Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has called for unity, religious harmony, and peaceful coexistence in a keynote speech delivered at a sub-regional Muslim prayer conference held in Kpandebu Dama Town, Kenema District.
Accompanied by First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, President Bio attended the event organized by the Sierra Leone chapter of the Kormende Progressive Union, where he condemned all forms of religious violence and hate speech.
The conference, which rotates among the four countries of the Mano River Basin – Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire – will brought together Islamic scholars, clerics, and delegates from the region. The event was centered around prayers of thanksgiving to Allah for peace, life, and unity. Delegates also prayed for the continued stability and leadership in the four countries.
In his address, President Bio expressed gratitude to the delegates from Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire for honoring the invitation to the event. He described the gathering as a meaningful and fitting way to end the year, highlighting the significance of coming together in prayer and gratitude for the blessings of 2025. He noted that the conference was a powerful demonstration of how religion could unite people across borders, particularly in a world increasingly marked by division.
“This is not just a religious gathering; it is a gathering dedicated to Allah,” said President Bio, emphasizing that the event was a demonstration of unity across the Mano River Basin, with people from different nations coming together in thanksgiving for God’s mercies.
The President also addressed the importance of religious tolerance and peace, urging religious leaders in the sub-region to use their influence to promote mutual respect and understanding. He stressed that a genuine understanding of the Holy Qur’an or the Bible should discourage violence, intolerance, and hate speech. “Religious leaders must avoid spreading messages of hate,” President Bio said. “We must teach our followers to live in peace and harmony.”
President Bio further commended Sierra Leone’s long-standing tradition of religious coexistence. He highlighted the country’s strong interfaith relationships, noting the shared worship spaces, inter-marriages, and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims. He encouraged other nations in the region to draw lessons from Sierra Leone’s example of religious harmony and peaceful coexistence.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to protecting religious freedom and fostering social cohesion, President Bio pledged continued support for initiatives that promote unity among the people of Sierra Leone and the broader Mano River Basin. He encouraged citizens to live together in peace and harmony, regardless of their religious, political, or regional differences.
“I urge all of us in the Mano River Basin to live in peace and harmony,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of unity in ensuring long-term stability in the region.
The sub-regional conference provided a platform for religious leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest and promote the message of peace, religious tolerance, and cooperation within the four countries of the Mano River Basin.
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