I am very honored to be part of the Annual Gathering of the Ahmaddiyya Muslim Jama'at in Sierra Leone. I am particularly impressed by the words on the cover of your invitation to the Jalsa: Love for All, Hatred towards None.

The Ahmadiyya Mission in this country has always demonstrated its adherence to this divine injunction. You have truly showed love towards all by educating persons without discrimination from all faiths, all ethnic groups, and all regions in this country. You have greatly exemplified love for all of God's servants by building hospitals and promoting peace and tolerance in our country. The Imams of the Muslim faith tell us that one of God's ninety beautiful names is al Waddud, He who has profound love for His creation. Your theme for this year's Jalsa is a testament to your fidelity to Allah. I am here to once again register the appreciation of Sierra Leone for the way you have demonstrated your fidelity to God's love for his creation.

https://allafrica.com/stories/201302120644.html

By State House Communication Unit

President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma on Friday 8 April 2016 attended the 54th Annual Conference of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Sierra Leone in the southern provincial city of Bo.

The Ahmadiyya Annual Conference with the theme: “Justice and Peace” was held to strengthen the brotherhood of Islam and to propagate the Islamic faith.

Addressing the conference, President Koroma seized the opportunity to thank the Ahmadiyya Mission for its vital role in the fight against the Ebola epidemic in the country. He referred to the conference as a general assessment and review of the activities of the mission nationwide and described the theme of the conference as very timely. “Justice is fundamental to peace,” he said.

 The president emphasized that there can be no peace without justice and that the efforts of the mission to providing education, health facilities, humanitarian assistance and the propagation of the Islamic faith in this part of the world is highly remarkable.

President Koroma urged parents, religious and political leaders to join efforts in addressing fundamental issues of violence and misconduct to foster peace, unity and development not only in the country, but the world as a whole; stressing that peace and discipline starts at home.

Being impressed with the discipline of the mission which was largely demonstrated at this year’s annual convention, President Koroma expressed hope that at the end of the three days conference, the mission would be able to come up with proposals to address issues that are adversely affecting the society, saying that even the mosques and churches have issues that are of hindrance to peace and unity.

Speaking on the activities of the Ahmadiyya Mission in Sierra Leone, Mayor Sunkarie Kabba Kamara of Makeni City Council informed that the Ahmadiyya Mission came to Sierra Leone far back as 1937, and had succeeded in building 201 primary schools, 61 secondary schools, 800 mosques and good number of hospitals across the country. With all these, the mayor said, are clear indications that the Ahmadiyya Mission is not only there to propagate Islam but also to provide social amenities as well as medical facilities.

 The Jasal Salana conference was honored by President Ernest Bai Koroma including ministers of state, Mayor of Bo city  and other  guests from different countries in Africa and beyond.

Speaking during the conference in Bo city,  President  Ernest Bai Koroma first congratulated the Ahmadiyya mission in Sierra Leone for their enormous contributions during the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country and also thanked them for capacitating the human resources  with medical equipment to fight the disease.

The President also elaborated on the commitments and disciplines the Ahmadiya mission has maintained since its establishment in the country by executing what he called, the values of Islam making reference to the theme of the Jasal Salana “justice and peace”. President koroma said that it is because of the existence of justice in the country, that is why there is peace  and therefore reminded Sierra Leoneans present  to continue to uphold  peace which he said other countries around the world lack.

A representative from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the world, Mr. Latif Ahmad spoke on the importance of the Jasal Salana conference and the blessings involved in it and  reminded Muslims to believe in Allah and the Holy prophet Muhammad (S.W.A) who he said was very obedient and steadfast in the course of Islam stressing that Islam is a peaceful religion in the world.

