Othman calls for moral child upbringing

ZANZIBAR: FORMER Zanzibar First VicePresident Othman Masoud Othman has urged Muslim parents to redouble efforts in raising their children on strong moral foundations, warning that rapid technological advancements pose growing challenges to family structures and social cohesion.

Mr Othman made the remarks in Nungwi, North Unguja, where he joined Muslims in commemorating the annual Maulid celebration marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He said the rapid pace of scientific and technological development in the modern world presented significant challenges in raising a generation capable of upholding religious values and principles.

He urged Islamic scholars to reflect carefully on contemporary challenges and identify the values and principles that should be emphasised and upheld by Muslims, despite differences in the interpretation and understanding of religious matters.

Mr Othman also called on parents to take greater responsibility for the upbringing of their children, saying proper guidance during childhood was essential for preserving and strengthening religious values and morals in Zanzibar.

He said the modern world was undergoing profound changes that could make children and young people less attentive to Islamic values and traditions, particularly when parents failed to give sufficient attention to their upbringing, education and moral development.

“The human heart greatly needs spiritual upbringing and guidance,” Mr Othman said, warning that without proper moral and spiritual education, society could increasingly adopt behaviours inconsistent with Islamic traditions and values.

He urged families and communities to make concerted efforts to raise children with good character and responsible values so that they could grow into productive citizens capable of contributing positively to national development.

Mr Othman also appealed to Muslims to set aside differences in religious perspectives and work together to promote good parenting and moral education, saying unity and collective responsibility were essential in building a better society.

He further encouraged parents to introduce their children to the Qur’an and help them understand its teachings.

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Mr Othman said the Qur’an contained guidance on various aspects of human life and had attracted interest and scholarly study even among non-Muslims.

He also urged Muslims to observe Islamic principles in their daily pursuit of livelihoods, particularly by ensuring that their income was earned through lawful and legitimate means as required by their faith.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hassan Jani Masoud, a representative of the Union of Quranic College Teachers in Nungwi Constituency, called on Muslims to strengthen unity in promoting and developing their religion.

He said greater unity would help Muslim communities build their capacity to address issues affecting them, including economic, social and religious challenges, while supporting community development in accordance with Islamic principles.

Sheikh Hassan urged Muslims across the country to establish and strengthen community organisations that promote unity and cooperation, saying such efforts would enhance their ability to address shared challenges and improve their social and economic wellbeing.

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