Cleric decries unhealthy religious debates

DODOMA: THE Presiding Bishop of Carmel Assemblies of God Tanzania, Dr Evance Chande, has advised religious leaders to stop engaging in debates about other faiths on social media, warning that such discussions could incite unrest in the country.

The cleric made the appeal recently while leading the congregation to welcome New Year 2026 at the church’s headquarters located at Ipangala, Dodoma.

He noted that Tanzanian communities are deeply interwoven, with families, clans and neighbourhoods often comprising people of different faiths who cooperate in all social activities.

The Bishop also called on the government to intervene and condemn such discussions, taking measures to prevent them from escalating, as they could hinder national development.

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“I urge the government to stop these debates happening on social media, as they could threaten the peace of our nation,” he said.

He added that such debates are unhealthy for both the nation and the government, emphasising that discussions of religion on social media should be halted.

“I appeal to religious leaders to refrain from debates that could create conflicts between faiths, this is something we are not accustomed to,” he said.

Moreover, Bishop Chande led the congregation in prayers for the nation and its leaders, stressing the importance of cooperation and seeking God’s forgiveness for everything that happened in 2025.