Sunday 2 December 2012

Palestine gets an observer sit at the UN


                               Dr Nasri Abujaish, Ambassador of the State of Palestine Tanzania
                                                         

 THE Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Tanzania Dr Nasri Abu Jaish has praised Tanzanian's role in the struggle for the independence of Palestine since time immemorial.

"I would like to thank all the 138 countries that voted in favour of the State of Palestine. They are from Africa, Asia, South and Latin America and part of Europe," he said.

He added that in particular he would like to  express his sincere gratitude to Tanzania for the principled stand they took by voting in favor of the State of Palestine.By so doing they have once again demonstrated the historic solidarity between the people of Tanzania and Palestine
Dr Nasri was speaking to journalists in his office in Dar es Salaam on Friday afternoon.

According to him, Palestinians, with peace and freedom lovers all over the world,  are today celebrating the historic victory after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted overwhelmingly to upgrade State of Palestine  to non-member state.

Yesterday, November 29, 2012  the UN voted 138 in favour Palestine.  The vote is a long-sought victory for the Palestine which has at last been granted its birth certificate after 65 years of resistence against Israeli occupation, confiscation, expulsion and genocide. With this vote the State of Palestine can now live peacefully and side by side with Israel.

Unfortunately eight countries voted against the resolution and 41 abstained. This goes againt their principle of democracy and human rights. While they claim to stand for freedom of the nations they deny the same to Palestinians.

Sixty-five years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 181, which partitioned the land of historic Palestine into two states and this became the birth certificate for Israel. Yesterday the General Assembly issued a birth certificate of the reality of the State of Palestine.

It is a global victory for human rights, freedom, national self-determination, peace and justice. With this the world says “enough of occupation and oppression”

Having earned the non-member state status, Palestine will now have access to UN agencies and the International Criminal Court where it could prosecute Israel for its war crimes and crime against humanity. Political prisoners will now be treated as prisoners of war (POW) under the 4th Geneva Convension. 

With yesterday’s UNGA vote Israeli occupation is effectively defeated and the State of Palestine and the Palestinians have won. It clearly shows that the world  has sided with justice and peace and is against the occupation.

We now hope that with the enhancement of the State of Palestine  the Security Council will respond to the resolution submitted in 2011 to grant Palestine full membership in the UN and reafirm its intention to achieve a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders.

With this new situation, we are now ready to resume the negotiation with Israel on issues of illegal settlements, Jerusalem, borders, refugees, water and other resources.

Saturday 6 October 2012

Forum Syd organises a Stakeholders's Social Accountability workshop in Dar


  1. Mr Godfrey Wawa, the Forum Syd Tanzania country Manager
    By Nasser Kigwangallah
    FORUM SYD, in colaaboration with Policy Forum and MS-TCDC has launched a three year social accountability programme aimed at making an informed decision on which interventions to apply and how they should be prioritised.
    Speaking to journalists on the side line iof a one day Stakeholders' Social and Accountability Workshop held in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Godfrey Wawa, the Forum Syd country mamanger for Tanzania said they commissioned a baseline study in the districts in which the programme operates.
    He said the report focuses on the three pre-selected districts within the target regions and provides recommendations on appropriate interventions and benchmarks against which future progress can be measured and evaluated. 
    The report of a very innovative social accountability benchmarking process can be read not only for the input it makes into a developing programme but for lessons of replicability by agencies in other countries across Africa.
    "For a successful delivery of the programme,  it is important for Forum Syd to understand that they are entering districts where community members have low trust in their service providers, private sector companies and CSOs with regards to social accountability.," he said.
    He continued to say that a program that deals with accountability issues should have a carefully planned entry process.  In order to avoid continued dissatisfaction with the delivery of social accountability it is important to win the public’s confidence, emphasis should be placed on community sensitisation with the aim of changing peoples’ attitudes and perception to stakeholders. 
    After three years there should also be a planned exit strategy to enable sustainability of social accountability in the districts and avoid jeopardising the publics’ trust He called on Local Government Authorities, private sector and CSOs to work towards creating an enabling environment in which the communities contribute to public policies and plans. 
    According to him, this secures buy in from the people that will be affected by the decisions. This can be done through strengthening the capacities of CSOs and communities to increase transparency in the intervention.
    He added that another alternative can be through CSOs or community representatives attending working groups or stakeholder forums where public policy issues are debated.
    Forum Syd should secure buy in from all stakeholders to support the process in order to give the Program legitimacy. 
    This should be done through signing Memorandums of Understanding with Local Government Authorities and CSOs.
    Communities should be trained to become responsive local governance actors as active engagement is crucial for there to be a well functioning social accountability process.
    It is recommended that the social accountability mechanisms are used in the capacity building of communities, enabling members to understand their purpose and how best to use them. 
    To further enhance the communities’ currently weak understanding of how the CSOs’ can contribute to social accountability it is recommended for communities to be trained in the meaning of accountability. 
    Meanwhile, CSOs should receive training to strengthen their understanding on how best to work with accountability and receive guidance on how to best position themselves as valuable stakeholders. Social accountability should be mainstreamed in areas of interventions.
    As social accountability depends on active engagement from the communities it is important to drive behavioural change. It is therefore recommended that youth and as the next generation of voters, should be educated of their rights and obligations. Educating them will indirectly influence their families and by doing so reach a greater number of beneficiaries.
    Ccommunity participation numbers are important as benchmarks against which future participation can be measured. In a democratic process one should always strive for full and meaningful participation, which is not manageable or realistic in a three year period. 
    The number of participants should however increase on an annual basis as a result of social accountability interventions.

