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Dr. Sylvia Blyden, a former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, has issued a forceful public statement condemning a controversial video of an Islamic cleric’s sermon and urging national authorities to prevent religious intolerance from taking root in Sierra Leone.
The statement, released on Christmas Day, is a direct response to a widely circulated video in which a Muslim scholar declared that any Muslim who celebrates Christmas “will go to hell.” The sermon has ignited intense debate online regarding religious freedom and interfaith harmony in the nation.
Blyden stated she would not reshare the “shocking Hate-Filled video” to avoid amplifying its message, but confirmed she has drawn the attention of key authorities to its existence.
These include Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, current Social Welfare Minister Melrose Karminty, the Supreme Islamic Council, the United Council of Imams, the Muslim Missionaries Union, and the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone.
In her lengthy post, Blyden framed the issue as a critical national threat, invoking the insurgency of Boko Haram in Nigeria as a cautionary tale. “The crisis facing Christians in Nigeria today… did not just start. It crept insidiously into the fabric of that great Nation,” she wrote, adding that Sierra Leone must act swiftly to preserve its “over a century of peaceful religious tolerance.”
To underscore the importance of this tradition, Blyden highlighted examples of interfaith harmony within the country’s leadership, citing President Julius Maada Bio, a Christian, and First Lady Fatima Bio, a Muslim, celebrating each other’s religious festivities. She also recalled the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, a Muslim, celebrating with his Christian wife, Patricia Kabbah.
Linking her call to action to her own legacy, Blyden referenced her famous ancestor, Reverend Dr. Edward Wilmot Blyden, a Christian theologian who helped build mosques and promote Islamic education in the 19th century. She also shared a personal anecdote from her time in government, displaying a photo of herself holding a copy of the Quran gifted to her by Islamic leaders in 2016.
“It is against that unimpeachable record that I am now calling on the Government of Sierra Leone and our Religious Leaders to take all necessary actions to nip in the bud what that unfortunate video seeks to do,” Blyden stated. “A stitch in time saves nine.”
The sermon that prompted Blyden’s intervention has polarized public opinion. While some social media users defended the cleric’s right to interpret Islamic doctrine, which generally prohibits participation in other religions’ festivals, many others criticized the comments as divisive and disrespectful.
This is ab unfortunate statement . It is out of content. Where is the love this people are talking about
Listen carefully the said Muslims. Why action,haa haa.
Please let her talk something else are you not seeing your pastors talking about Islam, I am not saying the brother is right for saying they are going to hell
But Christmas is not for Muslims it is not our celebration
The sermon was not to create religious intolerance but rather to bring awareness to Muslim brothers and sisters on the rightful practices of Islam, so there should be no action to be taken here blyden
If it’s the truth let it be said.
He is obviously preaching to Muslims, and like she said an action must be taken, yes she is right, but rather a good action for his fight towards Jihad.
Congratulations madam Sylvia blyden,
Highly respected ma, you happen to be my mentor always when it comes to politics, but honestly you put me off after reading all your write up.
I hope you listen to the video very well the sheikh/Iman said MUSLIMS not Christian who celebrates Christmas will definitely go to hell, even the curt of law will not hold him responsible because the man have proofs from both the QURAN and HADITH.
Christian also have the same perception when it’s comes to eid day. So why all this intervention of Dr VP, minister, Madam first lady Fatima bio, besides the man was preaching to Muslim not Christian and everyone have right to practice various religious right.
Now you’re calling for war by drawing the attention of people to video besides the Christmas still went well no riots or fight or protest….. So why all this intervention or comment