Mtambwe Constituency Representative Dr Muhammed Ali Suleiman has called for stronger cooperation between parents, madrasa teachers and community leaders to promote good morals among young people and help reduce theft and other crimes.
Dr Muhammed, who is also Zanzibar’s Minister for Communication, Information Technology and Innovation, made the call on October 27, 2026, during a meeting with residents of Matuuni village in North Pemba.
He said raising responsible young people requires collective action, with parents and teachers working together to instil discipline, respect for others and a sense of responsibility from an early age.
Dr Muhammed expressed concern over reports of stolen crops and livestock, saying such incidents undermine residents’ livelihoods and highlight the importance of strengthening moral education within families and religious institutions.
He urged madrasa teachers to continue guiding young people through religious teachings that promote honesty, respect, peaceful coexistence and responsible behaviour.
He also called on parents to spend more time with their children, understand the challenges they face and provide consistent guidance to help them make responsible decisions.
“Parents must work together in raising our children. When one child is corrected for wrongdoing, other parents should also take responsibility for guiding their own children towards the right path,” he said.
Dr Muhammed stressed that protecting communities from crime should not be left to one group alone, noting that cooperation among families, teachers and community leaders is essential to building safer neighbourhoods.
During the visit, Dr Muhammed contributed TZS 2 million towards purchasing roofing sheets for Madrasatul Hidaya Minna Rahmaani.
He also supported efforts to provide a water-pumping machine for the village mosque.
He pledged to continue following up on education challenges to ensure young people have opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to build better futures.
The representative also promised to follow up on residents’ concerns, including compensation for people whose houses were demolished to make way for road construction.
He said his ministerial responsibilities would not prevent him from fulfilling his duties as the representative of Mtambwe, adding that the visit was part of his commitment to addressing issues affecting residents.
Piki Sheha Asha Khamis Nassor welcomed the visit, saying local leaders were ready to cooperate with Dr Muhammed in addressing community needs.
However, she urged him to follow up on the rehabilitation of football grounds in the constituency to give young people better opportunities to participate in sports and other constructive activities.
She said accessible sports facilities could help young people use their free time productively while supporting wider efforts to prevent theft and other criminal activities.
Resident Khalifa Issa Omar also raised concerns about insecurity, reporting incidents of serious violence in which some people had reportedly been attacked with machetes or killed by unidentified assailants.
The concerns highlighted the need for continued cooperation between residents, community leaders and relevant authorities to strengthen public safety and address the causes of crime.
Dr Muhammed’s visit is part of his ongoing engagement with residents across Mtambwe Constituency to listen to their concerns, follow up on development projects and seek solutions to challenges affecting their daily lives.
The discussions placed emphasis on the importance of combining moral education, parental responsibility, youth development opportunities and responsive public services to help build safer and more supportive communities.