Vodacom Tanzania launches Faraja Bima in Dar es Salaam

Mr. Rene Meza, the Vodacom Tanzania General Manager

THE necessity of Insurance to business entities as well as ordinary people, Vodacom Tanzania in collaboration with Heritage Insurance Company have launched an Insurance agency dubbed as ‘Faraja Insurance’ (Faraja Bima) for its customers in Tanzania.
The colourful event was held at Kilimanjaro Hotel  yesterday in Dar es Salaam and launched by the Finance Minister William Mgimwa and by Vodacom Tanzania’s Managing Director, Rene Meza during the launch of the Insurance service.
He said that through the insurance service, Vodacom users can buy insurance plans and pay for their premiums electronically through M-PESA.
Faraja Insurance will give individuals the option of changing or upgrading their insurance policies as their needs and budgets change,” said Meza.
He said through M-PESA services users can pay for Faraja Insurance ranging from Shs 2,000/= to Shs 9,800/= per month, adding that benefits will range from Shs 500,000/= to Shs 800,000/= for those who join the service.
Meza further added that all customers who conduct at least 10 M-PESA money transfers a month, will receive free insurance cover worth Shs 200,000/= in the following month.
M-PESA customers can join the service by dialing the M-PESA menu, *150*00# and select the insurance package to purchase and their preferred policy, within 72 hours, the claims will be directly transferred into the M-PESA account,” he clarified.
He also urged customers to ensure that they put their details accurately and understand the terms and conditions of Faraja Insurance through reading Faraja brochures, visiting M-PESA agents as well as Vodacom’s and Heritage Insurance Company’s websites.
For his part the Minister of Finance, Dr William Mgimwa congratulated the two companies for playing a significant role in improving financial services in our country.
Now that you have merged in financial and insurance services; a positive impact in our economy should be expected as even people in rural areas can now access Insurance services,” he said.
However Mgimwa urged other telecommunication companies to improve their services for the interests of clients and asked other insurance companies to educate people on the whole concept of insurance services and make sure that insurance services are available throughout the country.

Sunday 30 September 2012

Women in Dar celebrate Women"s Day with a style

Ms Maria Goretti Idigo addreessing participants on Women's Day 

By  Nasser Kigwangallah
WOMEN entrepreneurs in the country have been urged to demonstrate their potential by indulging in business skills so as to excel in life.
The call to that effect was made by Dr Maria Idigo, the Power Team executive director when making her key note address to a function to celebrate Women's Day in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.
She said challenges should not be the obstacle in reaching those intended goals and objectives.
“Women have got potential expertise to do remarkable things to surprise even men of highest calibre,” she said.
She said the search for true happiness through concerted efforts and personal pursuit should be encouraged by every woman in the society.
According to her most women entrepreneurs have manged to alleviate poverty and now were living the life of their dreams.
She however warned that women were getting problems in securing collateral in borrowing money from financial institutions such as banks etc, that hindered their businesses to grow.
She called on women to join Forever Living, a company that sells life saving products to get out of the poverty ring.
She said by selling Forever Living Products; one would be her great opportunityand a long journey to reach the intended goal.
On her part, Lightness Salema, an Independent Distributor and Lifestyle coach said: “Iam so proud to myself that despite of all difficulties, I managed to reach those dreams. I am very happy in my  decision to join the Forever Living Products.”
She said Forever gave her the opportunity to have a supplemental income. The best things she likes about in this Forever Business is having the freedom, enjoying what she was doing, meeting new friends; feeling healthier now, and happy helping others to improve both their health and their income.
“I truly believe that every great accomplishment begins with a vision, that is providing people the opportunity for better health and wealth,” she said.
For more than 30 years now, Forever Living is a multi-billion dollar company with a presence in over 145 countries, manufacturing and selling dozens of exclusive, beneficial wellness products based on one of nature's purest gifts - aloe vera.
At the moment there are over 9.5 million distributors worldwide who have discovered the power of Forever Living's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Millions of people are enjoying more fulfilling, healthier, and wealthier lives, thanks to a small business that began with only a dream.


