4 August 2008
AFRICAN Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches across Zambia yesterday conducted prayers for the speedy recovery of President Mwanawasa currently admitted to a French hospital.
Speaking to journalist at the Ebenezer AME church in Lusaka yesterday, Presiding Prelate Paul Kawimbe called on Christians throughout Zambia to pray for the president.
Reverend Kawimbe said the AME Church was concerned about the health of the Head of State hence holding the prayers for his speedy recovery, the first family and the leadership of the country.
"We have declared today as a day of prayers for the quick recovery of President Mwanawasa. We are calling upon all the Christians in the country to pray for the president," Rev Kawimbe said.
Rev Kawimbe also commended political leaders from different parties for the exemplary manner with which they have handled the issue of the president's illness.
He noted that despite differences in political ideologies, politicians were not politicising Dr Mwanawasa's illness.
He said that during this difficult moment, it was important that politicians remained united and avoided at all costs, to politicise the president's illness.
"Our politicians must continue to be mature and peaceful during this time that the president is not well. This is a trying moment but they should be mature and peaceful," Rev Kawimbe said.
On those asking for the publication of the president's pictures in hospital, Rev Kawimbe said that the demands were a manifestation that they were missing Dr Mwanawasa.
He however advised that those asking for Dr Mwanawasa's pictures should control their emotions and wait until he recovers and returns home.
He also advised those responding to the demands of publishing the pictures to do so in a sober manner.
"Those responding should know that the people do not have ill feelings but they are missing the president," Rev Kawimbe said.
President Mwanawasa was evacuated to France after suffering a stroke while attending the African Union (AU) summit in Egypt.
The president has undergone two operations since he fell ill and doctors attending to him have expressed satisfaction with the progress at which he is recovering.
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