ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has underscored the need for the government to closely look at the poor infrastructure of madrasas and welfare of religious teachers and imams.

He made the remarks yesterday during a meeting with senior leaders and members of the Zanzibar Council of Ulamaa who paid a courtesy call to State House Zanzibar.

Dr Mwinyi said that the infrastructure of madrasas, and the welfare of madrasa teachers and imams in the isles needed immediate action for improvement.

He suggested that it would be beneficial for the government, in collaboration with religious institutions, to explore effective ways to address and resolve the challenges.

On the issue of moral decay in society, Dr Mwinyi commended the council for its continued efforts to educate people despite the scale of the problem.

Furthermore, he praised the council’s leadership and members for their work in providing marriage education to couples and marriage registrars in Unguja and Pemba, something which he said greatly helped reduce marital problems and conflicts.

He encouraged the council to maintain its role in promoting peace and stability by using a unified voice through their leaders, imams and politicians on their platforms to foster national unity and cohesion.

Zanzibar Mufti Sheikh Saleh Omar Kaab commended Dr Mwinyi’s development efforts which he said bring hope to Zanzibaris.

He promised strong support from the council particularly in matters concerning national cohesion, peace and stability.

Sheikh Khalid Ali Mfaume, executive secretary in the Mufti’s Office in Zanzibar, noted that among the council’s responsibilities are advising and assisting Mufti of Zanzibar, providing education to madrasa teachers, couples, and marriage registrars, issuing certificates upon completing training and resolving various religious issues, including issuing fatwas on community challenges.