By: Aaron Bundu Lahai-Head of Media & Public Relations
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh-Vice President of Sierra Leone has on Friday 14th January, 2022 opened the newly constructed mosque at the Jui OSD Police Barracks in the Western Rural District. Vice President Jalloh appealed to Muslims especially those with financial earnings in Sierra Leone to provide support to Imams, adding that jamaats should provide all necessary supports especially finance to Imams that will free them from suffering and starvation. He expressed dissatisfaction over the greediness of some Muslims that have been blessed by Allah but refused to reciprocate their blessings to Imams who used their time and energy to lead the jamaat in prayers, citing Muslims in Mali who allocate their earnings to support Islamic leaders.
The Honourable Vice President informed the audience that he was at the ceremony as Government Focal Person in charge of religious affairs and responsible for Hajj committee, and as Chairman of the Sierra Leone Police Council. He thanked the Al-Huda Foundation on behalf the police council and the Government of Sierra Leone for the construction of the new mosque, stressing Government of Sierra Leone appreciation and gratitude for the work. He said that President Bio was in Blue Crescent Office in Abu Dhabi last year to thanks and express gratitude for the support given to Al-Huda Foundation, noting that the representation of President Bio to the Blue Crescent Office shows his appreciation of the good work the Foundation is doing in Sierra Leone.
The importance for the mosque’s construction goes beyond divine relevance, due to the emergence of communities as a result of the construction of mosques, Dr. Jalloh articulated. Vice President Jalloh explained that new mosques create communities known as jamaats and families, furthering the jamaats help their members in terms of weeding, funeral, sickness, naming ceremony and other activities. He articulated the strong social significance of jamaats in terms of negotiating opportunities in the mosques, citing the easy manner in which hajj tickets are negotiated by jamaats without confusion and fight.
The outspoken Vice President appealed to the police leadership in the barracks to look after the mosques. “It is the responsibility of the police to manage effectively the affairs of the mosque” he stated, he called on the jamaat to maintenance damage properties in the mosque. “It is the responsibility of the jamaat to manage the resources in the mosque” he told the police.
Vice President Jalloh encouraged Muslims to train their children in an Islamic manner, adding that the survival of Islam depends on Muslims. He assured Al-Huda Foundation of Government continue support to the organization.
Dr. Ramadan Jalloh while giving an over view of the Foundation, stated that the Foundation was formed in January 2013 by Sierra Leoneans who have studied in Universities around the world. He explained that one of the projects the organization embarked on with individual membership support was the construction of the Al-Huda Mosque Calaba Town in Freetown. He said with financial supports they have received from friendship with people they met while studying abroad, the Foundation implemented few projects such as schools, mosques and bore holes across Sierra Leone. He reiterated that through Sierra Leone Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh the Foundation signed the first contract, he informed about the implementation of over two thousand projects across the country including the construction of clinics, mosques. Schools, bore holes among others. He concluded by explaining the meaning of Al-Huda as guidance in Arabic.
Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh-Sierra Leone Ambassador to Saudi Arabia encouraged members of the Foundation to institutionalise and not personalise the organisation. He highlighted the relevance of the mosque to the security forces, noting that prayer is important to the forces, because it serves as a spiritual link with Allah. Ambassador Jalloh elaborated that with the help and guidance of Allah, the security forces will be able to discharge their duties effectively. The programme was climaxed with the official opening of the mosque by Vice President Jalloh.