A peace conference of religious leaders and various denominations in the northern region has raised seven points ahead of the October 29 general elections this year, while calling on state agencies to strive to use wisdom towards it.
Speaking at the conference, which was held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (KKKT) hall at Uhuru Hostel, in Moshi, Sheikhs, Bishops, Pastors and pastors from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Tanga regions together urged Tanzanians to maintain peace in the general elections and called for all those who preach or incite violence to be ignored.
Reading the resolutions of the conference after religious leaders gave their instructions ahead of the general elections, the Secretary of the Central Council of Muslims, (BAKWATA) Kilimanjaro region, Alhaji Awadhi Lema, agreed with leaders and all citizens to encourage all people who registered to vote to verify their names and turn out in large numbers to vote.
Alhaji Lema said they are also determined to continue holding peace conferences to remind Tanzanians of the importance of maintaining peace.
“In this conference, we have also agreed that it is good for state institutions to continue to use wisdom and prudence in maintaining peace, especially on election day”, he said.
He also said they have resolved that religious leaders should educate believers about their rights and responsibilities in maintaining peace and urge all Tanzanians to avoid incitement on social media or any other media.
“We have also proposed expanding the scope of participation of religious leaders in law-making or decision-making bodies and we have agreed that it is the responsibility of every citizen to maintain peace when demanding justice”, he said.
Speaking at the conference, the Sheikh of Kilimanjaro region, Sheikh Shaban Mlewa, and the Sheikh of Arusha region, Sheikh Shaban Juma, jointly called on Tanzanians to strive at all costs to maintain peace and stability in the country.
Sheikh Mlewa said there is a lot to learn from various countries that were peaceful but have now entered into major chaos and Faith has become difficult to return to.
“It is very important for Tanzanians to be patriotic by loving their country, loving each other, forgiving each other and being just in order to continue to respect the peace and stability that exists now”, he said
Sheikh of the Arusha region, Sheikh Shaban Juma, there is no justice if there is no peace because a place where there is no peace, it is difficult to find justice.
“Peace is built on three main principles which are recognizing God, recognizing your soul to protect the rights and lives of other people”, he said
He said the general election should not make Tanzanians flee their country, due to the lack of peace, it is very important for Tanzanians to exercise their right to stand in the election to choose the leaders they want without fear or violence.
Assistant to the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Northern Diocese, Advocate Reverend Daniel Swai said, it is very important for every Tanzanian to recognize and protect his right including the right to vote.
He said it is a great mistake for anyone to come forward and encourage other people not to fulfill their duty to vote.
However, he encouraged justice and peace and explained that justice is the provision of something equally, something that is deserved and true for everyone and explained that peace and Justice are things that go together.
Assistant to the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Moshi, Father Deogratias Matiika, it is very important to protect the existing peace but also to consider the provision of equal justice for all.
“We must protect the rights of the people, our leaders must respect the citizens but also the citizens must respect the leaders, because in recent days things have emerged that are not like citizens insulting leaders on social media”, he said
Father Matiika said leaders should protect justice, if it is not present in society, the nation will go wrong and therefore it is also important to always pray for justice in the nation.
Father Francis Mahimbo of the Anglican Church, Diocese of Tanga, wanted the rights of the people to continue to be protected in the nation and to build a habit of tolerance.
He said the foundation of peace is justice and therefore it is very important in a nation that people’s rights are protected so that the nation continues to have peace and stability”, he said
The conference was also attended by leaders of religious committees for youth and women, who together called on Tanzanians to participate in the general election in peace and stability and to exclude leaders or people who incite violence and lawlessness.
