April 12, 2016 By Alhaji Mansaray
President Ernest Bai Koroma has hailed the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Sierra Leone over what he says was their commitment in moving the country forward in terms of development in the areas of education, health, agriculture and discipline.
Speaking at the 54th annual Jalsa conference of the Ahmaddiya Muslim Jamaat in Bo last Friday, President Koroma said the theme of the conference – peace and justice – was timely because the mission has stood for both virtues throughout history. He acknowledged there would be no peace without justice, education, agriculture, etc, and commended the role played by the mission during the Ebola outbreak.
President Koroma was joined by Vice President Victor Foh at the annual meeting of the Ahmadiyya jamaat, which attracted more than 18,000 attendees.
He eulogised religious tolerance demonstrated at the meeting, which had Christians and other Islamic sects in attendance, adding that such has contributed to peace in Sierra Leone.
He noted that the purpose of the conference was for the Jamaat members to renew their commitment to the Almighty Allah and congratulated the Jamaat on hosting a successful Jalsa
A representative from the International Headquarters of Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Latif Ahmed Jhummat, who spoke on the ‘shuhadae’, said the Holy Quran has made it clear that those who follow the path of Allah shall receive their reward, while those who follow the Holy Prophet are guaranteed the rank of prophethood.
Missionary-in-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Sierra Leone, Amir Saeed UR Rahman said members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat practice their faith in accordance with principles of the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW). He urged all to always speak truth and respect authorities. He expressed thanks and appreciation to the eighteen thousand plus attendees of the annual conference.
Alhaji Justice Abu Bakarr King described the Ahmadiyya Mission as a disciplined institution, while Rev. Dr. Usman J. Fornah of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone called upon religious groups in the country to continue to reject the ‘Safe Abortion Bill’
Haja Alarie Cole said whosoever recites the ‘Kalima’ is a Muslim and that no Muslim has the right to judge or condemn another sect of Muslim.
Coordinator of the United Council of Muslim Women in Sierra Leone, Haja Memuna Conteh, described the conference as very educative, adding that the motto of the Jamaat, which is ‘Love for all and hatred for none’, was a foundation for peace.
Several speakers commended the Ahmadiyya Mission for hosting a well attended and very successful conference.