Wednesday 19 September 2012

Ayatullah Ali Khamenei calls for Islamic awakening worldwide

'West seeks to defeat Muslim's revolutions' (2011/09/17 - 20:29)
بسم‌الله الرحمن الرحیم
السلام علیکم و رحمة الله و برکاته

الحمدلله رب العالمین و الصلوة و السلام علی سیدنا محمد و آله الطیبین و صحبه المنتجبین

قال الله العزیز الحكیم
: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم : يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَلا تُطِعِ الْكَافِرِينَ وَالْمُنَافِقِينَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا  وَاتَّبِعْ مَا يُوحَى إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا  وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلا
 ( O Prophet, fear Allah and do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (1). And follow that which is revealed to you from your Lord. Indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted. (2) And rely upon Allah ; and sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.(3) Surat Al-Ahzab )

I welcome our honored audience and dear guests. What has brought us here together is the Islamic awakening, which comes from the stronger inspiration and greater understanding among Muslim ummah. This awakening has led to a major development among nations of our region and has brought about uprisings and revolutions that could never have been contemplated in the calculations of the dominant regional and international satanic powers. These are momentous uprising that have razed to the ground the autocratic and imperialist strongholds and vanquished the tyrants guarding them.
There is no doubt that colossal social upheavals have always relied on solid foundation of history and civilization and are products of accumulation of wisdom and experiences. Over the past 150 years, the presence of great intellectual and jihadi personalities that have been opinion leaders and behind Islamic movements in Egypt, Iraq, India and other countries in Asia and Africa has served as precursors and pioneers for the present situation in the Islamic world.
The developments in the 1950’s and 60’s led to coming to power of regimes that were mostly inclined to materialistic ideologies and thoughts, and because of their inherent character fell into the trap of Western imperialist and colonialist powers. These are experiences that are lessons to learn from, and have contributed substantially to evolution of general and profound understanding in the Islamic world.
The Islamic Revolution in Iran that was hailed by Imam Khomeini as “victory of blood over sword”, and establishment of the lasting, robust, courageous and progressive Islamic republic, and its impact on present Islamic awakening is itself a long story that deserves to be debated and researched. There is no doubt that Islamic Revolution of Iran will be accorded a thorough and comprehensive chapter in the analysis and writings of history of the present situation of the Islamic world.
For that reason, the present and mounting facts and truths in the Islamic world are not simply events that are severed from the past historical roots, social and intellectual backgrounds to allow our adversaries and the shallow-minded to present them as a passing wave and short-lived phenomenon in order to snuff out hope in the hearts of nations by their warped and biased analyses.
In this brotherly dialogue with you I want to place greater emphasis on three areas:
1.     Taking a glance at the identity of these uprisings and revolutions
2.    Major threats and harms lying on their way.
3.    Recommendations to find solutions and prevent these threats and harms.
Regarding the first point, I believe the most important element in these revolutions is the actual and mass presence of people in the arena of action, struggle and jihad.  They were present, not only with their heart, desire and faith, but also with their body and souls. There is a big difference between this presence and the presence of a military group or even armed combatants in front of uncaring people or even concerned people.
In the events of 1950’s and 60’s in some countries of Africa and Asia, the heavy load of the revolution was not on the shoulder of diverse segments of population and the youth from all parts of the country, but rather on the shoulder of coup d'etat or small and limited armed groups. They decided and acted, and they themselves or the succeeding generation changed their ways as a result of certain motivations. The revolution became its own enemy and the enemy managed again to prevail over their countries. 
This is totally different than the change that comes from the people. It is the people that bring their body and soul to the arena of action, and by their jihad and devotion push back and defeat the enemy. It is the people that make the slogans and set the goals, identify and introduce and pursue the enemy. They draw their desired future, although not comprehensively, and as a result do not allow departure from the path of the revolution or conceding to the enemy, or change of course by compromising and the tainted few with special interests, and above all thwart the schemes of enemy’s agents.
In such a grass-root movement, the revolution may be slowed, but can stay away from short-sightedness and being on shaky ground. Quran says “Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky?
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاء
( Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky?
(24" Ibrahim )
When I saw the brave body of the proud people of Egypt on television in Tahrir Square, I became convinced that their revolution will triumph.
Let me confess something to you. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic republic in Iran which caused an earthquake among the worldly materialistic rulers in East and West and brought unprecedented uproar and joy to Muslim nations, we expected that Egypt would be next in line to rise. The reason was the history of jihad, progressive thinking and presence of great mojahids and intellectuals in Egypt. I was reciting in my heart this poem by Abu Faras:
 أراك عصيّ الدمع شیمتك الصبر                ما للهوی نهی علیك و لا أمر ؟
When I saw the people of Egypt in Tahrir Square and squares in other cities, I knew I have received my response. The people of Egypt told me with words coming from their heart:
 بلی أنا مشتاق و عندي لوعة                         ولكن مثلي لایذاع له سرُّ
This sacred secret was nothing but the motivation and resolve to rise, and gradually people of Egypt cemented this thought in their mind and at a historical juncture they manifested their resolve and entered the arena in a magnificent show of their power.
Tunisia, Yemen, Libya, and Bahrain are no exception to this general rule.
In these revolutions principles, values and goals are not written in prefabricated manifestos of groups and parties, but written in the minds, hearts and desires of each and every person present on the scene and are declared in the context of their slogans and behaviors.
With these signals one can clearly tell that the principles of current revolutions in the region, in Egypt and other countries, are first and foremost the following:
-    Revival and renewal of national dignity and respect that have been broken and trampled during long years of dictatorial and corrupt rule and the political domination of America and the West.
-    Keeping up the banner of Islam which is the profound faith and longstanding attachment of people and being able to enjoy peace of mind, justice, progress and prosperity that could only be achieved under Islamic Sharia.
-    Resistance against the influence and domination of the United States and Europe that have wreaked the greatest damage and humiliation on the peoples of these countries over the past two hundred years.
-    Countering the usurper and fictitious Zionist regime that the imperialist powers have planted like a dagger in the heart of this region to serve as a tool to continue their diabolical domination after expelling a whole nation from their historical homeland.
There is no doubt that the revolutions in the region that rely on and demand these principles are not to the liking of America, Europe and the Zionists, and they are going to use all means to deny them, but the truth will not change with their denial.
The widespread participation of people in these revolutions is the most important element that constitutes their identity. Foreign powers that tried everything in their power and used all their schemes to keep in power the tyrannical, corrupt and subservient rulers in these countries and only abandoned them when the people left no choice for them have no right to claim a share in the victory of these revolutions. Even in Libya intervention by America and NATO cannot distort the truth. In Libya, NATO has caused irreparable damage. Had it not been for the military intervention of NATO and America, victory of people might have been delayed, but all these infrastructures would not have been damaged, and innocent women and children killed and then enemies that were accomplices of Qaddafi would not have been able to intervene in this innocent war-torn nation.
People and the elite that are of the people and others who are from the people are the true owners of these revolutions that should be trusted to protect them and draw the path to the future.  
2- Regarding the threats and harm, I should first emphasize that although there are threats, but there are also ways to stay safe. Mere presence of threats should not scare nations.
إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا
( Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak)
. Allah says about a group of mojahids of early Islam:
الَّذِينَ قالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزادَهُمْ إِيماناً وَ قالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَ نِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ فَانْقَلَبُوا بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ فَضْلٍ لَمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ وَ اتَّبَعُوا رِضْوانَ اللَّهِ وَ اللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ
( Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs." So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty. )
We need to know what these threats are, in order not to be surprised and to be able to find solutions.    
We faced these perils and threats after the victory of Islamic Revolution and experienced them. With the grace of Allah and the leadership of Imam Khomeini and sacrifices of our people we managed to sail through them safely. The plots by enemies still continue but so does the firm resolve of our people.
I divide the harm to these movements into two groups: those that have their roots within ourselves and come from our own weaknesses, and those that have been directly planned by the enemy.
The first group of harms is of the following type:
The sense and thought that after the downfall of the corrupt dictator the job is over. The peace of mind and comfort that comes after the victory and afterward the lessening of motivation and weakening of determination are among the first perils, and the most damaging threat is when individuals ask for their share of the spoils of victory.
The story of the Battle of Uhud and the defenders seeking the spoils of victory caused the defeat of Muslims, and the mojahids were reprimanded by God. This is a good example that should never be forgotten. Being shocked and awed by the appearances of the arrogant powers and the feeling of fear from America and other interventionist powers are of these kinds of harm that should be avoided.
The brave and young should throw out these fears from their heart. Trusting the enemy and falling into trap of their smiles and promises is another threat that needs to be avoided by the forerunners and leaders. The enemy must be identified no matter what cover it uses. The nation and the revolution should be protected against the designs of the enemy that at times hide behind the appearances of friendship and supportive gestures. Another side to this page is becoming overconfident and overlooking the enemy. Bravery must be combined with wisdom and good judgment. We must use all treasures of God within ourselves against Satan, al-Jinn wal–Ens. Causing division and pitting revolutionaries against one another and penetration behind the battlefront of struggle is another great harm that needs to be avoided with all your power.
The second group of harm has been experienced by almost all countries of the region during different events. The first harm is the coming to power of those who are committed to America and the West. The West tries after the downfall of its pawns to protect the basic pillars of the system and levers of power, and change the direction by using the same foundation, but with a different head, in order to perpetuate its domination. This means wasting of all your efforts and sacrifices. At this stage, if they face resistance of the people, they try to introduce and offer to the movement and people other alternatives that are designed to divert the course of the movement. This scenario could be recommending government models and constitutions that will again throw the Islamic countries into the trap of cultural, political and economic dependence on the West.  This could lead to their influence among the revolutionaries greater financial and media strength of an unreliable current and marginalization of the genuine currents in the revolution. This also means return of the domination of the West and the stronger grip of then outdated Western models that are far from basic principles of the revolution.
If this tactic does not produce the desired result, experience tells us that they will go for anarchy, terrorism, civil war among followers of religions or ethnic communities and tribes, political parties, or even among neighboring nations and governments. Parallel to these actions, they will impose economic siege and sanctions, freeze national assets and launch all-out media war and propaganda. Their intention is to tire out and frustrate people and make the revolutionaries disappointed. Under these circumstances it becomes easy to defeat the revolution. Assassination of the righteous elite of the society and opinion leaders, defamation and vilification of others and even enticing some with money are among usual ploys used by the Western powers and the claimants of civilization  morality. 
In Iran, the evidence and documents from the U.S. Den of Espionage that fell into the hands of the revolution showed that all these plots were designed by the regime in the United States for the people of Iran for them bringing back the reactionary and dependant  rulers in revolutionary countries is a principle that prescribes all these dirty tricks.  
In the last part of my remarks, I present recommendations for your consideration and selection that are based on our tangible experiences in Iran and what has been gathered from the precise studies of other countries. Undoubtedly, conditions differ among nations and countries. Nonetheless, there are truths that can prove beneficial for all people.
The first point is that by placing one’s trust in God and believing in the repeated promises of divine victories in the Quran and through astuteness, resolve, and braveness, it is possible to surmount all obstacles and emerge victorious. Of course, the task that you all have taken up is quite grave and momentous. Thus, one must bear great hardship for its sake. The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (`a) says:
 
فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَقْصِمْ جَبَّارِي دَهْرٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا بَعْدَ تَمْهِيلٍ وَ رَخَاءٍ وَ لَمْ يَجْبُرْ عَظْمَ أَحَدٍ مِنَ الْأُمَمِ إِلَّا بَعْدَ أَزْلٍ وَ بَلَاءٍ وَ فِي دُونِ مَا اسْتَقْبَلْتُمْ مِنْ عَتْبٍ وَ مَا اسْتَدْبَرْتُمْ مِنْ خَطْبٍ مُعْتَبَر..”
The important recommendation is that you must always consider yourself as being present on the scene: فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانْصَبْ  (  So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].)Therefore, when thou art free, still labor hard), always consider God as present and as your aid: وَإِلَى رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ  (And to thy Lord turn all thy attention), and must not allow your victories to cause you to become arrogant or negligent: 
 اِذا جاءَ نَصْرُ اللهِ وَ الْفَتْحُ  وَ رَاَيْتَ النّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ في دينِ اللهِ اَفْواجاً فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَ اسْتَغْفِرْهُ  اِنَّهُ كانَ تَوّاباً
(When comes the help of Allah, and victory. And thou dost see the people enter Allah’s Religion in crowds. Celebrate the praises of thy Lord). These are the true foundations of a faithful nation.
Another recommendation is the constant rereading of the principles of revolution. The slogans and principles must be refined and brought in line with the foundations and undisputed principles of Islam. Independence, freedom, justice, refusal to bow to despotism and colonialism, rejection of ethnic, racial, and religious discrimination, and the outright rejection of Zionism, which, today, comprise the pivots of the movements in Islamic countries, are all inspired by Islam and the Quran.
Write down your principles on paper. Preserve your genuine nature with a high degree of sensitivity. Do not allow your enemies to formulate the principles of your future system. Do not allow Islamic principles to be sacrificed for transient interests. Deviation in revolutions starts with deviation in slogans and objectives. Never place your trust in the U.S., NATO, or criminal regimes such as Britain, France, or, Italy, which for long plundered and divided your land among themselves. Look upon them with suspicion and do not believe their smiles. Behind these smiles and promises lies conspiracy and betrayal. Find you own way by resorting to the blessed fountainhead of Islam and give back foreigners’ prescriptions to themselves.     
Another important recommendation is to avoid religious, ethnic, racial, tribal, and border disputes. Recognize differences as legitimate and manage them. Reconciliation among Islamic religions is the key to salvation. Those who fan the flames of religious division through apostatizing others are the mercenaries and servants of Satan, even if done inadvertently.   
Creating your own system of governance is your main and seminal task. This is a complex and difficult undertaking. Do not allow secular or western liberal or extremist nationalist or leftist Marxist models to be imposed on you. 
The leftist Eastern Bloc collapsed and the Western Bloc is propped up through violence, war, and deceit, and does not appear to have a bright outlook.
The passage of time will be to their loss and to the benefit of the Islamic current.
The ultimate goal must be a unified Islamic Ummah and the creation of a new Islamic civilization founded upon faith, rationality, knowledge, and morality. 
The liberation of Palestine from the savage claws of the Zionists is also a great objective. The countries of the Balkans, Caucasus, and western Asia were liberated from the claws of the former Soviet Union after eighty years. Why should the Palestinian people not be able to free themselves from the captivity of the oppressor Zionists after seventy years?
The present generation in Islamic countries has the capacity to accomplish such great feats. The young generation of today is a source of pride for the past generations. As noted by the Arab poet:
قالوا:
أبو الصخر من شيبان قلت لهم             كلا لعمري و لكن منه شيبانُ
و كم أبٍ قد علا بابنٍ ذُری  شَرَفٍ             كما علا برسولِ الله عدنانُ
Trust your young generation. Revive their feeling of self-confidence and benefit them by the experiences of the elders.
There are two important points in this connection:
First, one of the most important demands of the people who have revolted and who have been liberated is to have a decisive participation in the management of their countries. And since they believe in Islam, their desire is to have a system of Islamic democracy, i.e. the rulers being elected through the vote of the people and the dominant principles and values of the society being based on the Islamic knowledge and sharia. This can crystallize in various countries, depending on their conditions, through various methods and forms. However, utmost care must be taken not to confuse this with the western liberal democracy. The secular, and at times anti-religious, western democracy is in no way related to the Islamic democracy which is committed to the values and main principles of Islam in its system of government.

