Africa-Press – Tanzania. AS the country approaches the October 29 general election, the nation faces both opportunity and risk.
Elections are a cornerstone of democracy, providing citizens with the chance to choose leaders who can champion people centred development.
Yet, they can also become flash points for chaos and division if exploited by opportunistic politicians.
The delicate balance between democratic expression and national stability is being tested, making the call for unity more urgent than ever.
The contest of ideas, while healthy for democracy, carries the danger of being twisted into a contest of identities.
History across the continent has shown how swiftly democratic processes can descend into violence when leaders or their supporters choose to divide along lines of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
Tanzania, long celebrated as an island of peace in the region, is not immune to such risks. It is against this backdrop that religious leaders have stepped to the forefront.
With their moral authority and wide following, clerics from different faiths have chosen to use their pulpits to remind Tanzanians of their shared identity and collective destiny.
Their voices carry a weight that transcends politics, urging citizens to put peace above partisanship, unity above division and tolerance above mistrust.
Their message is simple but powerful: elections come and go, but the nation must remain intact.
The decision by clerics to intervene in the electoral atmosphere is not incidental. It reflects a recognition that peace is not automatic; it is cultivated.
In a country where religion plays a central role in everyday life, clerics are uniquely positioned to bridge divides, mediate tensions, and prevent violence before it erupts.
They are framing their interventions not only as spiritual guidance but also as civic duty, where faith communities serve as guardians of national stability.
Their message is anchored in the understanding that democracy thrives only in a peaceful environment. Without tolerance and tranquillity, elections lose their meaning, and the promise of development is derailed.
Religious leaders are therefore reminding citizens that their votes carry not just political weight but moral responsibility.
By rejecting corruption, violence, and division, Tanzanians can safeguard their democracy and their future. Recently, Chairman of Sheikhs and Bishops, Dr Sheikh Alhaji Mussa Salim, underlined the need to protect harmony without discrimination based on religion, culture, race, or political ideology.
“Our mission is to uphold peace and tranquillity among Tanzanians regardless of their faith or background. We also seek to mediate and bring lasting solutions to issues that create division in our country,” he said.
His remarks underscored the broader vision of a national community built not on differences but on shared values. Earlier this year, Bishop Dr Fredrick Shoo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Northern Diocese issued a resounding call for dignity and justice.
His appeal extended beyond his congregation to the wider public, reminding Tanzanians that democracy is strengthened when citizens approach the ballot with respect and restraint.
He urged every eligible voter to participate peacefully, framing the act of voting as both a right and a responsibility.
Bishop Jacob Paulo Ole Mameo of the ELCT Morogoro Diocese went further by connecting the issue of corruption directly to faith.
He described corruption as a sin before God and a crime against society, urging believers to stand against it in all its forms.
His call was echoed by Sheikh Twaha Kilango of Morogoro, who encouraged mosques to consistently preach against bribery. In his sermons, he reminded worshippers that “a bribe received today is a burden for tomorrow. We must not sell our votes; instead, we must protect our future.”
The determination of Muslim leaders to anchor the nation in peace was demonstrated prominently during the Union of Tanzanian Imams’ conference at Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam on August 24.
With President Samia Suluhu Hassan as the guest of honour, clerics launched the campaign Our Peace, Our Fu- ture.
Dar es Salaam Regional Sheikh Walid Alhad Omar noted the scale of participa- tion, citing prayers for peace in more than 10,000 mosques across the city.
“Fortunately, these people here are not only from Dar es Salaam but from 26 regions. Regional sheikhs are all present, and if given the chance, we would have presented the statistics so you could see just how far peace is being prayed for in this country,” he told the President.
The campaign reflects a deliberate strategy to carry the message of peace beyond religious institutions.
Clerics sought to create a movement that stretches from mosques and churches to marketplaces, schools, and homes, ensuring that peace becomes embedded in national consciousness.
Their emphasis is that unity is not only a religious duty but also a civic responsibility, one that every Tanzanian must embrace regardless of back- ground.
This outreach has been particularly targeted towards youth, who represent both the country’s greatest resource and its greatest vulnerability.
With nearly 60 per cent of Tanzanians under the age of 25, their role in shaping the electoral environment cannot be overstated.
Bishop Ludovick Joseph Minde of the Catholic Diocese of Moshi addressed young motorcycle and tricycle opera- tors in Moshi, urging them to be champions of peace.
“The youth are the strength of the nation. To serve the nation well, your priority should be to safeguard the peace that allows you to carry out your daily activities in a safe and productive environment,” he said.
At Christ the King Cathedral, Father Dr Aidan Msafiri struck a similar tone, imploring youth to value their own lives and those of others.
He warned against reckless behaviour during campaigns, stressing that peace is the foundation on which their future rests. Both clerics highlighted that protecting tranquillity is not merely the role of leaders but also a responsibility of ordinary citizens, particularly the young.
The effort by Tanzanian religious leaders taps into a longstanding global tradition of faith in peace building.
Throughout history, clerics have mediated conflicts, reconciled communities, and prevented violence. Philosophers and reformers such as Mahatma Gandhi argued that religion should transcend ritual and sectarian identity, fostering unity instead of division.
Gandhi’s famous declaration “I am a Hindu, a Muslim, a Christian, a Jew, and so are all of you” speaks to a universal spiritual unity that binds humanity.
Tanzanian clerics are now echoing this philosophy, adapting it to the local context as the nation approaches the polls. The stakes could not be higher.
Tanzania has long been a beacon of peace and stability in a region where elections frequently spark unrest. Yet, peace cannot be taken for granted.
The experiences of neighbouring countries show how quickly electoral disputes can spiral into violence, eroding development and fractur- ing societies.
For Tanzania, the collective call of clerics is both a preventative measure and a statement of national aspiration. While leaders and clerics set the tone, the responsibility ultimately rests with the people.
The message from Tanzania’s faith leaders is unmistakable: resist corruption, reject division, and embrace unity.
Elections should not be treated as existential battles but as moments of renewal in the journey of building a co- hesive and democratic nation.
By maintaining peace, citizens protect not only their present but also the promise of future generations. Beyond the October polls, the vision articulated by religious leaders carries endur- ing relevance.
It transcends religion, politics, and tribe, pointing instead to a collective Tanzanian identity that is strong, resilient, and cohesive.
The very fact that leaders from diverse denominations have united in their messaging is symbolic it demonstrates that differences in belief need not translate into division.
If this call is embraced, Tanzania could not only safeguard its elections but also strengthen its democratic culture.
It would set an example for the rest of Africa, proving that electoral competition can coexist with stability.
The ultimate victory may not be measured solely in who assumes office, but in whether the country emerges from the elections with its most valuable asset intact: peace.
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