In her remarks, Haja Baindu Dassama expressed his appreciation to launch such a big Islamic organisation that enclosed the various Islamic sects in the Muslim faith. She stressed that the organization will help the New Direction achieve its objective noting that the President always preached for peaceful co-existence in the country.
Haja Dassama, assured the leadership of the Forum of Islamic Organisation for peaceful co-existence of Government fullest support as her ministry supervises all religious bodies and has policy and programmes to ensure that they operate within the ambit of the law.
In his remarks, Minister of Internal Affairs Hon. Edward Soluku assured members of the Forum of his ministry fullest support as they are responsible for internal security in the country. He praised the organization for such a laudable effort where each sect will be allowed to express their views. He admonished all to respect other organizations and warned all to operate under the ambit of the law.
Mr. Soluku said the New Direction will only succeed if all come together and work as one people irrespective of their differences. He expressed his hope that this organization will play a pivotal role in the dream of His Excellency the President for an Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion.
In his remarks, President of the Forum of Islamic Organizations for Peaceful Coexistence, Alhaji Justice Abu King said that the main aim of the organization is to ensure that all Muslims that accepted the “Kalimatu Shaadah” regardless of their sects to live in harmony and respect our differences. He stressed that this is not in any way about complying with religiously significant differences that may exist.
Justice King admonished all that this has nothing to do with Islamic intellectual knowledge, but rather a peaceful and conflict management mechanism among Muslim sects that have so much more in common to hang on to in unity. He disclosed that is the reason they chose the Quranic Verse Sura Al-Imaran 3:103 “And hold unto the rope of Allah, all together, and do not be divided”.
Justice King ended his statement by encouraging all to stop calling each other names as only Allah is the judge and Allah will judge all of us who follow the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be with him).
The ceremony which was chaired by Alhaji Murtada Sesay attracted various distinguished personalities from all walks of life and Islamic organizations in the country.
