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.

Couples undergo HIV/AIDS voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in Dar es

By Nasser Kigwangallah

MALE involvement in HIV/AIDS voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is crucial if the war against the pandemic is to be won.

The remarks were made by Agnes Mandwa, project coordinator KIOTA Women Health and Development (KIWOHEDE) at a one day event aimed at sensitizing married couples to undergo HIV/AIDS voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in Dar es Salaam recently.

The event was organized in collaboration with Engender Health through its Champion programme.

She said involving couples-focused voluntary counseling and testing is effective because the full package of care can be made available to the entire family from the point of diagnosis.

She said they wanted more men to come and fully participate in the whole process of HIV/AIDS testing so that the war against the pandemic could be contained and later on won.

“Through linkages with Champion and Engender Health, established this continuum of care where both men and women who came to local partner treatment facilities for antenatal care are referred to,” she said.

She added that men may fail to access HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services for reasons that include occupation, residence, employment-related migration, social norms and cultural beliefs.

But, she added that the open event at a local market in Dar es Salaam has proved to be effective as most men have come to access this service.

She remarked: “We have so far tested eighty people and more are still coming, surpassing the target of only sixty people we have anticipated earlier.”

On his part Muganyizi Edward, the Committee Action Team member said the programme in particular, advocated for male participation in prevention of vertical HIV transmission programmes in order to improve outcomes for women and children at the family level.

“Male partners can influence women’s uptake of HIV testing and antenatal services.  For example, women may experience difficulty adhering to treatment due to concerns about disclosure to a partner,” he said.

He added that increasing evidence suggests that partner support results in greater antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and antenatal clinic attendance, as well as lower transmission rates of HIV to a child.

He said a first step in generating partner support was getting men to test for HIV as well. 

He said there is a heightened risk of transmission during pregnancy in discordant couples, in which one person is HIV-infected and the other is not, for both women and men. 

He remarked: “In the case where the man is HIV positive, precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of transmission to his pregnant partner also preventing transmission to the child.”

Iranian Cultural Centre in Dar es Salaam organises Quran literature and exhibition and Quran compettion

By Nasser Kigwangallah

THE Iranian Cultural Centre in Dar es Salaam organised a one day event called Quran literature and exhibition and Quran compettion in which 20 students from 4 ahlu-bayty madrassahs toook part.

Six out of twenty were declared winners of the competition, three from hifdh section and three from tartee and tajuweed sections.

Funs, including, Tigo Public Relations Officer Alice Maro at Coco Beach, enjoying the event on Saturday.
Photo by: Nasser Kigwangallah

 

 

By Nasser Kigwangallah 

IN an extraordinary endeavour to attract more of its customers, Tigo organized a two-days entertainment bonanza at Coco Beach grounds in Dar es Salaam from Saturday June 30^th, 2012 to Sunday July 1^st,  2012 aimed at showcasing of its services it offers to its customers across the country. 

Speaking to this reporter at the venue of the event on Saturday, Edward Shila, Tigo Promotion, Public Relations and Sponsorship Specialist said they have organized the event to enjoy with their customers and also mark the start of Saba Saba Trade Fair, an annual event.

He continued to say that a number of renowned artists took the stage on Saturday and Sunday with vocal, dance and acrobatic skills. Tigo funs had the opportunity to enjoy the latest hits from Mr. Nice and H.Baba.

Others who thrilled the crowd were: Juma Nature, Roma Mkatoliki, Izzo B, Professor J, Mwasiti, Barnabas, Fid Q, Joh Makini and a special performance by the actor of the ‘Origino Comedy Show.’ 

‘’ A good number of Tigo funs, approximately 4,000 people from all over the City and beyond, flocked the Coco Beach grounds,  its was  jam – packed as it was the weekend with a lot of entertaining activities,’’ he said.

Tigo also showed its products and services which were readily available and easily accessible for them right on the venue.

The party’s climax marked the beginning of the Euro 2012 Finals which was shown on the big screen.

THE 3RD NATIONAL PAEDIATRIC HIV CONFERENCE OPENS IN DAR

By Nasser Kigwangallah

THE government of Tanzania was doing enough to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS, including children are treated carefully so that the pandemic could be curtailed.

The remarks were made by the Assistant Director of Preventive Servises at the Ministry of Health and Vocational Training Dr. Neema Rusibamayila on the occasion to open the 3^rd National Paediatric HIV Conference in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, this week.

She said as Tanzania was the 5^th country in the world with largest number of persons living with HIV/AIDS approximately 1.4 million, the ministry of health and its agencies was educating more people on the services which are available for children and their families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS and also on the better ways of disinfection.

She continued too say that the government recognises the importance of making HIV care and treatment accessible to as many children as possible.

