A high-powered delegation from the Council of Imams across the country today Monday 28th October, 2019 met with Vice President Dr Mohamed
Juldeh Jalloh at his Tower Hill office where they registered their
apologies over the unfortunate incident that occurred past Friday Juma prayers at Bashariya Mosque, Freetown.
The religious ministers were rising to the occasion following a recent incident at that mosque where supporters of the opposition APC candidate Dr Samura Kamara disrupted the sanity of the holy place when the visiting VP was addressing worshippers.Speaking on behalf of all the Imams in the country, the President of the Council of Imams, Dr. Mohamed Habib Sheriff, said that the incident was unprecedented in Islam because Muslims are known for being peaceful, respectable to elders, humble and very submissive at all times.
The President expressed his dissatisfaction at the Bashariya worshipers. He condemned the act, adding that the VP is a father of all Muslims in the country. He promised that the United Council of
Imams will put mechanisms in place whenever a future visit is
scheduled.Responding to members of the council, Vice President of the Republic
of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said that the incident was very unfortunate. He stressed that he does not need to give any prior
notification should he wish to pray as a Muslim.Accepting the apologies from the holy men, VP thanked the Council of Imams for apologizing on behalf of the Bashariya worshipers and the entire Muslims in the country.However, the VP lamented that it is regrettable that while the
Basharia leadership blamed him for not informing them about his
intention to observe the Jumaat prayers, the leadership did not
condemn the appalling behavior of the supporters of Sumura Kamara in a place of worship.The VP intimated that although protocol demands that he informs
mosques authorities of his intention to prayer with them, his reason
for unannounced visits is to avoid the possibility of interrupting the proceedings of Jamaat prayers around him, adding that he wants to come as a normal worshipper and observe his prayers like any other devout Muslim.He noted that the country has religious tolerance and that his boss
President Bio always preaches it. He assured that the New Direction
government is desirous of continuing with that trajectory in the country.He revealed that the New Direction government is doing its utmost to support the religious bodies in the country and that their aim is to enhance the prevalence of peace and tranquility in the country.Courtesy of Satellite News.
