Mpango to lead Tanzanians in International Day of Peace symposium

DAR ES SALAAM: Vice President Dr Philip Mpango is expected to lead over 2,000 participants, including diplomats and religious leaders, in a major symposium marking the International Day of Peace.

The event, organized by the Chairman of the Religious Committee on Peace and Reconciliation, will be held at Karimjee grounds in Dar es Salaam.

Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, the committee’s chairperson, Sheikh Alhad Mussa Salum, announced that attendees will include political leaders, diplomats, and representatives from various religious groups.

He mentioned that the gathering will also feature prayers for the nation in light of rising criminal activities, including murders and kidnappings, which President Samia Suluhu Hassan has strongly condemned.

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“As religious leaders, our duty is to pray for the nation. We believe these prayers will ensure God’s continued blessings on Tanzania and preserve the peace we cherish,” he said.

He added that the symposium will also address issues of nationalism, national unity, and the brotherhood that binds Tanzanians together.

Sheikh Salum emphasized that religious leaders have the responsibility of encouraging and reminding politicians to uphold the nation’s peace.

“Peace is the foundation of all development, and without it, progress is impossible. It is our collective responsibility to protect it,” he stressed.

The International Day of Peace, observed globally on September 21 each year, was established by the United Nations in 1981 and designated as a day of non-violence and ceasefire in 2001.

According to the UN, this year’s global theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” emphasizes the need for sustained efforts to build peaceful societies.