Clerics, govt told to talk peace in wake of Arusha bombing

Dar es Salaam. With the country still in shock over what is now becoming a trend-attack on churches and clerics, it is about time the nation sought healing, observers have argued.

They say despite the truth that it was difficult to directly associate the recent Arusha church bombing with religious intolerance; it was undeniably true that there were fissures that contribute to the trend.

On one hand, politicians have been blamed for being a source of hatred through their uncontrolled speeches while on the other side, the government is urged to put in place long and short-term measures to curb religious tensions between Christians and Muslims which might culminate in breach of the peace.

The analysts want the government to firmly deal with behaviours and actions of some individuals and groups, which may sow seeds that contribute to hatred among Tanzanians.

Mr Zitto Kabwe (Kigoma North-Chadema) said there were cracks in the society because, leaders who were entrusted by people to safeguard the country and ensure national unity flourishes, knowingly or unknowingly, have been on the lead in issuing irresponsible statements and acting in a manner that helps sow divisions among the people.

“We in the leadership must admit that the prevailing situation in the country is a result of our irresponsible acts,” he said.

Speaking to The Citizen on Sunday some clerics condemned the Catholic Church bombing in Olasiti in Arusha, noting that the act was inhuman.

Bishop of the African Inland Church Tanzania (AICT) Coast Diocese, Charles Salala, advised the government to immediately find ways to deal with individuals or groups that have been uttering hate speeches, instigating hatred between the two religious denominations.

He suggested that societies should invest in education as a long-term plan to eliminate ignorance and unemployment. “When people become jobless it is easy for them to engage in crimes,” he noted.

The Dar es Salaam regional Sheikh, Alhad Mussa Salum, said the clergies and the government should establish a tendency of discussing religious issues and suggests the way to address problems before they turn worse.

“The government shouldn’t wait for the occurrence of chaos and then call us to discuss how to address the situation,” said Sheikh Salum.

…we have to be discussing them throughout before they occur.”

Rev Erika Ludela of Moravian Church in Tanzania East and Zanzibar Mission Diocese, said clerics have the responsibility to preach love and peace to their followers in order to avoid hatred which was growing and thought to be the source of attacks on churches and religious leaders.

For his part, Rev Christopher Mtikila, said the government needs to apologise for it was keeping a cold feet in fighting religion-related hate speeches in the country.

According to him, the question of slaughtering animals should clearly be defined wisely for both believers in order to for them to have a freedom of worship.

Mourners pay last respects to bodies of three victims of a bomb blast in Arusha last week before burial at the premises of St Joseph’s parish yesterday. Right is the picture of bomb blast victim Patricia Assey.