The second point relates to the fact that Islamic tenets must not be equated with backwardness, obscurantism, and ignorant and extremist biases. The demarcation between these two must be pronounced. Religious extremism, which is usually attended by violence, is the cause of falling short of the lofty goals of the revolution. This, in turn, results in the loss of public support and the eventual failure of the revolution.
In sum, to speak of Islamic awakening is not to speak of a nebulous and indistinct concept that is amenable to various interpretations. Rather, it is to speak of a tangible reality in the external world that has filled the atmosphere and resulted in great uprisings and revolutions and removed from the scene some dangerous elements of the enemy. Nonetheless, the scene remains fluid and in need of being shaped and brought to a conclusion. The verses recited at the outset contain a complete and effective set of guidelines, especially in this sensitive and momentous juncture… Though, they are addressed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), we all are their interlocutors and responsible for adhering to them. In these verses, piety (taqwa), in its lofty and broad connotation, is the first recommendation. Then comes the rejection of the orders of the infidels and hypocrites, adherence to the divine revelation, and, finally, trust in God…
Once again, we will review these verses:
بسم‌الله‌الرحمن‌الرحیم يا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ اتَّقِ ‌اللَّهَ وَ لا تُطِعِ الْكافِرينَ وَ الْمُنافِقينَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ عَليماً حَكيماً(1) وَ اتَّبِعْ ما يُوحى‏ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ بِما تَعْمَلُونَ خَبيراً (2) وَ تَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ كَفى‏ بِاللَّهِ وَكيلاً.
(In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. O Prophet! Fear Allah, and hearken not to the unbelievers and the hypocrites: verily Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. But follow that which comes to thee by inspiration from thy Lord: for Allah is well acquainted with (all) that ye do. And put thy trust in Allah, and enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs.)  والسلام علیکم و رحمة الله

T MARC Tanzania launches Dume condom in Dar


Mr SEif Rashid, the deputy minister for health making a key note speech

"AN important objective of T-MARC is to increase the availability and usage of condoms in and among most risk groups in Tanzania to mitigate transmission of the HIV Virus.We continue to examine holistic approaches  to end HIV spread. We firmly believe that through effective collaborations and partnerships, condom programming has a role to play in supporting the Government of Tanzania's goal of achieving zero new HIV infections and promoting a healthy and progressive nation.                                      Yes!  Tanzania bila ukimwi inawezekana. The onus is on each and all of us to actively play our role" T-MARC TANZANIA Director Mrs Diana Kisaka said during the inaugural ceremony.

Tuesday 4 September 2012

POLISI WAUA MWANDISHI WA HABARI IRINGA

Katibu Mkuu wa Jukwaa la Wahariri Tanzania (TEF), Neville Meena

 UTANGULIZI:
1. Jukwaa la Wahariri Tanzania (TEF), limepokea kwa masikitiko makubwa kifo cha mwandishi wa habari wa Kituo cha Televisheni cha Channel Ten, mkoani Iringa, Daudi Mwangosi.

