THE compelling need for Tanzanians to show love to one another, avoid bigotry, ethnic rivalry and pray for the country to realise her potentials reverberated in the New Year 2020 prayers and messages by religious and political leaders.
Extreme jovial mood, hopes and expectations were highly manifest amongst the people as they ushered in the year countrywide, while President John Magufuli lay stress on peace, love and prosperity.
At various places during New Year’s Eve, including churches, playing grounds and entertainment joints, the people demonstrated their happiness, thanked the Almighty God and prayed for their nation.
In his New Year message to Tanzanians, President Magufuli called for sustained spirit of maintaining peace and love while wishing that 2020 be the year of prosperity for the nation.
The Head of State gave the greetings on Tuesday when he met with officials and wardens of Rubondo Island National Park during a visit there.
“I pray that God will continue to keep me alive so that in 2020 I can continue sacking those who misuse public funds that would have been spent on development projects,” said President Magufuli.
Simultaneously, clerics and public leaders showered President Magufuli with New Year best wishes and congratulations.They basically congratulated him on his successful work of leading the country and expressed hopes for further successes in 2020.
“I thank you very much for the heavy responsibility you have, by the grace of God we are among those who have seen the last day of 2019. I congratulate you on your efforts to bring prosperity to the nation. I pray for and wish you a happy and prosperous New Year 2020. May the Lord’s face go with you wherever you are,”said the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCT), Dr Frederick Shoo.
New Year’s Eve in Dar es Salaam was eventful, both in religious buildings and playing grounds. National prayers were held at Uhuru Stadium where Industry and Trade Minister Innocent B ashungwa graced the event.
Mr B ashungwa appealed to Tanzanians to accord cooperation to the government by working hard.“Peace is a foundation for development. We (the government) thank religious leaders for continuing to pray for the country’s peace. As we begin 2020 lets work hard,” he said.
Chairman of the organising committee of the New Year Eve prayers at the Stadium, Bishop of the Tanzania Fellowship of Churches, Mr Godfrey Malasi, concurred that no development was possible without peace.
“God has given us peace. There should be no one trying to destroy it,” he stated.Azania Front Lutheran Church Pastor Charles Mzinga asked the worshippers to start the New Year with a fresh beginning full of happiness and a better life.
“You have to think of your life in 2019 and start a new page in 2020. In order to embark on a new beginning you need to take action,” he advised.In Moshi, reports had it that faithfuls and other citizens alike, including those in leadership levels, have been advised to avoid hatred so that the peace within the Church, the Nation and the World could prevail.
The advice was given by the Chief Priest of the Christ the King Parish, Catholic Diocese of Moshi, in Kilimanjaro Region, Fr Evans Mavumilio, as he delivered his 2020 New Year greetings during the mass to mark the New Year, which was held at the Christ the King Cathedral in Moshi.
Fr Mavumilio further said that apart from disrupting peace in the community, hatred breeds social pressure which he said could be caused by misunderstandings among members of the community as a result of the tensions between those who feel oppressed and those who are accused of oppressing others.
