Opinion / Religion
Rastafarians pray for peace in Zimbabwe
26 Nov 2011 at 17:10hrs | Views
Hundreds of Rastafarians from across the country converged on the Cherutombo House of Nyahbinghi in Marondera on Saturday to pray for peace in the country.
The prayer meeting coincided with preparations for this year's Unity Day commemorations.
The Rastafarians began with a march along the streets of Marondera, drawing large crowds as they hoisted the Rastafari flag and sang praises to their leader, Haile Selassie I.
They later preached at Cherutombo Shopping Centre.
Addressing the gathering, deputy director in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity Mr Colin Mungate, who stood in for Minister Webster Shamu, commended the Rasta community for promoting peace and righteousness.
He said Government, through Zanu-PF, also appreciated the peace prayer as President Mugabe was advocating the same. He said Rastafarians should continue to enjoy freedom of expression and worship, adding that their anti-imperialist stance would help conscientise the nation.
"We want the Rasta community to own land as well as be given places to worship in every urban area. We will, as Government, ask all local authorities to give Rastas a place where they are free to pray and practise their religion," he said.
He said President Mugabe, who visited Kingston, Jamaica, some years back, could not stop visiting the Rastafarian community in that country where lengthy discussions on how they fought for emancipation took place.
He said it was through the prophecy of the likes of Marcus Garvey and the late reggae musician Robert Nesta Marley that many young Africans, especially in Zimbabwe, took up arms to fight the white settler regime.
"Rastas are known for honesty in everything they do. They are not greedy or selfish."
Robert Nesta Marley, better known as Bob Marley, performed at Zimbabwe's first independence celebrations in April 1980.
Speaking at the same occasion, Ras Alexander Munyuki said his constituency would continue to pray for peace.
He said it was critical for Zimbabweans to open their eyes and resist divisive religion.
"This is the true religion which is from Ethiopia and not Jamaica. This country belongs to Yahweh and Yahweh is God. Our teachings emphasise removing white supremacy.
"Remove the mental slavery and spiritual bondage brought about by white supremacy."
The prayer meeting coincided with preparations for this year's Unity Day commemorations.
The Rastafarians began with a march along the streets of Marondera, drawing large crowds as they hoisted the Rastafari flag and sang praises to their leader, Haile Selassie I.
They later preached at Cherutombo Shopping Centre.
Addressing the gathering, deputy director in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity Mr Colin Mungate, who stood in for Minister Webster Shamu, commended the Rasta community for promoting peace and righteousness.
He said Government, through Zanu-PF, also appreciated the peace prayer as President Mugabe was advocating the same. He said Rastafarians should continue to enjoy freedom of expression and worship, adding that their anti-imperialist stance would help conscientise the nation.
"We want the Rasta community to own land as well as be given places to worship in every urban area. We will, as Government, ask all local authorities to give Rastas a place where they are free to pray and practise their religion," he said.
He said President Mugabe, who visited Kingston, Jamaica, some years back, could not stop visiting the Rastafarian community in that country where lengthy discussions on how they fought for emancipation took place.
He said it was through the prophecy of the likes of Marcus Garvey and the late reggae musician Robert Nesta Marley that many young Africans, especially in Zimbabwe, took up arms to fight the white settler regime.
"Rastas are known for honesty in everything they do. They are not greedy or selfish."
Robert Nesta Marley, better known as Bob Marley, performed at Zimbabwe's first independence celebrations in April 1980.
Speaking at the same occasion, Ras Alexander Munyuki said his constituency would continue to pray for peace.
He said it was critical for Zimbabweans to open their eyes and resist divisive religion.
"This is the true religion which is from Ethiopia and not Jamaica. This country belongs to Yahweh and Yahweh is God. Our teachings emphasise removing white supremacy.
"Remove the mental slavery and spiritual bondage brought about by white supremacy."
Source - Sunday Mail
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