By Nasratu Kargbo
Coordinator for the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEP) Issifu Lampo has said they would like to showcase Sierra Leone’s gains in the area of religious tolerance to the world via documentary.
Lampo who accompanied the Parliamentary Caucus on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) from the Gambia National Assembly made this revelation on the 2nd March 2023 during their visit to parliament. He stated that he was impressed with the level of religious tolerance in the country that is worth showcasing.
He said they are in Sierra Leone to learn and share ideas with the country.
The Coordinator explained that they are a consortium that works with academic and other institutions to make sure Africa promotes and protects the growth and improvement of what FoRB stands for in the continent, stressing on the protection and freedom of people as stipulated in the UN Charter relating to religion.
The head of Delegation Amadou Camara said they were amazed at the harmonious state of the different faiths in the country which would be shared worldwide.
Speaking on the importance of the exchange visit, the MP informed the gathering that there are many enviable practices, qualities and gains Sierra Leone has made as a nation in the aspect of religious tolerance.
Stating the purpose of their visit Camara said that they are in the country to learn and share religious tolerance and freedom as well as their challenges and successes in the country.
The Deputy Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament Segepoh Solomon Thomas stated that the country is well known for respect for all faiths, and spoke of inter-marriages and peaceful co-existence amongst people of different religions. Thomas cited an example in which the country’s President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio who are from different religions. He also mentioned a bishop who built a mosque for his mother.
He noted that the country has made advanced progress in that regard and that other countries should learn from Sierra Leone, noting that religious intolerance has caused so much atrocities around the world.
The delegation also visited the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED) in order to interact with members of the institution, share ideas and experiences on civic engagements and outreach programmes .
Chairman for NaCCED Kalilu Totangi told the delegation that in the area of religious tolerance, “It has been evident in the records of peaceful co-existence along the line of religion.”
Speaking on tribal differences, Totangi said that it has never posed a threat to the nation’s peace and cohesion, but was quick to note that threat occurs during elections.
“Tribe is never an issue for our country because we marry and settle across tribal lines, except when some of our political leaders want to claim undue advantage so they go to the under belly and talk about tribe” said the Chairman.
He said the council with support from partners, has been educating citizens about the disadvantages of tribalism and ethnicity in national politics through messages and outreach programmes.
The visit was climaxed with a presentation of the seven (7) civic education textbooks for Primary and Junior Secondary School levels from NaCCED’s Chairman to the Gambian delegation.
Sierra Leone MPs had also visited The Gambia to learn from them.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (06/03/23)
