throughout the community. Habash visited Tanzania on his first stop while traveling throughout East Africa to strengthen relationships between the American people and Muslim communities.

"I can already see a huge impact whether we are connecting with key leaders or average people," Habash said. "I think we are going a long way to building bridges between our nations."

Chaplain Habash began his visit with community leaders inside Micheweni's 16th Century mosque, which is also known as Shumba Mjini.
"I have been to places where I have felt welcome but not felt at home," said Habash. "The people today have made me feel very welcome like I was at home, like I belong."

Ambassador Lenhardt, Chaplain Habash and Micheweni leaders unveiled a dedication plaque for the water cistern recently restored through a partnership between the U.S. Navy's Maritime Civil Affairs Team and the Tanzanian People's Defence Force. The cistern restoration project, which is a gift from the American people to the people of Shumba Mjini Village, provides local families greater access to clean water.

"We are very happy to be visited by Imam Habash," said Nassar Abdullah, the Imam of the Mosque of Shumba Mjini village. "We are thankful to the people of America."

Habash is currently traveling throughout East Africa to promote American contributions to peace, opportunity and mutual understanding in the region.