‘Government values faith leaders’ role in development ’

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has said the government will continue working closely with religious institutions to safeguard peace and national unity, describing faith leaders as indispensable partners in advancing Tanzania’s development.

Speaking yesterday during the consecration and installation of the 11th Bishop of the Anglican Church’s Diocese of Zanzibar, Bishop Lameck Paul Ndomba, at Christ Church Cathedral in Mkunazini, Stone Town, Dr Mwinyi said cooperation between the government and religious institutions remains essential to preserving the country’s stability and supporting national development.

“The government will continue to listen to and cooperate with religious leaders on matters of public interest,” Dr Mwinyi said.

He said religious institutions have become important partners beyond their spiritual role, contributing to education, healthcare, child upbringing, moral development and community initiatives aimed at improving people’s welfare.

“The contribution of religious institutions does not end with spiritual services alone, but also touches people’s lives and the development of society,” he said.

Dr Mwinyi said maintaining close cooperation with religious leaders would help reinforce the values of respect, tolerance and coexistence that have long supported Tanzania’s peace and social cohesion.

“Differences in faith should not become a source of division, but should instead become a foundation for respecting one another, practising tolerance and working together,” he said.

The President also commended the Anglican Church for continuing to promote Kiswahili in its meetings and activities, saying such efforts complement Tanzania’s wider campaign to strengthen the language nationally and internationally.

He said Kiswahili has continued to gain prominence as one of the official languages of the East African Community and the African Union, while also serving as an official working language of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

According to Dr Mwinyi, continued promotion of Kiswahili by religious institutions reinforces its role as a unifying language while expanding its influence beyond Tanzania’s borders.

The President also pledged continued government cooperation with the Anglican Church in preserving and promoting historical sites, saying they remain important national assets that safeguard Tanzania’s heritage while supporting education and cultural tourism.

He said historical landmarks in Zanzibar help citizens and visitors understand the country’s past and contribute to preserving that legacy for future generations.

Turning to weather preparedness, Dr Mwinyi urged Tanzanians to follow advisories issued by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) on the expected Vuli rains, which are forecast to be influenced by El Niño conditions.

He also called on religious leaders to work alongside the government in educating communities about precautionary measures to reduce the impact of possible heavy rainfall.

“Let us pray that these rains become rains of blessings and spare our nation from the disasters that may arise,” he said.

Congratulating Bishop Ndomba on becoming the Diocese’s 11th Bishop, Dr Mwinyi described the appointment as a great responsibility and wished him wisdom, sound judgement and strength to lead the Church with integrity.

He also commended the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, Dr Mahimbo Mndolwa, for his efforts to strengthen understanding and restore harmony within the Church, saying forgiveness, tolerance, love and unity remain important principles of Christian teachings.

In his remarks, Bishop Ndomba thanked Dr Mwinyi for maintaining close cooperation with religious institutions and commended the government’s efforts to improve people’s lives through development projects across the country.

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“We appreciate the cooperation that the government continues to extend to religious institutions and the efforts being made to improve the lives of Tanzanians through development projects,” Bishop Ndomba said.

The ceremony, attended by church leaders, government officials and worshippers, marked the beginning of Bishop Ndomba’s leadership of the Diocese of Zanzibar, as the government renewed its commitment to working with faith institutions on matters affecting communities across the country

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