VP touts unity
ARUSHA : VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has called on religious leaders to reflect on the growing trend of conflicts and misunderstandings among congregants and consider ways to embrace peace and build a united nation.
Speaking during the climax of the 4th All Africa Religious Liberty Congress in Arusha yesterday, Dr Mpango said religious leaders are currently witnessed kicking out one another from places of worship for various reasons, including the misuse of church funds and property.
He added that other religious leaders have been fighting for power, condoning nepotism in hiring, corruption and a lack of fairness in leadership elections within their organisations.
“Religious leaders are most respected here in the country and other countries across Africa, therefore, you must strive to contain power greed and avoid power struggle, let’s go back to the basics of our call,” he said.
Dr Mpango asked the religious leaders to go back to the basics and calmly warn each other through proper platforms such as in churches and mosques instead of taking matters to social media.
The Vice-President asked religious leaders to reflect on the situation where some religious leaders or denominations align themselves with a particular political party, leading to their personal political views being interpreted as the views of the religion or denomination they lead.
He said the situation poses significant challenges to the relationship and cooperation between the government, which is secular and some religious leaders with clear political affiliations.
The Vice-President also urged religious leaders to preach peace, safety and maintain environment. He said it is easy to maintain religious freedom when the country is in peaceful condition.
“I urge you to emphasise the importance of living in safety and peace as a means of maintaining religious freedom, as these conditions and their resources, such as water, are essential for worshiping God and enabling humans, animals, plants, birds and insects to coexist peacefully and interdependently,” said Dr Mpango.
He also called on religious leaders and all participants of the conference to actively promote good morals within the community, starting from parents and guardians to youths and children.
He stressed the importance of ensuring the presence of religious teachers in schools to nurture and pass on good values to current and future generations, and to firmly condemn wrongdoing.
He said: “Tanzania is among the countries with peace and stability in Africa rooted in the principles established by the nation’s founders, which emphasise unity, solidarity, respect and the removal of religious, political, racial, or ethnic differences.”
Dr Mpango said that religious freedom in the country is recognised and protected by the country’s constitution.
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According to the Vice-President, the government has been collaborating closely with leaders of all religions in the country, particularly in the sectors of health and education and consults with them to address various emerging challenges and ensure that religious activities are conducted peacefully and steadily.
On his part, Chairman of the Adventist Church, Union of Northern Tanzania, Rev Mark Malekana said the conference focused on promoting peace, human dignity, human rights and freedom among Africans.
He emphasised that despite the existing differences in ideologies, beliefs, cultures and races it is important to recognise the fundamental thing that unites us all, we are all human beings.
He noted that the conference was committed to fostering a loving and respectful Africa.
The conference that began on September 17, 2024 brought together all countries on the African continent.
It was attended by lawyers, judges, diplomats, various senior leaders, scholars from various African institutions, representatives from the judiciary, representatives from the African Union and leaders from different religious communities.
