Union invoked as Tanzanians pay tribute to Mzee Karume

A BIG gathering, led by President Ali Mohamed Shein and other Zanzibar and Union leaders, converged here for special prayers in remembrance of the Isles First President, Sheikh Abeid Karume, who was assassinated in 1972.

The prayers, which attracted people from different religions and political parties, except leaders from the main opposition, the Civic United Front (CUF) and its UKAWA allies, were held at the CCM Zanzibar Sub-Head Office at Kisiwandui here, the same place where he was shot dead on April 7, 1973 and later buried.

The graveside prayers were said by different religious leaders, including Sheikh Hamid Masoud Jongo from Tanzania Mainland, who stressed Tanzanians’ obligation to pray for their departed leaders, including Sheikh Karume and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.“Let us pray for our late leaders. They must be remembered for uniting the people of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The Union should be maintained,” Sheikh Jongo urged Tanzanians.

Other leaders who attended the function included Union Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan who represented Union President John Magufuli who has travelled to Rwanda for an official visit.

Also in attendance were Zanzibar Second Vice-President, Ambassador Seif Ali Iddi, Speaker of the Zanzibar House of Representatives, Mr Zubeir Ali Maulid, Zanzibar’s First Lady, Ms Mwanamwena Shein, Mzee Karume’s widow, Mama Fatma Karume, and retired presidents Amani Abeid Karume, a son; and Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi.