Local govt cautions religious leaders against political bias.

  Urges emphasis on peace.

 Local government authorities in Misungwi District have cautioned religious leaders against political bias and this been an election year, urged the clerics to place special emphasis on peace.

 

Addressing a district elders and religious leaders introductory meeting over the weekend, the new Misungwi District Commissioner, Mwajuma Nyiruka, said maintaining peace in the district is her top most agenda.

 

To achieve the task, she pointed out that religious leaders have a central role to play because according to her, religious leaders have more sway over their congregations than does the government.

 

“Your followers listen to you more than they listen to government leaders,” she told them, “…so utilise that opportunity responsibly by preaching peace to them.” 

 

“Don’t run away from that responsibility and assume the role of politicians…” District Commissioner Nyiruka cautioned the clerics and advised them to “…leave politics to politicians.”

 

She also reminded the religious leaders of the ongoing killings of People with Albinism (PWA) that are fueled with superstitious beliefs, saying by preaching the Word of God and admonishing against evil then peace will prevail.

 

On his part, Pastor Benedict Temba called on Tanzanians to nurture the peace and tranquility the country has been enjoying since independence. 

 

“Without peace, development activities would come to a standstill,” the pastor warned during his address to the meeting.  

Seconding the DC, Pastor James Mpinga said churches and mosques should not be turned into political platforms but only be used as places of worship.

 

With the recent growing threats of terrorism in the country and elsewhere in the country, Rev Father Amos Nyanda of the Misungwi Roman Catholic Church, urged the society to be wary of the threat.