Zanzibar. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has issued a statement condemning the ongoing acts of harassment during the holy month of Ramadhan.
A statement issued today, Saturday, March 30, 2024, by the government spokesperson, Charles Hillary, states that religious tolerance is the foundation of cohesion and that the government will not tolerate anyone who appears to be signaling a breach of peace on religious grounds.
The statement follows several incidents of people being attacked for allegedly eating and drinking in public during the holy month of Ramadhan.
As a result of these incidents, the police have already arrested 12 people who were allegedly found drinking and eating in public at Mnazi Mmoja Square for violating the rules.
In addition to the arrests, the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT) has fined Organisateur Francophone Tours and Travel, a tour company, US$500 (Tsh1.2 million) for allegedly allowing its guests to eat in public in violation of the guidelines.
In his statement, Mr Hillary, who is also the Director of Presidential Communications, urged citizens to do good and maintain peace, unity, and cohesion on the island.
“The government condemns the acts of harassment that continue to take place in various parts of Zanzibar. This is contrary to the principles of religious tolerance,” he said.
Mr Hillary said that Zanzibar is a country with a long history of religious tolerance, where Islam and Christianity entered early and became important parts of a culture that has lasted for centuries.
“This teaches us about the civility of Zanzibaris to be religiously tolerant and that is the foundation of cohesion among us,” he said.
He said the government urges citizens to refrain in any way from interfering with the individual’s freedom to worship.
According to Mr Hillary, Zanzibar is governed by a constitution, and the government has the authority to protect the country’s constitution and its people, so any action that threatens unity, peace, and cohesion would not be tolerated.
“The government will continue to protect and maintain peace and love as the teachings of our religions require us to do. Our religious differences should not be a source of disturbing our peace, unity, and cohesion,” he said.
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
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On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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