The Amir and Missionary in charge of the  Ahmadiya Muslim community in Sierra Leone Maulana Saeed Ur- Rahman thanked  President  Ernest Bai Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for recognizing their good work in the country promising that   they would continue their good work  at all times to  maintain religious tolerance in the country.

https://ayvnews.com/president-koroma-addresses-18000-muslims-in-bo-city/

Keynote Address by His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, 

at the 55th Annual Conference of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Bo, Sierra Leone – Friday 8 February 2019

Bismi Allahi Arahman Arahim

In the Name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful,

Amir and Missionary-in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Sierra Leone,
Distinguished Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at,

Honourable Vice President,

Honourable Ministers of Government,

Our Revered Paramount Chiefs,

Mayor of the Municipality of Bo,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Assalamu-Alaikum-wa-Rahmatullahi-wa- Barakatuhu

Good morning.

Let me begin by expressing my sincere thanks for the very warm welcome you have accorded me and my delegation. I also thank you personally for the invitation and the opportunity to be present at this annual national conference of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.

Kindly extend fraternal greetings and salutations from the Government and people of Sierra Leone to His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, worldwide head of the peaceful Ahmadiyya Muslim community. As a country, we would like to express our very profound appreciation to his leadership.

We wish to congratulate His Holiness for the tireless effort he has invested in establishing peace and brotherhood in the world. We have followed closely His Holiness’ “Pathway to Peace” international initiative that works toward achieving world peace through the teachings of Islam. Further, his World Peace Symposium since 2003 that advocates peaceful coexistence, and his inspirational book (The Path Way to Peace), speak to what the Ahmadiyya Mission in Sierra Leone has come to represent.  Additionally, his continuous messages of peace and interreligious harmony broadcast on your radio stations continue to re-affirm Sierra Leone’s fundamental values of peaceful religious co-existence and fraternity. As a country, we send His Holiness messages goodwill.

The Ahmadiyya mission has continued to remind us all that we are one, and of one Umma – a community of equals bound by Allah’s purpose. We are one because we continue being united by all the things that bind us together rather than those things that could blind us. We are bound by our common humanity and our faith that we can be better in the world, to the world, and to one another in every act of kindness and in every deed of compassion.

Two years from now, the Ahmadiyya mission would have been in Sierra Leone for one hundred years. It has been one hundred years of living in and sharing our Sierra Leone, your Sierra Leone in peace and harmony. Since Missionary Nayyar’s first public lecture at the Fourah Bay Mosque in 1921, followed by the pioneering missionary work of Nazir Ahmed Ali, the Ahmadiyya mission has continued to enrich lives from Mange Bureh to Rokupr, from Baomahun to Bo, from Freetown to Magburaka, and throughout Sierra Leone.

So let me commend the Ahmadiyya mission in Sierra Leone, first, in its focused efforts over the last nearly 100 years in investing in human capital development. Your mission aligns with my government’s core belief that by investing in education and training young persons, one gives them the opportunity to better themselves, their families, their communities, and their nation. I want to therefore recognise and formally commend your great investment in the intellectual, physical, spiritual, and moral well-being and training of millions of Sierra Leoneans. The Ahmadiyya Mission has built mosques, missionary training colleges, established radio stations to further spiritual education, and even translated the Holy Qurán into a local language. The mission has built two hundred and twelve (212) primary schools and sixty-four (64) secondary schools all over the country. It has built and staffed hospitals and several clinics in various communities and continues to provide affordable healthcare to hundreds of Sierra Leoneans.

We also thank the Ahmadiyya mission, the Ahmadiyya Jama’at, and related organisations for humanitarian interventions during our country’s hour of need during the Ebola scourge. Through Humanity First, the Ahmadiyya Mission contributed funds, held free medical camps, and trained volunteers to contribute to the nationwide sensitization campaign. The mission also supplied food and clothing to quarantined homes and cared for the welfare of Ebola orphans. By providing food, water, shelter, and clothing for the most vulnerable of our citizens, you have demonstrated again and again the power of compassion and kindness.

My Government also recognizes the Ahmadiyya mission’s partnership with our government in implementing various poverty alleviation schemes and other socio-economic activities. The housing schemes provided by the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers are remarkable pioneering ventures. The agricultural projects have helped enhance the skills of farmers, provided them with equipment, seed, and fertilizer, and thus contributed to national food security. Hygienic water wells continue to provide potable water for our citizens. Solar energy installations have provided electricity in more than 50 mosques. Free vocational IT training provides opportunity for the youth. What better ways to live up to the inspirational motto of the Ahmadiyya mission: “love for all hatred for none”? What better way to cater for the whole of the human being?

