BY SYLIVESTER DOMASA
Religious leaders in Tanzania have been urged to be righteous and
champions of advocating peace and unity as it used to be to Prophet
Mohammad (SAW) whose birthday was celebrated yesterday.
The call was made on Friday evening by Zanzibar President Dr Ali
Mohamed Shein during Maulid prayers at Majimuat Mosque in Temeke
district of Dar es Salaam, also attended by former President Ali
Hassan Mwinyi, government officials, members of Parliament, religious
leaders, diplomats and IPP Executive Chairman Dr Reginald Mengi.
In his greetings to Muslims across the nation, Dr Shein reminded
believers that the prophet led a righteous life and was an advocate of
peace and unity.
He said Prophet Muhammad encouraged inter-faith dialogue and religious
pluralism.
“So I say, as he was a religious leader, we need to build a culture of
dialogue, debate our challenges and differences for the betterment of
our nation. The Prophet was a beacon of ethics and arbiter of morality
for all Muslims,” the President said.
Dr Shein said a good way of clearing differences between conflicting
sides is by dialogue and arbitration.
“There is no reason to fight between us. Each one of us has equal
rights defined in the mother laws, our constitutions,” he said, noting
that peace and unity are critical and need to be preserved.
The President stated, however, that it was high time that members of
the community and parents train the younger generation to be conveyors
of peace and good ethical conduct.
“The Prophet trained us to be as one, patient and maintain respect,”
he emphasised.
Retired President Mwinyi, for his part condemned insults, killings and
jealousy held by religious followers saying such acts will
automatically deter peace and unity prevailing in the nation for 50
years.
He said the country has numerous tribes and several religions with
equal rights and that no one needs to project themselves as better
than the other.
“Muslim can’t drive out the country of pagans or Christians, the same
applies to pagans or Christians…it’s not possible because we all have
the mandate and rights to be followers of a religion of our choice,
bearing in mind that we don’t break the laws of our country,” he
cautioned.
The former president reminded Muslims to accept the condition of
religious pluralism that the country adopted and respect one’s
entitled rights.
Earlier, Sheikh Majid Salehe called upon political leaders to champion
peace and unity instead of instigating conflicts in the society.
Religious insults must be addressed through roundtable discussions,
not violence and demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the Dar es Salaam Peace Committee awarded certificates of
recognition to outstanding Tanzanians who have played a major part in
promoting peace and unity in the country.
The chairman of the Dar es Salaam religious leaders’ peace committee
and the region’s chief sheikh, Alhaj Musa Salum named former President
Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa and the IPP
Executive Chairman Dr. Reginald Mengi as recipients of the award.
Others who featured in the list include the Chief Sheikh, Mufti Issa
Shaaban Simba, Defence Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, Industry and
Trade Minister Abdallah Kigoda, Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadiki
and the NCCR-Mageuzi National Chairman James Mbatia.
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