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Kikwete cautions against misuse of freedom of worship
2006-06-28 09:30:30
By Lydia Shekighenda
President Jakaya Kikwete has cautioned against misuse of the freedom of worship as enshrined in the Constitution and warned that anyone who breaches the law would not be spared.
Addressing Roman Catholic prelates during the 59th Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the President was categorical that religious slandering threatened the peace and unity of the nation.
The President told the clergymen that the government would not take sides in acts of blasphemy. Tanzania is a secular state, the President noted, and observed that all religions or denominations were equal before the law.
’’In dealing with non-complying people, no one, irrespective of their religious affiliation, will be spared.
There is no state religion in Tanzania but there are worshippers of various religions and denominations,’’Kikwete said.
The President was responding to a request by the clerics who sought government intervention in what they claimed was infringement of the freedom of worship in the country.
The President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Archbishop Severini NiweMugizi had earlier cautioned that in the recent past, the country had witnessed rampant slanderous religious public addresses that could easily spark religious tension and breach peace.
’’We (clerics) call upon the government to keep an open eye on the risky criticism, levelled by some religious leaders.
We too urge the government to review the system used in recruiting civil servants in the public security organs,’’ said the TEC president.
The Arch-bishop said the landslide victory recorded by CCM to usher into power the government of President Kikwete should not be misinterpreted to mean a victory by a certain section of the society.
The prelate was emphatic that this was victory for the nation, which gave hope to all the leaders.
’’In an interval of about six months in office you (President Kikwete), you have proved your leadership ability to lead the nation in facing various challenges, ranging from sustainable peace and tranquillity, public security, education, good governance and war against poverty,’’ said NiweMugizi.
With reference to the commitment to national peace and security, the clerics urged the government to device a concrete strategy that would guide recruitment of law enforcers.
They underscored the need to scrutinise personal and criminal records of applicants wishing to serve the nation in the capacity of police officers.
For those already in the service, the clergyman noted, there is need for them to undergo regular refresher courses to sharpen the ability to deliver.
Above all, he petitioned for the improvement of the police pay package ,as a strategy to improve their morale and performance.
Meanwhile,President Jakaya Kikwete announced that the beneficiaries of the 500m/- kitty to each region as part of the party’s strategy to eradicate poverty in the country would be held accountable and have to repay the soft loan.
The president was addressing a mammoth crowd of CCM supporters at Lumumba CCM Office grounds in Dar es Salaam, at a function specifically meant to welcome the new CCM national office bearers after their election to take the party reins in Dodoma at the weekend.
A jubilant Kikwete had a word of wisdom for the beneficiaries as he petitioned the-would-be beneficiaries of the fund to use the soft loans wisely instead of engaging in niceties.
But without mincing words, President Kikwete put on notice those within the government who misappropriate public funds saying their days were numbered as the government would not tolerate the vice.
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