Bo May 15 (SLENA) -Vice President Alhaji Chief Sam Sumana has disclosed Government’s desire to offer scholarships to one intending pilgrim from each of the 149 chiefdoms across the country.
Making the disclosure at the second annual National Delegate Conference of United Council of Imams in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone, the Vice President said the hajj scholarship would be a gift from the President and government as part of government’s continued support towards the promotion of Islam in the country.
He assured the jam packed hall of Imams that government would do all it could to address the problems associated with the hajj, adding that efforts are under way to secure a bus and an ambulance to ease the traveling difficulties for the pilgrims.
While dilating on the theme of the conference “The future of Islam in Sierra Leone and the Role of Imams in building it”, the Vice President described the theme as timely as both political and religious leaders are partners in leadership who have a complementary role to play in serving humanity.
He called on the Imams to translate the Holy Quran in the right way and refrain from in-fighting as leadership comes from God. He appealed to the Imams to assist the government in rebranding the country and stressed on the importance of prayers that will lead a country to a positive direction.
The Vice President noted that Sierra Leone is being admired for its religious tolerance where Muslims and Christians celebrate and observe each other’s religious events.
The Vice President used the occasion to condemn the manner of dress by some women especially the girl child which, according to him, is not good in a decent society like Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the occasion, President, Council of Imams, Alhaji Y.D. Kamara commended the Vice President for gracing the occasion at a short notice which he said is a sign of respect not only for Islam but for humanity as well.
Also to speak at the conference are regional Imams including the host Paramount Chief of Kakua Chiefdom, Chief Prince Boima.
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Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
