20110423
reuters

Dar es Salaam — Religious and political leaders yesterday called on Tanzanians to maintain peace and harmony in the course of celebrating Easter, while ensuring that matters of national importance, including constitutional reform are discussed soberly.

The calls come as Tanzanian Christians joined other worshipers across the world to mark Good Friday and readied themselves to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ tomorrow, an event they believe took place after he was crucified and died on the cross, some 2,000 years ago. In their Easter messages to Tanzanians, leaders who spoke to

The Citizen on Saturday said the country was going through a period in which serious national issues were at stake and hence the need for mutual understanding was crucial if the country was to avoid turmoil that beleagueres other parts of the world.

They cited the rewriting of the Constitution and queries that have for years plagued the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar as some of key issues that Tanzanians should handle with care.

The president of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Archbishop Yuda-Thadei Rwai'chi, said it was important for everyone to cherish the "gift of peace" that the country is enjoying.

"The conflicts we see in other parts of Africa are an indication that some people do not cherish peace and harmony ... Tanzanians should do away with every type of conduct that might disrupt our peace," he stressed when reached by phone yesterday.

Archbishop Rwai'chi, who also heads the Mwanza archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church, said it was important for Tanzania to maintain its reputation as "an island of peace."

CCM Ideology and Publicity Secretary Nape Nnauye asked Christians to distance their faith from politics, more so when it comes to discussing the envisaged new constitution.

That would be the best way for Tanzania to come up with a non-partisan constitution that would address the interest of all citizens.

"This festival means Passover; CCM has decided to rejuvenate itself, so should the whole country, until we get a new constitution," he said.

With the current economic situation still shaky, what with the high food and fuel prices, the Civic United Front (CUF) deputy secretary general (Mainland), Mr Julius Mtatiro, said Tanzanians should ask themselves why the economy is in such a mess and look into how they can lift it up.

He said as wananchi are celebrating resurrection of Jesus, the cost of most commodities and services are beyond the reach of a majority of the population, noting that this situation was bad for the country.

"CUF wishes all Tanzanians a happy Easter, but I urge the believers to use the festive period to analyse the economic situation we are in and get prepared for drastic changes," said Mr Mtatiro. According to Mr Mtatiro, the recentchanges in the ruling CCM won't be of much use in terms of alleviating the hardships the people are going through.

"The Bible says Jesus had a special supper with his 12 disciples, but today, Tanzanians won't be able to have any good meal with their families because of the poor state of the economy," said Mr Mtatiro.

The Democratic Party (DP) chairman, the Reverend Christopher Mtikila, said the Easter period should remind Tanzanians of the folly of hypocrisy, extravagance and crime.

According to the Rev Mtikila, many Tanzanians consider religious holidays as a period of sinning, which is against the teaching of Jesus Christ.

"Personally I don't believe in Easter celebrations for several reasons, but since the occasion brings millions of people together, my message to them is: stop hypocrisy and follow Jesus' teaching," the Rev Mtikila added.

The chairman of the Pentecostal Churches of Tanzania (PCT), Bishop David Mwasota, said Tanzanians must pray for peace and security in this Easter season.

He said the country was going through trying times as people push for constitutional changes amid all manner of political bickering, so wananchi need to use the Easter celebrations to give a thought over what God wants them to do.

The PCT message to Tanzanians, regardless their religious belief, he said, was that everybody prays for peace, development and a better future for all.

He said: "The country is faced with numerous problems, but nothing is beyond God's power, so we must use occasion of Easter to pray and ask for God's guidance in everything we do."

For his part, while giving a sermon during Mass on Thursday, the Dar es Salaam Catholic Church Bishop, the Rev Eusebius Nzigirwa, asked leaders to shun corruption and ensure fairness if Tanzania is to stand out as a civilised community.

"Everybody should ask themselves why they are demanding or giving a bribe: why you demand payment before allowing someone to access what is a right to them?" he posed.