LIBERIA – The Leader of the Of Shia Muslims in Liberia Sheikh Askary M. Kromah has clarified in the strongest terms that the Liberian Shia Muslims are not, has never been trouble or terrorists in the country has been wrongly alleged by the Grand Mufti of Liberia, Sheik Abubakar Sumawuru on Monday, May 2, 2022, during the Eid Al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the month of the holy month of Ramada.
Sheikh Kromah, in an interview with a team of reporters yesterday described the statement as false and misleading information provided by the Grand Mufti of Liberia, Sheik Abubakar Sumawuru who is be preaching the doctrine of peace unity, and Reconciliation but now engaging in vices that will lead to confusion in the Muslims community in Liberia.
According to him, during his Khutubah (Sermon) the Grand Mufti of Liberia, Sheik Abubakar Sumawuru called on the Liberian Government not to permit the operations of the Shia Muslims in the country and also accused them of being a terrorist group.
The Liberian Shia Muslims Leader Sheikh Kromah indicated that, like all religious groups, in the country and beyond, they as Muslims have variations in the form and manner of worship but serve the same God, and also have the same prophet(Prophet Mohammed)using the same book (Holy Quran) and the rest.
Sheikh Kromah noted that Islam is a peaceful religion and the Shia Muslims have lived peacefully with their brothers and sisters throughout Liberia for over 17 years without any history of aggression or hostility.
He said in Liberia they are making every effort to maintain peace, stability, and development of their beloved country Liberia evidenced by the construction and operation of Schools, Mosques, construction of hand pumps, to help provide safe drinking water for various communities in the country.
“The Shia Muslims in Liberia at no time have been involved in any violence act because as a religious group, we are committed to maintaining the peace we are currently enjoying,” Sheikh Kromah said.
The Liberian Shia Muslims Leader then used the occasion to condemn what he referred to as the uncontrolled statement made by the Grand Mufti of Liberia, Sheik Abubakar Sumawuru because it is an attempt to create division and conflict amongst the Muslim community in particular and the Liberian society in general.
“Furthermore, we are left flabbergasted that he closed the occasion such as Eid Al-Fitr(the occasion marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan) to make an unrestrained and dangerous statement instead of preaching peace, unity, and reconciliation only for him to called Shia Muslims in Liberia a terrorists organization,” Sheikh Kromah said.
The Liberian Shia Muslims Leader, however, called on Liberians including the Liberia National Council, National Imam Council, Inter-religious Council of Liberia, and the general public to join them vehemently to condemn the actions of the Grand Mufti of Liberia, Sheik Abubakar Sumawuru because his action does not represent the view of the Muslims in Liberia.
“Can we learn from the example of our Christian brothers and sisters in Liberia that have multiple of different denominations without problem? He asked.
He also used the occasion to call all religious leaders in Liberia to warn the Grand Mufti of Liberia, Sheik Abubakar Sumawuru, and who so ever believed in him and the rest of the Muslims in Liberia to practice peace according to their faith and stop the verbal attack and castigating others because it a recipe for religious conflict and Liberia is not prepared for that.
