A recent social media video, made by Sheikh Abubakarr warning Muslims of hellfire risk for Christmas celebrations, has generated widespread backlash, but the controversy deepened when Leone Stars goalkeeper, Mohamed N’balie Kamara, alias Fabianski, publicly supported the cleric’s statement.

In the video, Sheikh Abubakarr stressed that Islam prohibits Muslims from participating in Christmas celebrations, as it is a Christian holiday rooted in beliefs contrary to Islamic doctrine. He cited the Qur’anic verse: “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion” (Qur’an 109:6), arguing that Muslims should maintain clear religious boundaries.

Kamara, a well-known figure in Sierra Leone, has come under fire for backing the imam’s comments. The goalkeeper argued that the backlash against the cleric’s statement was misguided and that the imam’s message had been misrepresented. Kamara, in a public statement, insisted that the remarks were accurate according to Islamic teachings and that public reactions mocking the imam amounted to provocation of Islamic beliefs.

The video and Kamara’s support have sparked strong reactions from both religious scholars and the public. Several Islamic organisations and scholars have criticised the idea that celebrating Christmas automatically condemns Muslims to Hell. They stressed that such matters of final judgment are ultimately in the hands of Allah, not human beings.

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A statement from one Islamic group referenced the Qur’anic verse: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills” (Qur’an 4:48), arguing that only Allah can determine a person’s fate in the afterlife.

Islamic scholars also pointed out that Islamic teachings place a significant emphasis on the intention behind actions. They referred to a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will be rewarded according to what he intended” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). This suggests that participation in Christmas, if not done for religious reasons, should not be viewed as an act of worship.

Despite the criticism, supporters of the imam, including Kamara, argue that the cleric’s intention was to guide Muslims in upholding the integrity of their faith, not to incite division. They contend that religious leaders have a duty to clarify Islamic teachings, even when their views are unpopular.

As the debate continues, the Sierra Leone Government and key authorities have called for responsible communication from public figures and religious leaders, warning that such disputes could undermine Sierra Leone’s reputation for peaceful interfaith coexistence.