๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ-๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐, ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐
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 countryโs 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 nationโs 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 councilโs 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 nationโs 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, ๐๐ซ๐ฌ. ๐๐๐ฅ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ โ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ reaffirmed the governmentโs #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 nationโs hard-won peace and continue to project unity and harmony as a shining example to the world.
๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ญ:
๐๐๐ฅ๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐, ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ
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