2.Mwangosi ambaye pia alikuwa Mwenyekiti wa Chama cha Waandishi wa Habari mkoa wa Iringa (IPC), aliuawa akiwa kazini jana, Septemba 2, 2012, wakati polisi walipokuwa wakiwadhibiti wafuasi wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema).

3.Tukio hili linaiingiza Tanzania katika historia mbaya ya ukiukwaji na ukandamizwaji wa uhuru wa habari, kwani ni kwa mara ya kwanza tunashuhudia mwandishi wa habari AKIUAWA WAKATI AKITEKELEZA MAJUKUMU YAKE YA KIHABARI.

4. Taarifa za awali zinaonyesha kuwa Mwangosi kabla ya kufikwa na mauti saa 9.30 alasiri katika kijiji cha Nyololo, Mufindi, alizingirwa na kushambuliwa na polisi waliokuwa katika eneo la tukio. 
Na hata alipopiga kelele za kuomba msaada, hakusikilizwa na matokeo yake aliuawa na kitu kinachodhaniwa kuwa ni bomu.

5.Kwa kushirikiana na Baraza la Habari Tanzania, TEF tumechukua hatua za haraka za kuunda timu ya uchunguzi wa suala hilo, ambayo itakwenda mkoani Iringa mapema kadri itakavyowezekana, ili kubaini ukweli wa tukio hilo. 
Lengo la uchunguzi huo ni kuweka kumbukumbu sahihi (documentation) ya tukio hilo la aina yake katika historia ya nchi yetu.

6. Matokeo ya uchunguzi huo pamoja na mwingine unaofanywa na Umoja wa Klabu za Waandishi wa Habari Tanzania (UTPC), ndiyo yatakayotoa mwelekeo wa hatua ambazo TEF inachukua dhidi ya Jeshi la Polisi katika siku chache zijazo.
MTIZAMO NA MSIMAMO WA TEF:
Kwa kuzingatia taarifa kutoka Iringa na zile za vyombo vya habari vya jana (Jumapili, Septemba 02, 2012) na leo (Jumatatu, Septemba 03, 2012), TEF ina mtizamo na msimamo kama ifuatavyo:

1. Kwanza tunalaani vikali tukio la kupigwa, kisha kuuwawa kwa mwandishi Daudi Mwangosi ambalo limeigusa tasnia ya habari kwamba sasa pengine waandishi wa habari ni malengo “target ya polisi” wanapokuwa kwenye kazi zao.

2. Ieleweke wazi kwamba matukio haya siyo yanaondoa imani ya waandishi wa habari kwa jeshi la polisi tu, bali yanaweza kuwa chanzo cha uhasama na ufa mkubwa ambao utawanyima wananchi nafasi ya kutumikiwa na pande mbili ambazo zinategemeana.

3. Kwa matukio ya aina hii, tunadhani wakati mwafaka kwa uongozi wa Jeshi la Polisi nchini kuwajibika, kuazia kwa Kamanda wa Polisi wa Mkoa na uongozi wa Makao Mkuu, akiwamo Mkuu wa Jeshi la Polisi (IGP), Saidi Mwema.
4.Tunasema hivi kwani kuna kila dalili kwamba polisi wanahusika kwa namna moja au nyingine na tukio au na matukio yaliyosababisha kifo cha Mwangosi, kwani kitendo cha kumzingira tu na kumshambulia kinathibitisha kwamba hawakuwa na nia njema hata kidogo dhidi ya mwandishi huyu.

5.Taarifa ambazo TEF tunazo, pia  zinadai kwamba kulikuwa na mpango wa polisi wa “kuwashughulikia waandishi wa habari watatu” (Mwangosi) akiwa mmojawapo na hilo lilionekana likitekelezwa kwa polisi kumshambulia mwandishi huyo, baadaye alipoteza maisha katika mazingira ya kutatanisha.

6. Hili linatiliwa nguvu na tukio jingine la polisi kumpiga na kumjeruhi  mwandishi mwingine, Godfrey Mushi ambaye ni mwakilishi wa gazeti la Nipashe mkoani Iringa. Mwandishi wa tatu ambaye hadi tunapoandika taarifa hiyo yumo katika mpango wa ‘kushughulikiwa na polisi’ ni Francis Godwin ambaye ni mwandishi wa habari wa kujitegemea.
7. Vitendo vya aina hii havivumiliki na havipaswi kuachwa kuendelea kwani ni hatari kwa ustawi wa demokrasia na uhuru wa habari nchini. Hatuwezi kuendelea katika mazingira ambayo polisi wanageuka kuwa chombo cha mauaji ya raia badala ya kuwa walinzi wa raia.

