Ramadan, Lent inspire unity
- Samia stresses prayers for peace, solidarity and prosperity
DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on Muslims and Christians across Tanzania to unite in prayer for national peace, solidarity and prosperity as the country enters the rare overlap of the holy seasons of Ramadan and Lent.
In a message shared yesterday via her official platforms, the Head of State extended “Ramadan Mubarak” wishes to the Muslim Ummah and a blessed Lenten season to the Christian faithful, emphasising the spiritual significance of these concurrent journeys of faith.
Addressing those observing the Holy Month of Ramadan, President Samia urged believers to express gratitude for the opportunity to witness the sacred month once again.
“I wish all Muslims a blessed Ramadan. Let us bow in gratitude to Almighty God for enabling us to reach this holy month in faith,” she stated.
Drawing on the Holy Qur’an (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183), she encouraged reflection on fasting as a path to attaining God-consciousness (Taqwa), while seeking divine intervention for the nation’s continued stability.
To Christians beginning Lent with Ash Wednesday, President Samia described the season as a significant spiritual journey, marked by reflection and renewal of faith.
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“I wish all Christians a blessed and fruitful Lent. May this sacred journey you begin with Ash Wednesday strengthen your relationship with God and inspire continued prayers for our country’s peace, unity and prosperity,” she said.
She further urged Christians to reflect on the Holy Bible, Joel 2:12–13, which calls believers to return to God with sincere repentance, fasting and humility. Meanwhile, Vice-President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi joined worshippers yesterday for Ash Wednesday Mass at St Paul’s Catholic Parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dodoma.
The service was led by Auxiliary Bishop Wilbroad Kibozi. In his sermon, Bishop Kibozi encouraged believers to use the Lenten period to support the needy and pray for families, youths, children and the nation at large.
He emphasised that as Christians and Muslims observe their respective fasting seasons around the same time, they should promote love, respect and mutual care. Bishop Kibozi also urged businesspeople to act with kindness and generosity, stressing that the season should not be used to raise food prices but rather to ease the burden on citizens.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and charity observed by Christians in preparation for Easter, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting from dawn to sunset, spiritual reflection, prayer and charity.
The month, which commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an, lasts 29 or 30 days and concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
