By Laurina B Lormia
(Cub-Reporter)
The Chairperson of the Board of Imam Council of Liberia, Mohammed A. Sheriff, says Muslims across the country will create their own holidays by shutting down their businesses, since the government and policymakers have refused to give them holidays.
On the contrary, the Chief Imam of the Benson Street Central Mosque said, they will remain peaceful citizens of this country, even though all the past and present governments refused to give them the two national holidays they requested for.
“Without them giving us Ramadan and Abraham Day, we can create our own Ramadan Day by stopping all of our businesses and cars from running across the country,” he said.
Delivering his sermon at the Benson Street Central Mosque, Wednesday, April 10, following the climax and breaking of the holy month of fast and prayer, Imam Sheriff said past and present governments have failed to provide Liberian Muslims with two days of national holidays, and Muslims are being treated as second-class citizens across the country, noting that Muslims pay the highest taxes but they make no use of their taxes.
“In other countries with large Muslim populations, it is normally a public holiday, with most schools and businesses closed for the day. Practices differ by country and region, but politicians continue to use Muslims across the country by telling those stories to vote for them, but when they are voted into power, they turn their backs on the Muslim Community and ignore their plight,” Sheriff said.
He stressed that they will remain peaceful and law-abiding citizens, and they are proud of that, while urging Muslims to continue to engage the national government and co-exist.
“Despite being frustrated of not getting those holidays after crying and appealing, this is the short message and prayer for our country as we climax our fast and prayers today. We pray for our country and leaders, and citizens, both Muslims and Christians. We remain citizens of this country, nowhere to go, and nowhere can they deport us,” he concluded.
However, the Grand Mufti of Liberia, Sheik Abubakar Sumaoro, reiterated calls for unity among Muslims in Liberia.
He commended for them to be united during the holy month of Ramadan, saying that this year’s fasting and supplications to Allah were indeed successful because they carried out the process by exercising commitment according to the instructions of Prophet Muhammad, as well as providing humanitarian services to the needy.
The Grand Mufti delivered his Ramadan Message at the Gurley Street Mosque yesterday said, the Muslim Community is approximately 30 percent of the population of Liberia that is comprised of some ethnic groups like Vai, Mandingo, as well as Fula and Gola, amongst others, and so there is a need for them to be given political rights because since the country’s Independence, past governments have not been able to do so.
“We are appealing to President N. Boakai’s Government, including future governments, to please give us at least 30 percent ministerial appointments and other positions in government. Our children have learnt and are also qualified to occupy positions in government,” he pointed out.
The Grand Mufti further encouraged the audience to continue advocating for their rights, as that is the only way it would be given, as he urged them to continue seeking Allah’s intervention.
