Zanzibar honours past leaders with prayers

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Hussein Mwinyi joined family members, government officials and members of the public in a special prayer session held in memory of the late Ali Hassan Mwinyi.

The prayer event took place yesterday, at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Mosque in Bumbwini village, continuing the tradition of honouring national founders and past leaders ahead of the Karume commemoration scheduled for tomorrow.

The guest of honour, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration, Local Government and Special Departments), Mr Idrissa Kitwana Mustafa, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Mwinyi family to citizens and the event organisers, including the Office of the Mufti and the Office of the Second VicePresident.

“The government will continue to honour the late Ali Hassan Mwinyi for the immense contributions he made to the nation during his lifetime,” said Mustafa.

He also praised President Mwinyi for sustaining the tradition of remembering and praying for national leaders who have passed away.

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During a separate prayer at the grave of retired Police Commissioner, Eddington Herbert Kissassi in Mwanakwerekwe, Kitwana reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving the legacy of past leaders and recognising their contributions to national development and security.

He urged the public to uphold the positive values left behind by these leaders, which continue to guide the country’s development and maintain peace and stability.

“We have a duty to remember our leaders and draw inspiration from their efforts in liberating the nation and promoting the development we enjoy today,” he said, stressing the importance of unity and cooperation for future generations.

A representative of the Kissassi family expressed appreciation to the government for honouring the contributions of national leaders and revolution founders.

The commemorations are part of a week-long programme to honour national leaders, founders of the Zanzibar Revolution and the first Secretary of the Afro-Shirazi Party.

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources, Irrigation and Livestock, Suleiman Masoud Makame, called on the family of the late Idris Abdul Wakil to construct a shelter over his grave to ease access during prayers.

Speaking in Makunduchi during prayers for the former fourthphase Zanzibar president, the minister said the shelter would allow prayers and other activities to be conducted more comfortably and safely.

He also thanked the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar for institutionalising the prayer tradition, calling it a meaningful way to honour leaders who contributed to peace and national development.

A family member, Yahya Idriss Abdulwakil, expressed gratitude to the government, noting that the initiative helps instill values in younger generations and encourages continued prayers for past leaders.