Let me conclude by affirming my Government’s staunch support for the mission and activities of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at. Your work in Sierra Leone has continued changing lives for the better for generations. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon each one of you throughout your deliberations at this 55th annual religious conference.

I thank you all.

https://statehouse.gov.sl/president-julius-maada-bio-addresses-the-55th-annual-conference-of-ahmadiyya-muslim-jamaat-in-bo-sierra-leone/

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Sierra Leone has concluded their 53rd Jalsa Salana Annual Conference in Bo Southern Sierra Leone.

The three day congregation which brought together thousands of Muslims from all over the country was held at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School grounds in Bo.

In his opening remarks, the Amir and Missionary in charge Maulana Saeed –Ur –Rahman said, the day marks another mile stone in the lives of the Muslim Jama’at in Sierra Leone and the world at large.

He noted that, the right of any individual is your Religion and that, every body has the right to belong to any religion of his or her choice.

Maulana Saeed- Ur-Rahman expressed thanks and appreciation to the Christians present for honoring their invitation adding that this has clearly exhibit religious tolerance.

He also expressed his profound gratitude to all those who came from far and wide to grace the August gathering and make it a success.

Making her statement on behalf of her colleague Mayors, the Mayor of the Makeni City Council Madam Sunkarie Kabba Kamara  said, she feels greatly honored and privilege to be present at this wonderful gathering, which display respect and fear for the Almight Allah in celebration for the 53rd Ahmadiyya Jalsa Salana  in Bo.

She revealed that, this reminds them of their responsibility to remain committed to serve God. Mayor Sunkarie Kabba Kamara expressed thanks to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at for organizing such a gathering and stressed the need for continuity.

She pointed out that, Sierra Leone is a religious tolerance state and pray that, the country will continue to enjoy this religious tolerance.

Responding, the secretary general of the inter religious council Dr Usman Fornah   thanked  the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at for the respect given to the inter religious dialogue especially for the promotion of religious tolerance in this country. They see the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at as a very perfect example of some body that promote religious tolerance in this country, which top officials from different denominations who are not part of the Amadis are present to grace the occasion.

Dr. Fornah also expressed  thanks to his Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for supporting the inter religious council in the promotion of religious tolerance in Sierra Leone.

He recalled that, very recently people came from the diaspora to recognized and commend the President for the promotion of religious tolerance, this he said has given courage to the inter religious council.

Delivering his keynote statement prior to the formal opening of the conference, His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma noted that, he is very elated to be present at such a gathering to continue in demonstrating their commitment on tolerance and service which the Ahmadiyya Mission is providing for this country.

He started by congratulating the leader of the Ahmadiyya Mission in the whole world and also the Amir and the Ahmadiyya Mission in Sierra Leone for the wonderful 53rd Annual conference in Bo. As a Government they are here to show that they are in partnership with them, and they supported what they have been doing over the years and believe that if this partnership continues they will reach their desired goal.

According to the president , as a mission they have been demonstrating things that shows that Islam is a religion of tolerance and Islam is for education, peace and a religion that does not promote extremism, and because all these things are in line with his government that is why he had make it a point of duty to attend the all important meeting and to also participate on it because a meeting of such nature is providing an opportunity to refresh their memories and go out with new commitment.

President Koroma revealed that, when people talk about tolerance in Islam is always there. He made reference to the holy prophet Muhammad( SAW)  that, when he returned to Mecca the people rejected him but that, he treated them with tolerance and compassion and that one he went on, help to convince another people to join Islam.

He admonished all and sundry to be tolerance and treat our fellow human beings with fairness, honesty, devotion and love.

Meaningful statements were delivered by Honourable Moijue Kaikai  Minister of social welfare gender and children’s affairs and Alhaji Fajire Deen president of the Sierra Leone Muslim congress among others.

Mohamed Saccoh

https://sierraexpressmedia.com/?p=65979