President Mwinyi leads hundreds at Raza's last funeral rites
President Hussein Mwinyi and Hassan Raza during the prayer to mark the last funeral rites of businessman Mohammed Raza on Friday, July 14 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Zanzibar.
Unguja. Zanzibar's President Hussein Mwinyi was on Friday, July 14, among the hundreds who attended the last funeral rites of late businessman Mohammed Raza at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Unguja.
Mr Raza a renowned businessman passed away on June 8, at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam where he was admitted for treatment.
He was buried on the same day at the Kisutu Cemetary in the comemercial capital.
The hundreds were also joined in the prayers by Zanzibar's former President Dr Mohammed Shein, First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman, other high ranking government officials and members of the business community who uologised the former Uzini constituency representative.
Former President Dr Mohammed Shein signs a condolence book at a prayer event to mark the last funeral rights for Mohammed Raza on July 14
Speaking on behalf of the government, the second Vice President Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla said Mr Raza was a true philanthropist who often gave back to the community.
"He was never shy to admit that what he got was partly because of his community and government support and that is why he always remained close and felt obliged to give back," he said.
CCM's publicity secretary Khamis Mbeto Khamis, on the other hand hailed the businessman's contribution in the sports sector that led to Zanzibar's victory at the Cecafa.
"It was this contribution that influenced President Salmin Amour to appoint him as his sports advisor," he said.
On his part, Hassan Mohammed Raza, the deceased's son said death had robbed them of someone more than just a father.
" He was a teacher, a friend and a father who taught me very many things in life and whenever we fell short of anything it was easy to reach out for not only advise but even comfort," said Hassan Raza.
Narrating Mr Raza's rise as both a politician and businessman, Hassan said his father started his struggles as a trader at a young age of 16 before later joining the youth wing of CCM.
"He traded between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam and with baby steps plus determination his businesses grew," he said.
He pledged to continue with the work that his father was doing and in order to make sure that it is done the family is set to start a foundation.
He further thanked the government for its support during their father's illness and even after his death.
