By Bill W. Cooper
Liberia’s Central Mosque, popularly known as the ‘Benson Street Mosque’, has rejected accusations linking the mosque to endorsing the reelection of President George M. Weah in the upcoming October 10, Presidential and Legislative elections.
The Chief Imam of the Mosque, Mohammed A. Sheriff, further clarified that at no point in time did the mosque ever endorse the second term bid of President Weah or CDC, as speculated in many quarters.
Imam Sheriff’s clarification came following President Weah and his entourage’s visit to the mosque last week Friday, August 4, 2023, to offer prayers to God for the country’s peace and safe elections, a visit that has since sparked up speculations among the citizenry.
During the President’s visit to the mosque, banners and images of President Weah were seen on the mosque, which flooded social media, a situation that also gained attraction, with many accusing the mosque of endorsing the Liberian leader’s reelection bid.
But Chief Imam Mohammed A. Sheriff, in an interview with IPNEWS, asserted that the President’s visit was in concert with an earlier request to the mosque to join other Muslims to offer prayers to ‘Allah,’ for peace, unity, and stability into campaign season for the ensuing October 10 polls.
According to him, the banner and other pictures that were placed on the mosque to officially welcome the Liberian leader were never done by him or the authorities of the Mosque, but rather, by supporters of the President, without their approval.
He explained, “The Chief Imam of the Central Mosque of Liberia and the entire congregation, categorically condemn the placement of a banner on the mosque, in the name of welcoming President Weah to the mosque on Friday, August 4, 2023.”
“We as leaders of the mosque take serious exception and condemn this act by the President’s supporters, because our religion, Islam, does not permit the use of image in sacred areas” he noted.
Imam Sheriff also registered his regrets about the incident and openly apologized for the hanging of the banner and images of President Weah at the mosque during his visit, but reiterated that they have not endorsed the President’s reelection ambition.
He also clarified that they have not and will never endorse the presidential bid of any political candidate or party, because as religious leaders, they are there to work with all politicians and provide guidance and direction, both spiritually and physically, as required by Allah.
He further asserted that the duty of the religious community, especially the Imam and pastors, is to offer prayers for the country and ensure that the country is on the good path, providing direction and opportunity for all.
“We cannot endorse any standard bearer or candidate, not even President Weah or anyone, because we don’t have the authority to make him President. More to that, it’s against our religion. The mosque is a worship site, not a place to endorse anyone, so we can never do that” he added.
Imam Sheriff then assured the country and the Muslim community that such happening of placing images on the mosque by visitors will never happen again, as the mosque remains a place for prayer and worship.
