By Abubakarr Harding
The Project Coordinator for Masjid Ar-Rahman, Honourable Mohamed Alieu Jalloh (M.A. Jalloh) on the 31st December, 2022 stated that an estimate of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) was expended for the reconstruction and expansion of the Yogomaia town Central Mosque (Masjid) along Musaia in the Koinadugu District (Kabala).
The opening ceremony of the Central Masjid (Mosque)on Friday afternoon along Musaia Road ,brought together stakeholders from around the world such as some Diasporians( from America, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany etc.),Chiefs(from Kenema, Bo, Makeni, Kambia, Freetown etc.),Ministers, Members of Parliament, Special Adviser to President Bio, Ambassador Bond Wurie, community stakeholders, youths and many women in Islam across the country to grace the occasion in Constituency 044(Ward 147) Koinadugu District, Kabala.
In his statement during his presentation to the Jamaat and some members from the diaspora, the Chairman of the Yogomaia Central Masjid Project, Alhaji Balansama Marah, said he was the happiest man to see the reconstruction and completion of the Masjid project especially on Thursday when the ceremony started with the recitation of the Holy Quran in the mosque.
He told the gathering that he was among the first stakeholders and founders of the initial Masjid structure constructed before which had taken approximately seventy (70) years now. He said due to the insufficiency of space, the population growth in the town and dilapidation of the initial mosque he was called upon to serve as the chairman of the project.
He recalled the contributions of prominent stakeholders from the start and completion of the former Masjid and the present reconstructed one namely, late Alhaji Alimamy Jalloh, Musa Jawara, Alhaji Abubakarr Lee, Algassimu (the first Imam of the former Masjid) Ar-Rahman, Alhaji Boie, Alhaji Massie, Alhaji Yayah, and Alhaji Sallieu Jalloh among few he named. He further appealed to the Jamaat to take care of the Masjid especially for the benefit of the next generation.
The United Kingdom (UK) Coordinator who represented other members in the diaspora for the said project, Chernor Sheriff Jalloh (aka B. Med),disclosed: “Please give few minutes to say thank you to my brother, Honourable Mohamed Alieu Jalloh for his Coordination and mobilization strategies implemented on this project. To start with concerning the project, when my team was told about the project, immediately they responded positively and then decided to tax themselves to pay a minimum of $25 each every Friday in the diaspora. And I would communicate with them quickly they will also respond for the projec “he explained.
He highlighted and recognized contributors of the project from the diaspora among few were Alhaji Boie Saffa, Honourable M. A. Jalloh for steering their team as a Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Sister Adama Barrie, Alhaji Bello, Mohamed Rahman, Chernor Barrie, Haja Fatmata Jalloh, Mr. and Mrs. Sajalieu Jalloh, Adama Jalloh, Mohamed Ken Jalloh, Lamrana Jalloh among few he said.
The Project Coordinator of the Masjid in the Koinadugu district and the Diaspora, Mohamed Alieu Jalloh, thanked his Excellency, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio and the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for their significant contribution to the Yogomaia Central Mosque, Masjid Ar-Rahman for its laudable and standard contribution in the town maintaining that despite the Masjid’s completion, maintenance work is key and must be taken into consideration on a regularly basis. He said because the land of the former Masjid was not spacious they asked stakeholders closer to the mosque to give them land space to expand the mosque which was built in two years period.
Representatives of Islamic Stakeholders, Honourable Minority leader in Parliament, Chernor Maju Bah (Chericoco) and the Minister of Labour, Alpha Osman Timbo, thanked the Coordinator of the project for promoting the ideals of Islam in the district.
The Architecture for the new Masjid construction, including other stakeholders from other parts of the country, further appealed for the construction of an Islamic school and college in the district.
