– As they renew campaign for National Holiday
By Jerromie S. Walters
Less than a week after the climax of the Holy Month Of Ramadan, Islamic leaders in Liberia have reawakened the long-pushed Islamic holiday campaign, as they said it’s about time the Boakai-Koung leadership look in said direction. Islam in Liberia is practiced by over 12.2% of the population. It’s also the second most practiced religion in the country.
On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, leaders of the Islamic faith held a special prayer for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the nation, in observance of the end of the month of Ramadan. At said occasion, the Political Leader of the All Liberian Coalition (ALCOP), Lusinee F. Kamara didn’t munch his words on emphasizing the need for an Islamic holiday in Liberia. Historic facts can reveal that this is a quest that has been flagged for decades in Liberia. However, many have argued that even Christians don’t have a special holiday in Liberia because Christmas is celebrated globally as a national holiday.
Howbeit, Mr. Lusinee F. Kamara says inclusiveness is visible in Mr. Boakai’s government as more Muslims have been appointed than previous governments. He also referenced the distribution of cash and kind, as well as other events that have been held for Muslims which the President has attended. However, he noted that they are still anticipating more. This brings in the long-flagged Islamic holiday campaign.
Kamara: “We still want you to do more, we want planting. All around here today, in most of the world, Ramadan is being celebrated, even right in the Mano River countries, most part ofWest Africa, today is a holiday, today is a holiday but as I said, it’s happening small small. We are praying that during this administration, Muslims will come here again to say Mr. President thank you so much, we are now celebrating Ramadan as a national holiday. We are praying for that. Isha Allah and everything come from God. One day, we will say God thank you.”
He continues, “Our forefathers have been praying for this, and this is nothing new, it is all around here. In Freetown it’s a holiday, Guana, it’s a holiday, Nigeria it’s a holiday. Most of Africa, and we think it’s about time that the coexistence that we are talking that we can personalize that aspect of it.”
Undoubtedly, Mr. Lusinee F. Kamara is not in this alone, as also on Wednesday 10, April 2024, during the special Ramadan Prayer held at Benson street mosque, Imam Mohammed Adubullah Sheriff mentioned that the Muslim community has been denied by the national government when it comes to granting them national holidays for the observance of Ramadan and Abraham Day.
He said they are becoming exhausted and if the government fails to act in the next few years, they will declare the days as national holidays, and their fellow believers will adhere to it. He’s convinced that they have what it takes to make their days national holidays, considering their strength in the business space.
At Monday’s event at the Executive Mansion Parlor, Islamic leaders offered prayers for President Boakai and the nation. They seek God’s intervention to lead the president as he stair the affairs of the state.
Meanwhile, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai embraced the spiritual gesture of the religious leaders. He committed his government to standing with the Muslim Community, in promoting peace and togetherness. He emphasized The need for religious tolerance and commended Muslims in Liberia for their continued support and prayer for the peace process of the country.
“We thank Allah for bringing you through these tense thirty days; let’s come together because we are one country, one people, and one destiny,” the Liberian Leader congratulated Muslims for Praying for Liberia and applauded them for being committed to their quest of pleading God’s mercy for their country during the entire fast month.Mr. Boakai stressed the Need for unity amongst Muslims so that together they can contribute to making Liberia a better place.
As efforts have always been made toward ensuring unity among Muslims and Liberians, the Islamic elders at the occasion said earlier efforts were not asserted with sincerity. “Let it be based on genuine love and unity.” They acknowledged that as earlier assured by the President of having an inclusive government, his government is sincerely inclusive.
Muslims have followed a relaxed and liberal form of Islam that is heavily influenced by indigenous religions that were integrated into Islam when it came to Liberia in the 16th century with the collapse of the Songhai Empire in Mali. Islamic religious practices vary in cities and towns across the country. Younger Liberian Muslims, particularly in the cities along the coast, tend to be more secular but still practice Islam in everyday life. In rural areas, Liberian Muslims are more conservative in dressing modestly, performing prayers and attending religious studies
