Peace comes first, say religious leaders

SINGIDA: TANZANIANS have been urged to cherish and protect the nation’s peace and stability, especially as the country approaches the General Election later this month.

Religious leaders have called on citizens from all walks of life to refrain from actions that could incite unrest or damage the country’s long-standing reputation for peace and unity.

Speaking to the ‘Daily News’, Evangelist Musa Njagamba of the Anglican Church, Singida Town Parish said that peace is a divine blessing that should never be taken for granted.

“We do not want to see violence or war. Our hope is to see people going to vote calmly and peacefully. These are our constant prayers and we believe the Lord God will watch over our nation,” said Evangelist Njagamba.

He urged Tanzanians to actively participate in the electoral process by voting for leaders of their choice, while also recognising their shared responsibility to preserve national harmony.

“Everyone must understand the importance of exercising their constitutional right to vote, but also the duty to protect peace that Tanzania is known for. Without peace, we lose the freedom to worship, to study and to live our lives normally,” he said.

Njagamba warned that instability would have farreaching consequences, particularly on vulnerable groups such as children, who risk losing access to education and a safe environment.

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“Peace is the foundation of everything, worship, education, business and daily life. If we fail to protect it, we will regret it when things fall apart,” he said.

He further emphasised that choosing not to vote is a missed opportunity to shape the country’s future.

“When you are given the chance to vote, use it wisely. Select a leader you believe will lead Tanzania forward. If you ignore this responsibility, you lose something deeply important,” he added.

As the election nears, the message from faith leaders has always been clear: Peace must remain the top priority, and Tanzanians must unite to ensure a smooth, democratic and peaceful electoral process.

In March this year, during a service to inaugurate the new church building of the Kirua Parish in the Eastern Kilimanjaro Diocese, Bishop Dr Fredrick Shoo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Northern Diocese made a resounding appeal for peace and justice during the electoral season.

Addressing worshipers, Bishop Shoo highlighted the October 2025 election which will include the election of councilors, members of parliament and the president, as a critical moment for national unity and democratic participation.

He urged Tanzanians to approach the elections with dignity, encouraging every eligible citizen to come out in large numbers and vote peacefully.

Bishop Shoo’s message centred on the moral duty of citizens to participate actively in the election process, without fear, intimidation, or manipulation.

The Tanzania Peace and Reconciliation Community, which comprises senior religious figures from both Islamic and Christian faiths, with a core mission to promote national unity and resolve religious, political and social conflicts has also frequently called for peace.

Chairman of Sheikhs and Bishops, Dr Sheikh Alhaji Mussa Salim, has always reiterated the organisation’s unwavering commitment to fostering peace and harmony without discrimination based on religion, culture, race, or political ideology.

“Our mission is to uphold peace and tranquility among Tanzanians regardless of their faith or background. We also seek to mediate and bring lasting solutions to issues that create division in our country,” said Dr Sheikh Mussa.

The religious leaders pledged to continue working together to maintain national cohesion and called upon all citizens, political actors and institutions to prioritise peace and dialogue as the nation approaches the general elections