Muslim’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abubakar Sumaworo, has alarmed over the emerging Shia presence in Africa, and entreated the Muslim community to vehemently resist same from having its grip in the country.
He said any attempt by the Shia Islamic group to infiltrate Liberia’s Muslim Community has the propensity to unleash its detriment here and stall peace in Liberia.
The Islamic scholar and moderate advocate for the rights of Muslims in the country made the utterance yesterday at the Heritage Mosque on Gurley Street in Monrovia when he delivered his sermon climaxing the month-long festivity of Ramadan.
According to Sheikh Sumaworo, Shia Muslims are trouble-makers and a body that seeks to instill violence and destabilize countries or constituted authorities under the pretext of protecting Islam.
One case in point, Grand Mufti noted, is the Federal Republic of Nigeria where Shia Muslims caused havoc and got even with people who opposed them with impunity.
“This is why I am calling on Liberian Muslims and Government of Liberia to ensure that Shia does not infiltrate the nation,” the Grand Mufti stressed.
At the same time, the Muslim cleric described this year’s ending of Ramadan as a successful one, because the celebration was held in oneness as all Muslims resolved to climax the month’s event with togetherness.
In another development, Sheikh Abubakar Sumaworo reiterated his call to the Government of Liberia (GoL) to make the Holy Month of Ramadan or Eid Al-Fitr and Abraham Day National Holidays just as the Late President Joseph J. Roberts declared Christmas a national holiday without legislation.
He hailed President George Weah of assuring the Muslim Community that he will lobby to ensure that Muslims here get said respect and recognition.
As 2023 general and presidential elections draw near, the Office of the Grand Mufti of Liberia has warned all Imams to keep the Mosques holy and free of politicking.
He said Imams should not use the Mosques to propagate the political agenda of politicians to sway Muslims from worshiping and propagating the true essence of Islam in Liberia.
Islam in Liberia is practiced by an estimated 12.2 percent of the population and that the vast majority of Liberian Muslims are Malikite Sunni, with sizeable Shia and Ahmadiyya minorities.
The primary Muslim ethnic groups are the Vai and Mandingo but also Gbandi, Kpelle and other ethnic groups.
Historically, Liberian Muslims have followed a relaxed and liberal form of Islam that is heavily influenced by indigenous religions that were integrated into Islam when it came to Liberia in the 16th century with the collapse of the Songhai Empire in Mali.
Islamic religious practices vary in cities and towns across the country. Younger Liberian Muslims, particularly in the cities along the coast, tend to be more secular but still practice Islam in everyday life.
In rural areas, Liberian Muslims are more conservative in dressing modestly, performing prayers and attending religious studies.
The practice of Islam in Liberia has been compared to Islam common in Senegal and Gambia, with strong orientation toward Sufism.
The major Islamic holidays, Eid el Fitr, Ramadan and Eid al Adha, called Tabaski Day, are celebrated annually in Liberia.
People have begun to go on Hajj to Mecca in recent years. Joint English-Arabic language, Quranic, and Muslim universities and Islamic studies schools have opened and been rebuilt in the capital Monrovia, rural towns and other cities.
Islam appears to be experiencing revival alongside Christianity in the country as a result of the Liberian Civil War. America-Liberian Methodists, the first Christians in Liberia and arrived on January 7, 1822.