Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir bin Ally is the Chief Mufti of Tanzania and the head of the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA). Appointed to the highest Islamic office in the country in 2015, Sheikh Zubeir leads a vast demographic, as Muslims constitute a massive percentage of the Tanzanian population, particularly along the coast and in Zanzibar. Sheikh Zubeir has been a powerful force for modernization within BAKWATA, heavily promoting secular education alongside Islamic studies, and forging strong ties with international Islamic bodies in Morocco, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. He is celebrated for his moderate stance and his unwavering commitment to interfaith dialogue, regularly appearing alongside Christian bishops to condemn extremism and promote national cohesion. Politically, he is deeply embedded in the state apparatus, frequently officiating state functions and offering prayers that align the religious establishment with the government's development agenda.