Secretary General of the Congress, Professor Babatunde Karim, said they are pleased with the steps taken so far to move the country forward by the New Direction government.
Prof. Karim pointed out that the Bio-led government’s free quality education initiative is a testament to the president’s commitment to improve the life of every Sierra Leonean child.
He commended President Bio for his steps in unifying the country, as well as his determination to ending corruption in the country, adding that the Muslim community is in support of the Commission of Inquiry.
He said that the commission is meant to recover stolen government monies and assets and encouraged the government to remain focused and avoid being distracted by sycophants.
“We are particularly delighted for all the strides you have made in this short time in office. We are happy with the management of the 2018 Hajj, which is the best we have seen so far and we hope that the years ahead will be better. We are also grateful for your prompt action taken on observance of Muslim holidays. We are excited about the ban on masquerades not only on Muslim holidays but on all days declared holy days. However, there is urgent need for more cemeteries within Freetown so it will be good to engage the Ministry of Lands to provide land to reduce the pressure on the already saturated burial sites within Freetown,” he told President Bio
Chairman of the Forum of Islamic Organization for Peaceful Coexistence, Justice Abubakarr King, said the forum is ready to supplement the efforts of the government to positively transform the country.
He said, as Muslims, they are united and pleased with the level of tolerance between the two main religions in the country.
He said he was particularly happy with government’s uncompromising position against rape and violence against women.
He added: “We are happy for the Commission of Inquiry and believe that there is no element of a witch-hunt in it. We are fully behind it and our entire membership will support the process until the end. We commend you for the free quality education which is an initiative no one has thought of. Before now, quality education was for the rich. Under your leadership, it is now affordable,” he said.
In his response, President Bio said Muslims are in the greater majority in the country and that it is important to provide them with the conducive environment to practice their religion freely.
He added that he was able to organize a successful pilgrimage because of the credible people who were assigned to lead the process.
On the Commission of Inquiry, the President added that: “Before now, Sierra Leone had been rated as one of the most corrupt nations in the world. Now, that is beginning to change. The Commission of Inquiry is a way of cleaning our image and it will serve as a deterrent to even some of us in government now.”
