{RELIGIOUS leaders prayed for the new Union president, Dr John Magufuli yesterday, asking the Almighty God to lead and guide him to fulfil his duties efficiently and with divine supervision.}
The leaders include the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, Archdiocese Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, the Chief Sheikh, Mufti Abubakar Zubeir Bin Ally and the Chairman of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT), Bishop Dr Alex Malasusa.
“May the Almighty guide our president to be strong and able to tackle vices in our society,” Mufti Zubeir said in his prayer shortly after Dr Magufuli was sworn in.
They added: “As a country we ought to forget and forgive the bad things we might have done to each other during the campaign and appreciate the fact that we have a new president.” In their prayers, the trio expressed their gratitude that the country sailed through the general election peacefully.
Cardinal Pengo prayed for Dr Magufuli and Vice-President, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan, to appoint competent subordinates to enable them to effectively accomplish their work. “We also pray for the good health of former President Jakaya Kikwete and immediate past Vice-President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal, in their retirement,” he prayed.
Bishop Malasusa urged Tanzanians to continue praying and maintain the brotherhood they have enjoyed for years. Meanwhile, former President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday officially handed over the reins of government to Dr Magufuli.
The well-attended inauguration was stylish and assumed clock-like precision. Retiring President Kikwete arrived at the Uhuru Stadium around 10.23am in an open military vehicle, before being driven around the stadium while waving to the cheering crowd in a farewell sign.
The outgoing president then headed straight to the saluting dais where he received a 21-gun salute, while the national anthem was being played by the army’s brass band.
He then inspected a military parade that had formed the Omega symbol, symbolising the end of the Fourth Phase Government before returning to the dais where he witnessed the lowering down of the presidential standard.
Mr Kikwete and his Vice-President, Dr Mohamed Gharib Bila, witnessed the swearing of Dr Magufuli and his chosen Vice-President, Ms Hassan.
In a symbolic end of presidency arrangement, Mr Kikwete got onto an open military open vehicle that drove him out of the stadium before coming in again – this time as retired president.
Some people among the crowd could be seen wiping tears as the former president was getting out of the stadium, showing how much the former president will be missed.
After coming in as a retired president, Mr Kikwete went up to the guest podium, joining other dignitaries and heads of state who had turned up for the inauguration.
Sitting beside President Magufuli, Mr Kikwete looked jovial and happy, chatting with other heads of state and invited guests.
After the ceremony was over, Mr Kikwete and his wife, Mama Salma, left shortly after President Magufuli and Vice-President Samia had left.
DAILY NEWS
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