“During HIV testing campaigns, most people who come there for testing are mostly adults, where children do not come at all, therefore denying services to the most needful group in our midst,” she said.

She added that with that shortcoming, the government has facilitated such partnership with different non governmental organisations with whom are joining hands together in this meeting to put together a mechanism for reaching the target.

She remarked: “We intend to improve access to more children who are in dire need of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support services.”

She hoped that this gathering would pave way to improved access of quality children's HIV/AIDS services in the country.

She called upon professionals to utilise the conference and evaluate the efforts of the governmet's ability to fight the pandemic.

She urged all participants to be active in contributing their views and ideas as well as their expertise and strategies so as to achieve the elimination of paediatric HIV to zero HIV related deaths and zero stigma.

According to her, the Ministry of Health and Vocational Training is aggressively striving to for improved access to to quality of HIV and Aids services at all levels in order to attain the global agenda of elimination of Paediatric HIV by 2015.

Tigo kicks – off SabaSaba on High Note

Tigo kicks – off SabaSaba on High Note

27 June, 2012, Dar es salaam. Tigo is turning the heat this weekend with lineup of major artists performing live against the stunning backdrop of the beach.

The two – day celebration, which marks the start of the Saba Saba Trade Fail, will be held at coco Beach on Saturday June 30 and Sunday, July 1, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Take centre stage on Saturday and test out your vocal, dance and acrobatic skills as you complete against other entrants in the Tigo underground Talent Show. Or sit back relax and enjoy the latest Hits from Mr. Nice and H.Baba.

‘’ this year we have chosen jam – pack the weekend with a lot of entertaining activities,’’ said Alice Maro, public relation officer of Tigo. ‘’ we don’t only want people to come and enjoy themselves this weekend, but we have also made our products and services readily available and easily accessible for them to also enjoy,’’ she said.

The height of the celebration will be on Sunday with performances from Juma Nature, Roma Mkatoliki, Izzo B, Professor J, Mwasiti, Barnabas, Fid Q, Joh Makini and a special performance by the actor of the ‘Origino Comedy Show.’

There will no need to head home early once sun goes down, since the party’s climax marks the beginning of the Euro 2012 Finals. Catch the game live on the Big Screen beginning from 8 p.m.

Admission is free, and Tigo encourages everyone to come on down to Coco Beach and celebrate Saba Saba in a big way!

About Tigo

Tigo, the first cellular networks in Tanzania, started operations in 1994 and is Tanzania’s most affordable and innovative mobile phone operator covering 26 regions in mainland Tanzania anad Zanzibar.

Tigo is part of Millicon International Cellullar S.A (MIC) which provides affordable, widely accessible and readily available cellular telephony, robust mobile financial services and the fastest and most reliable internet connection to more than 43 customers in emerging markets in Africa and Latin America.

For futher information visit: www.tigo.co.tz

Issued by: Alice Maro ● PR-Tigo ● Mobile +255 713 123754

Tigo kicks – off SabaSaba on High Note

TIGO is turning the heat this weekend with lineup of major artists performing live against the stunning backdrop of the beach.

The two – day celebration, which marks the start of the Saba Saba Trade Fail, will be held at coco Beach on Saturday June 30 and Sunday, July 1, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Take centre stage on Saturday and test out your vocal, dance and acrobatic skills as you complete against other entrants in the Tigo underground Talent Show. Or sit back relax and enjoy the latest Hits from Mr. Nice and H.Baba.

‘’ this year we have chosen jam – pack the weekend with a lot of entertaining activities,’’ said Alice Maro, public relation officer of Tigo. ‘’ we don’t only want people to come and enjoy themselves this weekend, but we have also made our products and services readily available and easily accessible for them to also enjoy,’’ she said.

The height of the celebration will be on Sunday with performances from Juma Nature, Roma Mkatoliki, Izzo B, Professor J, Mwasiti, Barnabas, Fid Q, Joh Makini and a special performance by the actor of the ‘Origino Comedy Show.’

There will no need to head home early once sun goes down, since the party’s climax marks the beginning of the Euro 2012 Finals. Catch the game live on the Big Screen beginning from 8 p.m.

Admission is free, and Tigo encourages everyone to come on down to Coco Beach and celebrate Saba Saba in a big way!

About Tigo

Tigo, the first cellular networks in Tanzania, started operations in 1994 and is Tanzania’s most affordable and innovative mobile phone operator covering 26 regions in mainland Tanzania anad Zanzibar.

Tigo is part of Millicon International Cellullar S.A (MIC) which provides affordable, widely accessible and readily available cellular telephony, robust mobile financial services and the fastest and most reliable internet connection to more than 43 customers in emerging markets in Africa and Latin America.

For futher information visit: www.tigo.co.tz

Issued by: Alice Maro ● PR-Tigo ● Mobile +255 713 123754