NATIONAL Guidance and Religious Affairs minister Godfridah Sumaili says attendance to this year’s commemoration of the national day of prayer and fasting will be strictly by invitation.
Delivering a ministerial statement in parliament, Tuesday, Rev Sumaili said the main event to be held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre would be graced by President Edgar Lungu while Vice-President Inonge Wina would be in Chipata, Eastern Province.
“The national day of prayer is being organized by the clergy from various denominations, working hand in hand with the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, provincial administration officers and the district commissioner’s offices. The arrangements for this year’s commemorations will be different from previous years. The event will be conducted under strict adherence to the Ministry of Health guidelines. Attendance to this year’s commemoration will be by invitation only. Proceedings will be aired live on both national television and radio, including community radio stations. Since 18th October 2020 is falling on a Sunday, we expect churches to observe this important day and the theme and pray accordingly,” Rev Sumaili said.
She urged Zambian missions abroad to also observe the day and participate in the prayers.
“Our Zambian missions abroad are expected to observe this day and participate in the praying with fasting. The venue for the main national event in Lusaka will be the Mulungushi International Conference Centre and will be graced by His Excellency, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia. Her Honour Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina MP, the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia will grace the commemoration that will be held in Chipata, Eastern Province,” Rev Sumaili said.
She said provincial ministers would grace the commemorations at their respective provinces while district commissioners would do so at their districts.
And Rev Sumaili said the dress code for the prayer day would be formal such as lounge suits, church uniforms, Chitenge outfits and Zambian colours.
“Interdenominational gatherings in all provinces and districts will be held in their designated convenient places, following strictly the COVID-19 health guidelines. The dress code will be formal: A lounge suit, church uniforms, Chitenge outfits and outfits in Zambian colours,” said Rev Sumaili.
The 2020 National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance, and Reconciliation will be commemorated under the theme “Zambia seeks God’s intervention for sustained national unity, peace and prosperity”.