8. Kwa maana hiyo, mbali na uchunguzi ambao utafanywa na polisi, tunatoa wito kwa Serikali kuunda chombo huru, ambacho kitabaini ukweli, na matokeo yake yatangazwe kwa umma, huku wahusika wa aibu hiyo wakichukuliwa hatua za kisheria. 
Tunasema hivyo, tukifahamu kwamba tayari kuna jitihada za kuficha ukweli na kueneza propaganda za uongo kuhusu tukio zima.

9. Mwenendo wa aina hii wa chombo cha dola kuamua kutumia silaha kuua na baadaye kupanga mbinu chafu za kuficha ukweli ni hatari kwa Taifa, na unaiweka demokraisia ya nchi yetu njia panda, huku tukielekea katika hatari ya Taifa kutumbukia katika uovu.

IMETOLEWA NA:
 
NEVILLE MEENA,
KATIBU MKUU – JUKWAA LA WAHARIRI TANZANIA (TEF)
SEPTEMBA 3, 2012

Tuesday 21 August 2012

AL QUDUS DAY OBSERVED BY MUSLIMS IN DAR ES SALAAM

























By Nasser Kigwangallah
THE grand Imam Khomeini (RA), the leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution called upon the Muslims of the world to mark the last Friday of Ramadhan in their calendars as the day of Quds, an annual anti-Zionist day of protest commemorated in several Muslim countries. His call was clear and firm:
I call on all the Muslims of the world to select as Al-Quds Day the last Friday in the holy month of Ramadan – which is itself a determining period and can also be the determiner of the Palestinian people’s fate – and through a ceremony demonstrating the solidarity of Muslims world-wide, announce their support for the legitimate rights of the Muslim people.
The last Friday of the month of Ramadhan, very likely in the week which contains the night of Qadr is a determining period. Our destinies are sealed in this week and our prayers, answered. The reason this day was selected by the supreme leader is because the day carries considerable weight in the eyes of the Almighty. If all Muslims stand in unison against the oppression faced by Palestine, and join in their struggle, coupled with the blessed week of Qadr, in the greatest month of the Islamic calendar and the best day of the week, who’s to say what could happen. The Almighty destroyed an army of elephants with birds a thousand times smaller – Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the people of the Elephant? Surely it is not a task for Him to bring the oppressors of today to justice.
Of course, we need not exist if Allah (SWT) were to solve all our problems without any struggle and any effort on our part. The aforementioned verse from the third chapter in the Qur’an gives us an accurate guideline on how to deal with the current situation of the world, be it the military oppression in Palestine & Syria, or the economic oppression in Africa. As we explore our lives to determine our purpose, many have come to realize the importance of humanity towards others in this world. The contentment one obtains from actively helping out their community or their society exceeds any satisfaction obtained from worldly riches. Maybe this is one of the purposes of our existence – that we learn to be selfless, that we learn to share our blessings with the less fortunate. And when we do share, when we do help, when we do serve, there is a feeling that can only be described as ‘right’. It feels humanely right to give charity, it feels right to help out our neighbors, it feels right to protect the orphans and the oppressed. Never will you attain righteousness until you spend [in the way of Allah] that which you love.

To achieve one of the purposes in our life, to attain that righteousness, we have to spend from what we love. To evaluate this verse, we have to first identify what we really love and hold dear in our lives. What do we value to a great extent? Is it our wealth, health, family, time, education or our youth? To give charity out of something you do not value is easy. For instance, if one earns a salary of a million dollars a year, out of which a thousand is dedicated to charity. Despite the great amount of reward he/she may get for the given charity, it is not something that will attain you righteousness. Surely a thousand from a million is not a significant amount, it is not something you hold dear, not something you love. If you’re unemployed and have plenty of free time and you decide to spend an hour a day at your local orphanage, again that one hour is not something you hold so dear and once again, one may obtain the reward but will they attain righteousness?
As we stand with the people of Palestine this last Friday of Ramadhan, think of what you love and what you value and let us be honest with ourselves, are we truly giving what we dearly value in the cause of Allah(SWT)? Surely protecting the oppressed is the cause of Allah. If it is your time that you hold dear, sacrifice more of your time for the cause of Palestine – run, or participate in an anti-Zionist rally. If it is your wealth that you value the most, contribute towards the various charitable organizations that support the oppressed people of Palestine. If it is your family, sacrifice your and their time towards this cause, educate them, mobilize them, and support them to stand up in this fight against oppression. Seek out what you love, and spend that in the way of Allah(SWT). Yes, at first there may be that hesitance, because you’re sacrificing something that you hold dear, but the satisfaction, the reward, the righteousness you will attain from it is incomparable.
And whatever you spend – indeed Allah is knowing. Know that whatever you spend in his cause is not a forgone blessing. Be certain that your reward lies with Allah(SWT). Anything you spend in the way of Allah, you will be rewarded its multiple. Lend unto God a goodly loan. Whatever good you shall forward on your behalf you shall find it with God, as better and richer in reward.