The United Council of Imams (UCI) and the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) over the weekend formally presented Alhaji Amadu Alpha Bah as Imam of the Dama Road mosque, and the new acting regional chief Imam in the eastern region.
Presenting the new regional chief Imam to the Paramount chief of Nongowa chiefdom Kenema district, PC Alhaji Amara Bonya Vangahun, the Kenema district deputy chief Imam Alhaji Sheik Ibrahim Amin Conteh said the institution of council of Imams was reorganized in 2004 under the then president of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, where the national president was charged with the constitutional mandate to give certificate of accreditation to chiefdoms, districts and regional Imams to act in various capacities across the country.
Alhaji Sheik Ibrahim Amin Conteh further stated that the constitution also mandated the deputy of the regional body to step in during the absence of the appointed chief Imam. It could be recalled that the substantive regional chief Imam in Eastern region. Sheik Alhaji Gibril S. Kamara passed away some few months ago, after a long illness and there has been a tussle as to who will succeed him. Some Muslims scholars strongly believed that the appointed deputy to the late chief Imam, Alhaji Ahmed Alpha Bah though he was out on sick leave will continue to do the work as the acting regional chief Imam, as the constitution states.
In his response, the Paramount chief of Nongowa Chiefdom P.C Alhaji Amara Bonya Vangahun in his wisdom, advised the Muslim Jamaat not to actually rush in appointing another chief Imam, adding that they will all come together to resolve the impasse.
Meanwhile, the paramount chief advised the council to allow Sheik Ahmadu Alpha Bah to be acting in the capacity of regional chief Imam until they all come together and settle the matter peacefully adding that there is a letter on the appointment of Alhaji Amadu Alpha Bah from the National President of United Councils of Imams Sierra Leone which they all need to respect.
The newly appointed acting regional chief Imam Alhaji Amadu Alpha Bah thanked the Paramount chief for his elderly advice, and called on all and sundry for total co-operation for unity and peace in Islam. They all offered special prayer for the leadership of the nation and country as a whole.
In a similar visit to the Resident Minister East William Juana Smith at his Maxwell Khobe office in Kenema, called on Imams and other Muslim scholars in the eastern region and the country as a whole to remain together in doing the work of God in the interest of peace and unity for Sierra Leone. He made this appeal while addressing Imams and other Muslim scholars from Kenema, Kono and Kailahun districts.
He spoke about the letter his office received from the Council of Imams headquarter signed by Ibrahim Mans Kanu Assistance National Secretary General which state that in the case of a vacuum, due to sickness, death, expulsion or as the case may be of a member of position, the deputy of that position should assume the capacity and take responsibility until such a time when the organization deems it necessary to either confirm the holder or appoint a new member in consultation with the national executive for that position.
Juana Smith appealled to them all to go by the constitution that guides their organization, thereby avoiding conflict that will split the religion apart.
He said similar situation happened in Makeni and in Freetown and that they would not allow any ugly situation to divide them; he described them as a role model in society and must live up to the expectation of all and sundry.
On behalf of the council of Imam the Kenema district chief Imam Alhaji Abdul Karim Morie Junisa thanked the Resident Minister for his quick intervention in ensuring that members of the muslim religion remain as one. He thanked the president Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for providing 149 air tickets for Hajj to the council of Imams last year and promised to make it to 156 this year, a move he described as first of its kind in the history of Islam in Sierra Leone.
Responding to the Resident minister the newly-appointed regional chief Imam East Alhaji Amadu Alpha Bah thanked the Minister and the government for their move in maintaining peace at all time. He offered special prayers for the President, the minister and the entire government for peace and tranquility. He then put his hand on the shoulder of Alhaji Abdul Karim Morie Junisa the district chief Imam Kenema to be doing his work in his absence. He promised that they will do everything possible to maintain peace among them all as they are all serving the same God.
BY: Saffa Moriba
August 1, 2013
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