Hichilema ritual suspicious, UPND told

Sat, 30 Dec 2017 12:59:46 +0000

UPND should not protest that Zambians have condemned UPND President Hakainde Hichilema for performing a strange prayer on the Mongu road because it is not in conformity with Christian practices, says the Evangelical Youth Alliance (EYA).

UPND Spokesperson Charles Katuka was on Friday quoted in some sections of the media admonishing people who had condemned Mr Hichilema’s style of prayer.

Executive director Reverend Moses Lungu told the Daily Nation that UPND spokesperson Charles Katuka should not mislead Zambians into thinking that the prayer Mr Hichilema performed was normal and should be accepted by Zambians.

He said Mr Katuka should not mislead people into believing that the behaviour displayed by the UPND President had been performed by several politicians who considered some places memorable.

Rev Lungu said it was offensive for Mr Katuka to call Zambians abnormal for finding the prayer sinister as it was not a normal practice in Zambia.

He said Mr Hichilema was an elder of the seventh day church and such practices were not part of the Christian doctrine.

“Mr Hichilema is an Adventist but how can one say the prayer he performed on that road is Christian, let us be honest how many Adventists have we seen bowing and mumbling words while kissing the ground?

“The UPND should not always try to cover up for Mr Hichilemas mistakes with lies. Those were extremes and the sooner they realise that, the better,” Rev Lungu said.

He said youths looked up to leaders and Mr Hichilema’s prayer was unchristian and nothing to admire.

Rev Lungu said it was unreasonable for the UPND to say that it was normal for people in Islam to pray in the manner Mr Hichilema did, because he was not a Muslim unless he had recently converted.

He said it was unacceptable for politicians to be juggling lies in full view of Zambians.