DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has reaffirmed the government’s recognition of religious leaders’ role in fostering the country’s sustainable development through the promotion of morality and good deeds.
“The six-phase government embraces the contribution of religious leaders to national development. Such contributions encompass advocacy for morality, strengthening the country’s culture, and ensuring that Tanzanians do good deeds to yield national tranquility,” Mr Majaliwa said.
He made the statement on Sunday while gracing a gospel concert dubbed ‘Mtoko wa Pasaka,’ literally translared as Easter Sunday Outing.
The event was organised by the local media in Dar es Salaam and brought together a diverse group of gospel singers, Christian religious leaders, and believers to praise Jesus’ resurrection through songs and prayers.
Mr Majaliwa said religious leaders have spiritual and trustful voices that guide citizens to good deeds and national development through preaching.
Furthermore, he urged gospel singers and other artists to craft songs that lead audiences to appropriate moral conduct, appreciating their critical role in nourishing mental health and heightening unity.
He called on believers of all religions across the country to use the ongoing holy season, including Easter and Eid al-Fitri, to cherish love, peace, good deeds, and the country’s cultural values and customs.
Additionally, PM Majaliwa demanded that citizens abstain from bad deeds such as thievery, revenge, gender violence, including rape, and fraud.
To strengthen faith institutions in the country, he said the government will continue supporting all religions in conducting their activities, including those involving concerts and other forms of mass gatherings.
Moreover, Mr Majaliwa reminded the gathering of the importance of fully participating in the upcoming Local Government election scheduled for later this year.
This year, Tanzania is expected to hold civic polls to elect street, hamlet, and village leaders, while the elections for Councillors, Members of Parliament (MPs) and the President are slated for next year.
The Premier also called on all Tanzanians, regardless of their political, religious, and ethnic affiliations, to actively participate in the process of updating their information and those who have not registered in the voters’ register to do so to be eligible to vote during elections.
“I call upon my fellow Tanzanians to turn out in large numbers at the designated centres to register so that you do not lose your right to vote,” he emphasised.
Local government elections are held every five years, with the last one held in 2019 and the next one expected to be held at the end of this year.
Also, PM Majaliwa said the government is spearheading the preparation of the National Development Vision 2050, emphasising the importance of all citizens contributing their views on the kind of Tanzania they dream of in the next 25 years.
Mr Majaliwa mentioned tasks that will follow in the preparation of the New National Development Vision, such as public education through a national campaign to sensitise citizens to participate in the preparation of the vision and distribute a report on the collection of views.
Other tasks include analysing the evaluation report on the implementation of Vision 2025 for the preparation of specific policy papers to be considered in the new vision, identifying and conducting research in various areas that will provide information for writing the new vision, in-depth professional analysis and discussions with experts in areas that will guide the writing of the vision, learning from the experiences of countries that have made major development reforms in various sectors, and writing the new vision.
The PM called upon Tanzanians to participate in giving their views and urged all leaders at the Regional, District, Council, Ward/Shehia, and Street/Village levels to mobilise and educate people living in their areas to participate fully in contributing their views to the new vision.
“The media should also set aside time and prioritise educating and mobilising citizens about the importance of participating in providing views. Prepare special programs and articles so that every citizen can get information. Community radio stations should also be actively involved in educating the public,” Majaliwa said.
