Ministers, faithful on New Year’s night

Christian faithful participate in Wednesday’s midnight prayers to welcome the New Year in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | FIDELIS FELIX 

By The Citizen Team

In Summary

• The two ministers were joined at the prayers by scores of diplomats and Mbeya Region Special Seats MP Ms Mary Mwanjelwa (CCM), among other guests at the colourful vigil dominated by songs and dance from gospel musicians.

Dar es Salaam. Cabinet ministers Samuel Sitta (East African Cooperation) and Harrison Mwakyembe (Transport) on Tuesday night joined other faithful for night prayers at the National stadium to usher in the New Year.

The two ministers were joined at the prayers by scores of diplomats and Mbeya Region Special Seats MP Ms Mary Mwanjelwa (CCM), among other guests at the colourful vigil dominated by songs and dance from gospel musicians.

The prayers are usually held every night of the last day of the ending year to pray for the country at the beginning of the New Year and are organised jointly by members of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT).

Thousands of members of different denominations attended and cheered wildly at the stroke of the midnight hour while some openly cried as they  prayed for God’s blessing for the New Year.

Similar prayerful scenes were replicated in many churches across the city and around the country on Tuesday night. The churches were equally full yesterday on the first day of the New Year as families gave their thanksgiving.

At the national stadium, Mr Sitta who was representing President Jakaya Kikwete used the opportunity to counsel, especially the youth on the General Election in 2015. The senior cabinet minister and long-time politician cautioned voters over the choice of national political leaders based on one’s ability to dish out what he termed “dirty money.”

 

“You will be making a fatal mistake in the General Election if you vote in people of questionable integrity and whose only interest is to get power for selfish ends and not to serve the needs of the people,” said Mr Sitta. He counseled that there were many capable and patriotic leaders for voters to choose from if they wanted the country to prosper.

He appealed for a sober debate of the draft constitution so that the country could go into elections with a new and promising document.

Archbishop of the Dar es Salaam diocese of the Catholic Church, Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, yesterday reminded believers to live and fulfill their duties with respect, even if they had no true desires to pursue them.

Cardinal Pengo meanwhile reminded mothers and those dedicated to religion to live the example of the Virgin Mary (mother of Jesus).

Addressing worshipers at Mbagala Spiritual Centre during the New Year mass which saw some novice nuns make their first vows and others their second, Cardinal Pengo said it was becoming difficult in normal life for many people to obey the teachings of the scriptures.

“Given today’s situation of the world, it is only few people that can obey and perform what they are instructed,” he said.