Faith-based values seen as key to national healing

DAR ES SALAAM: AS the country continues to navigate the aftermath of the October 2025 General Election, which was marked by incidents that disrupted peace in some areas, citizens have been urged to embrace religious teachings and moral values as a foundation for peaceful coexistence, reconciliation and national unity.

Religious leaders, analysts and social commentators are increasingly stressing that faith-based values remain essential in rebuilding trust, restoring social cohesion and preventing future instability in society.

The call comes amid growing recognition that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through political or legal mechanisms alone, but also requires strong moral and spiritual foundations that shape individual behaviour and community relations.

Across different faith traditions, principles such as patience, humility, forgiveness, honesty, tolerance and respect for others are viewed as crucial tools for managing social and political differences, especially during sensitive national periods.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily News Digital, Secretary of the Council of Clerics under the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA), Sheikh Hassan Chizenga, said strengthening faith among citizens is central to promoting peace and national unity.

He explained that religion plays a preventive role in society by nurturing moral consciousness and discouraging actions that may trigger violence, hatred or division among citizens.

“In order to remain united, we must adhere to our religious teachings. With strong faith, we can significantly contribute to sustainable peace in our country,” he said.

According to Sheikh Chizenga, religion serves as a moral compass that guides individuals towards responsible conduct and encourages communities to resolve disagreements peacefully.

He noted that belief in divine accountability encourages ethical behaviour because individuals who understand that their actions will ultimately be judged by God are more likely to act responsibly and avoid harming others.

“When people cultivate strong faith and understand that God will judge their deeds after their life on Earth, they create an environment where peace predominantly prevails,” he said.

The cleric stressed that although political and social disagreements are inevitable in any democratic society, differences should never be allowed to escalate into violence or hatred. Reflecting on incidents that occurred after the election, Sheikh Chizenga called for collective responsibility in preventing the recurrence of unrest and strengthening the spirit of tolerance among citizens.

“People should agree to disagree. They should learn to live together despite their differences,” he said.

His remarks reflect wider concerns among religious leaders that civic disagreements, if not handled constructively, may undermine social stability, weaken national unity and affect development progress.

According to the cleric, maintaining peace requires continuous efforts from all sections of society, including political leaders, religious institutions, civil society organisations, families and the media. He urged religious leaders to actively participate in the national recovery process by continuing to preach peace, unity and reconciliation in places of worship and within communities.

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Sheikh Chizenga said most religions share common moral teachings centred on justice, compassion, honesty and respect for humanity. When consistently practised, he noted, such values reduce the likelihood of violence, discrimination and social breakdown.

“These values help transform individuals into responsible citizens and agents of peace within their communities,” he said. However, he warned that faith institutions risk losing their moral influence when they abandon their guiding principles and become excessively influenced by divisive secular interests.

“Religions lose direction when they abandon their core guiding principles and adopt secular thinking,” he cautioned.

The cleric also expressed concern over the growing influence of social media, which he described as both a useful communication tool and a potential source of instability when misused. He warned that misinformation, fake news and inflammatory content shared online can fuel misunderstanding, spread fear and provoke unnecessary tensions within communities.

According to him, irresponsible use of digital platforms during politically sensitive periods may worsen existing divisions and create mistrust among citizens. In this regard, he urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it online and to avoid spreading messages that may incite hatred or violence.

“People must use social media responsibly because words and misinformation can easily create unnecessary panic and conflict,” he said.

The cleric further called upon young people, who form a large proportion of social media users, to become ambassadors of peace by promoting truthful information and respectful dialogue online. Sheikh Chizenga also expressed cautious optimism over the ongoing investigation by the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the October 2025 post-election violence.

He said the Commission’s work could contribute significantly to national healing by establishing facts, strengthening accountability and helping the country move forward in unity.

According to him, justice and truth are important pillars in any reconciliation process because they help restore public confidence and reduce tensions within society. He also urged believers from all faiths to pray for the success of the Commission’s work, describing the process as part of broader national efforts to restore harmony and strengthen social cohesion.

“Peace must always be protected because it is the foundation of development and national progress,” he stressed.

Analysts and religious leaders broadly agree that peace is not only a political outcome but also a social and spiritual condition that directly influences economic growth, investment and public wellbeing. Societies that maintain peace and stability are often better positioned to attract investment, strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery and create opportunities for citizens.

Beyond spiritual guidance, religious institutions also influence values, attitudes and behaviour at family and community levels, making them key stakeholders in peacebuilding efforts.

Community leaders have also been encouraged to strengthen dialogue platforms that bring together people from different political, ethnic and religious backgrounds in order to promote understanding and cooperation.

As the country continues with recovery and reconciliation efforts following the elections, religious leaders maintain that nurturing faith, tolerance and mutual respect remains essential in safeguarding national unity and ensuring lasting peace for future generations.