allAfrica.com: Liberia: Don't Sabotage Or Castigate Other Religions (Page 1 of 1)

As Muslims end the holy months of Ramandan, a Muslim cleric has cautioned Muslims against sabotaging or castigating other religious groups in the country.

The Grand Mufti of Liberia, Sheikh Abubakar M. Sumaworo, who delivered a special statement after the Ramanda prayers yesterday at the Providence Island in Monrovia, cautioned Muslims against engaging into hectic debate with individuals of other religion except they do so in what he called, "a beautiful manner."

Sheikh Sumawaro, who is also the Imam of the Gurley Street Mosque in Central Monrovia reminded Muslims that the Koran says they should not curse individuals of other religion and make statement that would anger those from other religion and make them to react in a way that would trigger misunderstanding.

The Muslim cleric, who led the yesterday Ramadan prayers said if Muslims do this, they might anger others and if those they anger take any action that may cause confusion, they (Muslims), would be held responsible.

He said Muslim who will engage in this act would be committing what he called, "Double Sins" and they would be held responsible for their own actions and the actions of the individual they have angered.

He further cautioned Muslims that if they find anyone from other religion insulting Islam, they should leave that person alone stressing, that Muslims should do this, not to disturb the peace.

He said Muslims should leave those who will insult Islam along not because they are weak but just to protect the peace and promote peaceful co-existence in the interest of the nation until such an individual realize their mistake.

Sheikh Sumaworo also reminded Muslins that in keeping with their religion, Islam teaches them how to advocate for their right, stressing that if Muslims want to request for their rights in keeping with their faith, they should do so in a peaceful manner.

Speaking on how a peaceful approach can be followed in the advocacy of a Muslim right, Sheikh Sumaworo named dialogue which, he said must be observed gradually with concentration until the other party can be convinced to grant such rights.

At the end of the Holy Months of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the country gathered at various places to offer special prayers to Allah, for the peace, reconciliation and prosperity of the nation in general.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Caucus yesterday met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia as part of the observance to end the Holy Month of Ramadan. During the meeting, the Muslim leaders speaking through Mr. Kumoi Soko Sackor commended the President for standing with the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

He told the President that there are still some problems in the Lofa and Nimba areas involving the Muslims community.

He stressed that because of this, majority of them have not been able to return home and are celebrating the Holy month out of their proper localities. He made specific references to Saclepia, Ganta and Saniquillie.

Mr. Sackor urged the President to intervene in the problem because as he put it, they want to return home and celebrate the next year Ramadan in these areas.

Also speaking, Miss Mamaka Sannoh praised President Sirleaf for taking up her time of her busy schedule to celebrate the end of Ramanda with her Muslim brothers and sisters.

She said this behavior on the part of the President shows unity, peace and tolerance among the people of the nation.

Responding, President Sirleaf said she was with the Muslims because it is an obligation for her to do so.

The Liberian leader informed the Muslims leaders that her parents (Mother and father) were all Christians but her uncle, who was a Paramount Chief and all those from his side, were devoted Muslims from Bomi County.

President Sirleaf added that despite of the different background the two sides from which her father came, they worked and prayed together, stressing that one thing that was clear among them, is that they were all Liberians entitled to all rights and privileges, which the constitution of the nation grants to all citizens.

She commended the Muslim community for fasting and praying for the nation's unity and reconciliation during the just ended Holy Month of Ramadan.

She said the challenges of the nation are many and commended all those who have given her the responsibility to lead emphasizing that the big responsibility given her could not be left to only her. And as such, everyone needs to be focused to uplift the country.

President Sirleaf told the Muslim leaders that the country has a wonderful opportunity to get back on track and make sure that there are equal opportunities and development for all and make sure that Liberians would never go back to war; division and animosity as well as all those things that have kept the nation underdeveloped and impoverished the nation.

The President then, appealed to the Muslim community to stand with her to promote peace, harmony and help to make Liberians to realized that the nation just can not allow the opportunity it now has to develop and move ahead to slip bye adding, "The World is ready to help Liberia makeup for the many years of destruction and destitution but Liberians have to be ready for themselves."

web allafrica.com	Enter your search terms	Submit search form
OR subscribers use AllAfrica's premium search engine

Relevant Links

Relevant Links

Liberia

at a Glance

Today's Most Active Stories