`Christian declaration not undermining other religions’

THE declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation 28 years ago does not in any way undermine other religious groupings in the country, National Secretary for the Committee on the Commemoration of Zambia as a Christian Nation Reverend Chongo Phiri has said.

And Reverend Phiri says Zambians should also reflect on the declaration, in a quest to guarantee continued peace and the upholding of good morals.

She was speaking when she made an appearance on Millennium Radio's History Hour Program on yesterday.

On December 29, 1991, then Republican President, Dr Frederick Chiluba declared Zambia a Christian nation and the declaration was later incorporated into the preamble of the national constitution.

Reverend Phiri has noted that despite majority of Zambians being Christians, other religions have freedom of worship adding that the declaration was not discriminatory as there were Muslem nations in other parts of the world where Christians were equally free to practice their religion.

“We know that in the world there are states that are Islamic but they also subject themselves to providing freedom of religion to other faiths. Even us as Zambia, we know the majority of our people are Christians, but other religions are free to practice,” Reverend Phiri said.

She cited article 19 of the constitution that gives the freedom for people to practice other religions, adding that the declaration of Zambia as Christian nation meant that Zambia as a country wants to be identified as such.

Meanwhile the committee has lined up various activities across the country with the main event planned for Sunday December 29, 2019, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and would be graced by Vice President Inonge Wina.

Rev Phiri said buses would be available to pick people from different parts of Lusaka to the main event which would take place in the afternoon.