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Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
JEHOVAHS Witnesses in Zimbabwe will this year host its annual convention virtually in response to Covid-19 regulations which prohibits gatherings in large numbers.
The convention which is traditionally held in August in stadiums, arenas and other large gathering spaces will now be streamlined on the church website. Church spokesperson Mr Witness Gama said they had to cancel the gathering in March 2020 following Government directives.
“Typically, these conventions are held in stadiums, arenas, conference halls, and smaller gathering places around the world.
Locally, five conventions were scheduled to be held in July and August 2020 at Amphitheater and ZITF in Bulawayo, where 10 000 people were expected to attend. The convention was cancelled in March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our worship is centres on our mutual love for our God and for each other, irrespective of where we are physically,” he said.
This year’s convention programme, the church said, underscores the unity of the international family and the joy that people can have against a backdrop of stress and despair.
“The two Christian principles guiding the Witnesses’ historic decision are respect for the sanctity of life and love of neighbor. As much as we long to meet together, life is far too precious to put at risk.
The virtual meetings we have held over the past four months have proved to all of us that it’s not about where we are physically. It’s about where we are spiritually,” he added.
Each year many who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses also attend the annual conventions.
“There are more than 8.6 million active Witnesses worldwide, yet the 2019 conventions had a peak attendance of more than 14 million. With the programme available online in hundreds of languages, this may be the most attended convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses to date,” added Mr Gama.
@NyembeziMu
Online Reporter