By Kemo Cham
Popular Islamic preacher and motivational speaker, Mufti Ishmail Ibn Musa Menk, used about an hour-long public lecture last Friday urging Sierra Leoneans to espouse a culture of tolerance, despite the existence of differences.
Mufti Menk told thousands of people who thronged the National Stadium to listen to him preach that tolerance was a form of warship as was preached by the Prophet Mohammad (PBH).
“You may have voted for someone who did not win an election and the one you did not vote for becomes the leader, you have to respect him,” the Zimbabwean scholar said in the lecture that touched on a wide range of issues, from religion, to politics to interpersonal relationship among individuals and people.
Mufti Menk, who arrived in Sierra Leone on Wednesday, March 4, was in the country as part of an international tour dubbed “Building Bridges.” The essence of the tour, according to the local organizers, was to promote tolerance and co-existence.
The Islamic preacher spoke about the need for Muslims to embrace everyone, regardless of their differences in faith.
Menk’s lecture particularly stressed on the relationship between Muslims and people of other faiths, especially Christians, stressing that there was nothing wrong in sharing differences in belief. He said as human beings, we all shared humanity in common, everyone having originated from God’s first creations – Adam and Eve. He said there was the need for people to respect one another.
Menk prayed extensively for Sierra Leone, against diseases and all other forms of evil.
His public lecture at the Siaka Steven Stadium was preceded by a packed day of event, including a TV interview at the Africa Young Voices Television and Jumaa (Friday) prayers at Macdonald, a small community outside Waterloo in the outskirts of Freetown.
Earlier on Thursday, Mufti Menk met with President Julius Maada Bio at State House, where the two reportedly held discussions around peacebuilding and religious tolerance.
During his lecture at the Stadium, Menk praised the President and his wife, First Lady Fatima Bio, for their hospitality and efforts in serving Sierra Leoneans.
Mufti Menk also hailed President Bio for being the first head of state to grace his public lecture throughout the many countries he had traveled across the world in his mission to spread the word of God. He also said he’d received the most exciting welcome from Sierra Leone.
The religious preacher said as a result of discussions he had with Mrs Bio, he intended to support her cause to provide sanitary pads for Sierra Leonean school girls who have been forced to stay away from school as a result of inability to get them.
President Bio, while declaring the lecture open, stressed the importance of the culture of political tolerance Sierra Leone had been known for all these years. He promised to ensure this culture is maintained under his leadership of the nation.
Mufti Menk was accompanied by renowned anasheed singer, Zain Bhika, who was himself accompanied by his son. Mr Bhika, prior to Mufti Menk’s lecture, performed several of his hit Islamic songs to the crowd.
The Menk entourage was scheduled to fly out of the country on Saturday.
His visit, the second to Sierra Leone, was facilitated by the Foundation of Islamic Information Sierra Leone.
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