Iringa. The National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) has urged religious leaders and journalists to use their influence to promote peace, unity, and responsible communication as the country approaches the 2025 General Election.
Speaking during a one-day workshop held in Iringa on Thursday, the facilitator, Uzima Justine, said faith leaders have a moral responsibility to unite Tanzanians through messages of love and reconciliation rather than words that could incite division or hatred.
“Anything that does not unite people and promote peace is not truthful,” she said, emphasizing that leaders of all faiths must serve as role models for tolerance and coexistence, especially during politically charged times.
The workshop, organized by BAKWATA, brought together journalists and religious leaders from different denominations to discuss their role in maintaining peace and national cohesion through ethical communication.
Omary Ibrahim, BAKWATA’s Project Officer and coordinator of the workshop, said the initiative aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of their responsibility in protecting national stability through accurate and constructive information.
“We have brought together journalists and religious leaders — people who can either build or destroy society through their words. Our goal is to equip them with the right knowledge to educate the public responsibly and uphold the truth,” he said.
He noted that, at times, the right to collect and share information is not exercised responsibly, resulting in misinformation that can create confusion and threaten peace.
Participants at the event called for closer collaboration between religious institutions and media outlets to advance civic education, raise awareness on the value of peace, and counter messages that might divide communities.