By Foday Jalloh
Muslims in Sierra Leone was on Sunday 9 July 2023 gathered in a colorful ceremony, Freetown City Hall, in remembrance of the holy prophet Muhammad work during and after his lifetime in Mecca and Madina at the time he was sent by Allah (God) to propagate the Holy Quran.
The event was organized by Ahlul Bayat Servant Mission and the Al – Cultural Foundation attracted Islamic scholars in Sierra Leone, women, children, young and aged.
The ceremony took the form of lectures delivered by Ambassador, Republic of Iran, His Excellency Sayid Khalil and various Islamic scholars.
Ambassador Sayid Khalil, during his lecture disclosed he is happy to be a Sierra Leoneans and thanked Muslims for their participation in the just concluded multi-tier elections.
He prayed for continues peace and respect for authority, especially so when leadership comes from the Almighty Allah.
Muslims should always show respect for their leaders, just like Prophet Muhammad, who was appointed by Allah to foster the doctrine of Islam using the Holy Quarn, Ambassador Khalil
He told Muslims that the twenty-three (23) years of service of Prophet Muhammad in mecca and Madina, Allah gave him a successor to continue the Islamic mission.
The Ambassador therefore noted, the Islamic Shair mission is an Islamic mission that is all over the world to preach the good news of Islam.
He continued, Sahidna Alia was chosen as a successor to Prophet Muhammad, who he noted was not a prophet but a mere messenger (Imam).
He defined an Imam as an individual who has search for knowledge and teaches others about his knowledge already acquired.
During the Key note address, Secretary General Ahlul Bayt Servant mission Sierra Leone, Sheik Ibrahim Bah, highlighted the said event is an annual event in observance of Imam Alie’s , the first ever imam in Mecca, for his role played during the fight against the ‘Kafiri’.
According to Islamic history, Imam Alie was the only servant together with 12 others who were among the thousands of followers of the prophet that confronted the Kafris, that he said the holy Quran referred to as powerful leaders.
Before his appointment as Imam, prior to the death of Prophet Mohammed, Allah revealed through Prophet Gibrilla to appoint Imam Alie to continue his Islamic doctrine.
Sheik Rahim Bah further noted that Thursday was the day when Imam Alie got his appointment to continue the Islamic journey.
Rahim Bah narrated that the twelve disciples that were behind Prophet Muhammad were anticipating that among them will be emerged as the successor.
Imam Alie was appointed exhibited among gatherings, he said.
Other speakers at the event include Sheik Alimamy Sesay, Proprietor, Imam Sadiq Mission, Sheik AlimaJustice Abubakarr of AL-Mustafa International University, sheik Alie M. Sesay, Justice Abubakarr King , Islamic forum .
Chairlady for the AL –Zainabiyaat women Sierra Leone, Madam Haja Yemah, spoke on the role and why it is important as Muslims to observe that the day the Holy Prophet appointed Imam Alie as successor after his demise.
Prior to the event, Sheik Muhamed Sahid Jalloh and Sheik Muhammad Musa Barrie were confirmed as Imams, after they has faithful gained the Islamic knowledge at the Freetown Central Mosque by Sheik Abdul –Rahman Bah in the capacity as Chief Imam.
Commissioning the Imams, the Chief imam offered his blessing to the two newly Imams stating they can now go out and propagate the Islamic believes as member of the Shair Islamic Mission while assuring them of their support at all times.
