Samia urges peace, generosity

DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday called on Tanzanians to uphold peace, dignity and generosity within their communities as Muslims across the country joined fellow believers worldwide in celebrating Eid al-Adha.

In a message shared on her Instagram page, President Samia urged Tanzanians to celebrate with peace and love, remember those in need and continue maintaining humanity and generosity in society. “I wish you all a blessed Eid al-Adha. Let us celebrate with hearts full of peace and love, while remembering our brothers and sisters in need and continuing to uphold dignity and generosity in the society.

May Almighty God, full of mercy, accept our prayers and sacrifices and continue to bless our nation,” President Samia said.

National Eid al-Adha prayers were held at the King Mohammed VI Mosque at the headquarters of the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, bringing together religious leaders, government officials and worshippers from across the country.

The prayers were followed by an Eid Baraza officiated by the Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, who represented Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba. Mr Ulega conveyed Eid greetings to Muslims nationwide on behalf of President Samia and Dr Nchemba.

He said the country’s top leaders continue to emphasise the importance of safeguarding national peace, unity and social cohesion.

Mr Ulega said Eid al-Adha and the Hajj pilgrimage carry important lessons on humility, equality and togetherness, as millions of Muslims from different backgrounds gather in Mecca for worship without discrimination.

“The Hajj pilgrimage teaches us that before God, all people are equal. In Mecca, people live, pray and worship together regardless of whether one is rich or poor, black or white, powerful or ordinary,” he said. He added that the spirit of Eid should inspire Tanzanians to strengthen national solidarity and continue protecting the country’s long-standing peace and harmony.

“Tanzanians are one people and our Tanzania is one nation; therefore, our leaders should continue to urge us to preserve our peace, unity and solidarity,” he said.

Acting Mufti of Tanzania, Sheikh Ally Ngeruko, expressed concern over what he described as a growing global decline in moral values affecting politics, education, economic systems and social welfare.

Sheikh Ngeruko said followers of the Abrahamic faiths, including Muslims, Christians and Jews, share a common responsibility to stand together against injustice and moral decay.

“My appeal to all believers is that we should unite in rejecting oppression and promoting righteousness and justice in society,” he said.

Despite differences in religious beliefs, Sheikh Ngeruko stressed that peace, stability and moral responsibility remain universal values needed by all communities.

He also called on parents, religious leaders and communities to invest more time in mentoring young people, urging mosques and religious institutions to establish programmes focusing on moral education, religion, economic empowerment and civic awareness.

Sheikh Ngeruko further encouraged the introduction of smallscale empowerment initiatives to support youth development, saying such efforts would help build a more disciplined and responsible society.