The University of Makeni (UNIMAK) Muslim Jamaat has started the construction of a mosque in Yelisanda.

This construction marks an immense effort to facilitate Muslim students at the University of Makeni to perform prayers in congregation while on campus.

After its construction, the mosque will become the first permanent place of worship for Muslim students at the university, ending the temporary host the administration plays during Ramadan.

In an interview with Sierraloaded, the President of the Jamaat, Demba Mohamed Kamara, said they had always yearned for a permanent place of their own where they can meet and strengthen their faith, adding that the masjid construction project is a fulfilment of the dreams his predecessors had.

Speaking about the funding, Kamara said they raised money through donations and a fundraising dinner that was held in May this year.

While expressing gratitude to their donors, he appreciated the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Bio, for making a donation of 250 bags of cement and pledging Le 500,000.

The construction started with more than 3,000 bricks and a few bags of cement. The Jamaat said that they are still seeking to help from the public to complete the structure sooner.