ZANZIBAR : ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has extended warm Christmas greetings to the Christian community both locally and globally, calling on all people to uphold peace and religious tolerance as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
In his Christmas message shared through social media, Dr Mwinyi emphasised the importance of the holiday, highlighting the universal values of love, brotherhood, tolerance and unity, which are essential for the progress of any society.
“Warm wishes to you all and a Merry Christmas filled with love and solidarity for families and communities. This is the time to strengthen love, show religious tolerance and uphold the freedom to worship,” he said.
Dr Mwinyi further urged citizens to continue celebrating the festive season with peace and harmony, emphasising that this reflects the nation’s unity.
Earlier, during the Christmas Mass, Bishop Augustine Ndeliakyama Shao of the Roman Catholic Church, Diocese of Zanzibar, spoke out about justice.
“We cannot truly claim that God is with us if we do not genuinely address issues of justice for all,” he said. He continued, “The foundation of governance is justice for all and accountability for those in leadership. The selfishness of some officials and the improper sale of public assets are serious risks to our nation’s future.”
In his homily, Bishop Shao condemned the misuse of power and the embezzlement of public funds and property by some in positions of authority.
ALSO READ:CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS:Samia calls for unity
He also expressed disappointment with the local government elections held last month, citing significant flaws. He called for future elections, including next year’s general elections, to prioritise fairness and transparency.
“As we celebrate Christmas, let us reject conflict, act justly, build peace and reach out to those we may have forgotten. We urge our leaders to respect the constitution and encourage us all to send messages of love to those who oppose us, while also inspiring the youth,” Bishop Shao said.
He also commended the Zanzibar government for its ongoing projects, noting that they signify a promising future for the region.
However, he stressed the importance of actively contributing to the nation’s development by becoming more responsible citizens.
