Presidential candidates for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All-People’s Congress (APC) Party, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio and Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara have joined Muslim worshippers in Sierra Leone to observe Eid-Ul-Fitr Prayers at the Jamatul Ilmu-Zikr Mosque on Hill Station and in Mambolo town, Kambia district respectively.
At the various places of worship, the presidential candidates preached unity and peace before, during and after the 2023 elections.
At the Jamatul Ilmu-Zikr Mosque, President Bio said: “This is a great day in our lives, to see the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan and to see Muslims converging to bring to an end Ramadan. There is no difference here, with no political parties, but we have demonstrated that we are one people – Sierra Leoneans with faith in God.
“All of us here have received our voter identification cards. Come that day for elections, you have your right to vote and choose who you want to. But you don’t have the right to disturb the peace of others, not to talk of even using abusive words against each other. This unity is what we want as a nation to develop.
“As we have converged here today, I am joining the Imams and all our Islamic scholars to pray and ask Allah to accept all our supplications for ourselves and for our country. May Allah answer our prayers and prosper our nation,” the President prayed.
He noted that for the development of Sierra Leone, political leaders should be able to present their people with programmes that serve the nation, adding that he prayed that all politicians would always come with a message and not incite and lead the youth to violence.
“For Sierra Leone to prosper, we need what is called social mobility. If you are a servant today, your prayers are for you to become a master tomorrow. As a nation, within these five years, we have made tremendous achievements in all sectors, from education to health, electricity, roads, and infrastructure, among others.
“All of this was possible as a result of the peace we have. Islam is about peace, and I am happy that Sierra Leoneans of all shades of opinion converged here today peacefully to observe the end of Ramadan. May this love, peace, and unity that exist among the Muslims continue to be among all Sierra Leoneans,” the President prayed.
In Mambolo town, Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara and his runningmate Hon. Chernor Ramadan Bah have joined Muslims of the district to observe the Eid–al Fitr prayers.
Though a Christian, the APC flagbearer used the opportunity to encourage the worshippers to be united and uphold the peace before, during and after the June elections.
Dr. Samura Kamara in a social media post while congratulating Muslim on the occasion of this year’s Eid said: “Today from myself and my family I send my best wishes to our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on this Eid day. I pray that this day is joyous and full of blessings to us all. Eid Mubarak to our brothers and sisters. May Allah accept your fasting”.
In chiefdom, traditional as well as religious leaders extolled the virtues of Dr Samura Kamara and recounted his numerous contributions to Sierra Leone through the positions he has held in the public service.
Local authorities encouraged Dr Samura Kamara to remain steadfast in the pursuit of his dream to become President of Sierra Leone.
Dr Samura Kamara also took time to engage the APC party faithful in Kambia during which he reaffirmed his commitment for a unified APC which will be ready for State House in 2023.
After the Eid prayers, the presidential aspirant visited various communities and chiefdoms across the district, where people have gathered to welcome.
