𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞.
𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐖 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞, 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of Sierra Leone, has convened a second dialogue and engagement meeting as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the long-standing coexistence and peace between #Christians and #Muslims in #SierraLeone. It could be recalled that just a few days ago, the Ministry convened a similar emergency interfaith meeting, which resulted in a public apology from a Muslim cleric over controversial statements regarding #Christmas celebrations. The second meeting was specifically called to address public concern over social media videos from another prominent Muslim cleric, Sheikh Abdulai Bah, who reportedly issued similar condemnations against interfaith celebration and sharing of meals. The meeting brought together religious leaders and community representatives to address concerns arising from these statements, which were widely viewed as unfortunate and capable of undermining national harmony.
Participants reflected on the country’s history of #religioustolerance, emphasising that despite belonging to different faiths and traditions, Sierra Leoneans have always lived, worked, married, and celebrated together in peace, with a shared commitment to return home safely and happily as one people.
Speaking during the engagement, the President of the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL), Reverend Henry Abioseh Samuels, reaffirmed that religious tolerance is deeply rooted in the nation’s identity. He noted that families across the country often include both Christians and Muslims, a reality that has strengthened unity rather than division.
Reverend Samuels emphasised that religion should never be used as a tool for division, reminding participants that forgiveness, dialogue, and mutual respect are fundamental teachings shared by all faiths. He commended the Ministry for providing an open forum to address grievances and called on the public and the media to continue promoting messages that foster peace and national cohesion.
On behalf of the Inter-Religious Council, Sheikh Ibrahim Barrie underscored the council’s unwavering commitment to sustained dialogue as the cornerstone of peaceful coexistence. He noted that continuous engagement among faith leaders remains vital to addressing misunderstandings, promoting mutual respect, and safeguarding the nation’s long-standing harmony. He reaffirmed that unity across religious lines is essential for national stability and social cohesion.
Sheikh Abdulai Bah offered an unequivocal apology to the nation for any statements that may have caused offence or misunderstanding. He stressed that they were unintentional and did not reflect his lifelong message of peace, unity, and respect, while reaffirming his commitment to fostering harmony and strengthening coexistence among all communities.
Addressing the gathering, 𝐌𝐫𝐬. 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲 – 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 reaffirmed the government’s #zerotolerance for hate speech and religious intolerance. She stressed that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of worship, it does not permit words or actions that create division or threaten peace.
She disclosed plans to strengthen policy frameworks, legislation, and public awareness campaigns on religious tolerance, calling on all Sierra Leoneans to jealously guard the nation’s hard-won peace and continue to project unity and harmony as a shining example to the world.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭:
𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚, 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫
+𝟐𝟑𝟐 𝟕𝟐 𝟓𝟑𝟕 𝟎𝟑𝟓 | 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦.𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫.𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐰@𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐜.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐬𝐥