TANZANIANS have been urged to honour, respect and safeguard the strong foundations established by the late Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and his fellow nation-builders to preserve Tanzania’s name, which is respected around the globe.
The call was made by the Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Fr Charles Kitima during a meeting of the Northern Zone of the Interfaith Forum held recently in Moshi, Kilimanjaro. TEC is the national body representing the Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Tanzania.
“Mwalimu Nyerere and his colleagues laid the groundwork for key principles, including democracy and made Tanzania a sanctuary for other nations. Many countries gained their independence through Tanzania, which served as a centre for their struggle for freedom,” Fr Kitima emphasised.
Fr Kitima further insisted that in order to maintain respect and harmony, it is essential for current leaders to remember and uphold the values of respect left behind by the Father of the Nation.
He said that to achieve the goal, leaders must condemn all acts of evil that threaten the peace that Tanzanians currently enjoy.
“If leaders remain silent, these evils will persist and the nation will suffer. It is crucial to remember that all holy books remind us of our duty to condemn evil.
Failing to do so is displeasing to Almighty God,” he said. In his remarks, Chairman of the Northern Zone of the Interfaith Forum, Bishop Dr Frederick Shoo, stressed that for the nation to remain strong, it must have effective and reliable governing systems.
“The systems of governance were established by God. The Holy Scriptures teach us that God himself created the world according to a divine plan over six days.
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Bishop Dr Shoo, who leads the Northern Zone of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT-ND), urged both religious and political leaders at all levels to condemn all evils in order to ensure the nation’s continued strength.
“You may face reprisal for standing up for the truth, but do not be discouraged. As leaders, you must recognise your responsibility to stand for justice and truth at all times,” he said.
During the event, which involved leaders from the regions of Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Singida and Tanga, Dr Shoo also urged leaders and citizens to critically assess the information they receive, particularly from social media, before accepting it as true.
“Unfortunately, some people believe everything they hear or read without verifying the source. This can lead to decisions that are later regretted. Always investigate the source of information before acting on it, especially if you plan to share or re
