Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi on Tuesday led national leaders, family members and citizens in special prayers to commemorate the late Abeid Amani Karume, the first President of Zanzibar, marking 54 years since his assassination in 1972.
The prayers were held at the CCM headquarters in Kisiwandui, Zanzibar, bringing together senior government leaders and religious representatives from different faiths.
Among those who attended the ceremony were President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, as well as members of Karume’s family, including Fatma Karume.
After the prayers, President Mwinyi, together with national leaders and family members, visited Karume’s grave where they laid wreaths in honour of the late leader.
Other leaders present included Zanzibar’s Second Vice President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, former Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein, Zanzibar Chief Justice Khamis Ramadhan Abdallah and Tanzania Chief Justice George Masaju.
Also in attendance were the Chief of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces Jacob John Mkunda and the Grand Mufti of Zanzibar Saleh Omar Kaabi.
The commemoration marked 54 years since Karume’s death in April 1972. Karume served as Zanzibar’s first President following the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution and is widely remembered as one of the key architects of the Isles’ political and socio-economic foundations.
The prayers also marked the conclusion of the annual remembrance week dedicated to honouring former leaders of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar who have passed away.
