His Excellency Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai in recognition of the Ramadan Ifta brought together Sierra Leone diaspora Muslims and Christians to celebrate as a family.

“The month of Ramadan is a very important month in the Islamic religion, and Sierra Leone being a religious tolerant country, we have decided to bring our Muslim brothers and sisters to break bread together on this important day of Ifta. We also have Christians on this table to break Ifta with us because our country has enjoyed the unique nature of religious tolerance ”, Ambassador Wai said, noting that the Embassy was not able to host and observe Ifta last year because of the COVID -19 pandemic.

Immam Alhaji Teslim Alghali recognized the presence of the Ahmaddiya Mission Imam Luqman who was joining the Sierra Leone diaspora for the first time for Ifta celebration. “ I am very grateful that we have Rev. David Vandi with us to celebrate Ifta in this month of Ramadan. Sierra Leone is a blessed country, and we will continue enjoying religious tolerance. Last year, we missed celebrating Ifta with the Embassy but thanks to Allah we have gathered here today to pray together as a people that have migrated to the United States.”, Immam Teslim Alghali observed. He therefore called on Alhaji Kasalieu Macauley to lead the prayers for Sierra Leone and her people.

Alhaji Macauley started by thanking Allah for making it possible for them to meet together at the Embassy to celebrate Ifta. He recited dua for the President Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, and the people of Sierra Leone for Allah’s protection. He said fasting is to tame man’s inner desire. “Fasting is spiritual, and man by nature is weak so it is Allah’s direction for man to observe fasting. If one fast sincerely for the sake of Allah, all sins would be forgiven “, Alhaji Macauley noted. He admonished all Muslims to go into seclusion, fast and pray to Allah , and to be charitable, and have sympathy for one another. He stressed that Muslims should learn to forgive, and to share zakatufitri.

Rev. David Vandi gave a solidarity message, reminding all that Sierra Leone is a very unique country that is exporting religious tolerance to other countries. “ Before I became a Pastor, I had the conviction that I have to respect other religions “, Rev David Vandi said. He implored on all the Sierra Leone diaspora hosted by the Embassy for Ifta to continue working together as a family.

Sheik Sufian Cole concluded that Fasting is a commandment from God, and that Ramadan is a time for peace and harmony.

Also present at the Embassy Ifta celebration was the Togolese Ambassador to the United States , His Excellency Frederick Hegbe.