Samia: We’re grateful

ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed her gratitude to Tanzanians and other well-wishers who stood by her and her family following the death and burial of her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan.

The message was conveyed yesterday evening by Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, during a special Islamic prayer (Khitma) held in memory of the late mzee Ameir.

The ceremony, held at Ihtismaan Mosque in Kizimkazi, South Unguja, was attended by senior leaders led by Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi. Presidents Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi and Azali Assoumani of Comoros also attended the ceremony.

Other dignitaries included Zanzibar Second Vice-President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, CCM Mainland Vice-Chairman Stephen Wasira, CCM Deputy Secretary-General for Zanzibar Abdi Mahmoud Abdi, ministers and deputy ministers from the Union and Zanzibar governments, as well as religious and government leaders.

“President Dr Samia and her family are very grateful for the support you have given them since the loss of their beloved one,” Ambassador Kombo said. Following the prayer, leaders and conveyed their condolences to President Samia and prayed for the soul of the late Hafidh Ameir.

Zanzibar Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals Nadir Abdullatif said death was inevitable, describing the late Hafidh Ameir as an elder who belonged to the entire community.

“Death is something that comes to all of us. We have come here to pray for our elder following his passing,” he said. He noted that Muslims, people of different faiths and leaders from various backgrounds had gathered to pray for the deceased and ask God to grant him eternal peace.

“We extend our condolences to everyone, but also to our elder who has gone before us, Mzee Hafidh Ameir. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus and ease his journey to the hereafter,” Nadir said.

He also prayed for President Dr Samia and her family to be granted patience and strength during the difficult period.

Kusini Unguja District Commissioner Othman Ali Maulid called on residents of the district, Zanzibar, Tanzania and Tanzanians living abroad to continue praying for and comforting President Samia following the loss of her husband.

He described the late Hafidh Ameir as a peopleoriented man who maintained close relations with the community. Mr Maulid said President Samia had consistently been among the first leaders to attend funerals and comfort bereaved families, adding that it was now time for Tanzanians to stand with her.

“Our greatest responsibility is to pray for our elders. We should remember that he was among those who lived closely with the people,” he said.

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He said President Dr Samia had attended numerous community events and funerals to offer comfort to others, noting that the loss had now touched her own family.

“This is a great loss that has touched many people. We have people who have travelled from outside Tanzania, and several African presidents and leaders from different parts of the world have come.

This shows that our mother, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is a woman of the people,” he said. Mr Maulid also urged residents to maintain peace and stability in their communities and follow the example set by previous generations and leaders.

“The most important thing is to follow the footsteps of our elders, but, above all, to maintain the peace we have in our communities.

Let us remember that praying for our elders is a noble act and our responsibility,” he said. Saleh Issa Abdalla, a resident of Kizimkazi Dimbani, said death comes to every human being at an appointed time and urged President Samia to remain strong during the difficult period.

“Every soul shall taste death. The only difference is the time; each person has their own appointed time. He has gone ahead of us, and we are following behind him,” Mr Abdalla said.

He prayed for Allah to grant the deceased a good ending and make his eternal home among the gardens of Paradise, while also praying for those left behind to be granted a good ending.

Another Kizimkazi resident, Muhsin Juma, conveyed his condolences to President Dr Samia and prayed for her, her family and all those affected by