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Educate your children, Mkapa tells Muslims
2006-04-12 07:50:20
By Guardian Reporter
Retired president Benjamin Mkapa, has advised Muslims to continue supporting their children in education to help them cope with the ongoing technological advancement.
Mkapa said education caters as a gateway to perfect socio-economic success and is a prerequisite to genuine achievements that would allow people to be part of the changing world and not mere spectators.
Addressing a Maulid baraza held yesterday in Masasi, Mtwara Region, to commemorate the birth of Prophet Mohammed, Mkapa said other nations would not slow down technologically to wait for trailing nations, which gave little consideration to educating their people.
’’All human beings, irrespective of their origins, have brains to think but the thinking ability is greatly enhanced when blended with education, a precondition for more effective utilization of resources,’’ Mkapa said.
He said most people currently leading successful and prosperous life had the opportunity to go to school, with the support of their parents, relatives or guardians.
On loyalty and patriotism as required of law-abiding citizens, Mkapa called on the faithful to respect the government, saying God recognises those in power.
’’It will be nothing but hypocrisy if our people would pretend to abide by God’s teachings, while disrespecting democratically elected government leaders,’’ he said.
The former president also spoke about peace and stability, describing them as the true pillars of development. He wished success to the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) in helping worshippers abide by God’s teachings.
Earlier on, Deputy Chief Mufti of Tanzania Sheikh Abubakar Zuberi Ali reminded Muslims of their obligation to sustain a united front against common enemies of national development namely corruption and HIV/Aids.
’’It is not proper for Muslims to court misunderstandings among themselves as that would undermine their efforts to attain high levels of development,’ said Sheikh Zuberi.
Supporting Mkapa’s call, Sheikh Zuberi said confusion or disintegration of the society starts with disrespect to leaders, resulting in lawlessness, adding that worshippers should not give room to disunity.
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