By Foday Moriba Conteh
Partnering to Serve Humanity Consortium, which comprises Tzu Chi Foundation, Healey International Relief Foundation, Lanyi Foundation and Caritas Freetown on the 9th December 2021 held an interfaith dialogue and later on distributed 9600 bags (10 Kilograms) of rice to 3,200 less privileged and persons with disability within the Freetown Municipality .The event took place at the Sheikh Tais Academy Junior Sec. School at Kissy, Shell Lorry Park in Freetown.
The interfaith dialogue facilitated by Partnering to Serve Humanity brought together different religious groups as part of efforts to serve humanity. The event is the single most popular event facilitated by the development arm of the Catholic Church that is supported by the Buddhist Compassionate Foundation, Tzu Chi and other faiths across the country.
Giving a background of the dialogue, the Programme Manager of Caritas Freetown, Ishmael Alfred Charles said over the years, the interfaith dialogue has done a great deal of good for communities, people living in difficult situations but also in general the Sierra Leone society.
He said religious groups, including Catholics, Pentecostal, Muslims, Buddhists, normal Christians sit together, plan and then reach out to the poor and needy.
“The interfaith dialogue always ends with distribution of rice to the poor and needy and it does not select who or look at who comes to receive the rice or who should benefit from the gesture. This singular event promotes peaceful coexistence, cohesion and unity among people of different faiths,” he furthered.
The Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, Rev, Father Peter Konteh in his statement said Caritas means love and this is what they are extending to the poor and needy.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ was showing compassion when he was physically among his people. He fed over five thousand people when they were hungry. This is the same, the interfaith is replicating today, feeding people from different backgrounds and religions,” Father Peter Konteh maintained.
He said this year 3,200 poor and needy have benefited from rice distribution during the interfaith dialogue and such happens every year in different locations. Rice has been distributed in Muslims places of worship, in Church compounds across the city Freetown and other religious places of worship. People from other religious faiths continue to benefit from this gesture and this is only possible through the interfaith engagement activities.
“We are one people because we have the same blood and that is the blood of Jesus Christ our maker. As Christians we believe in sharing but also respecting other faiths. Our Lord Jesus Christ is companionate and always indentifies himself with the poor and heavy laden. What we are doing is the work he sent us to do. We are following his footstep by giving food to the needy,” he said.
The Representative from Jesus is Lord Ministries, Pastor Samuel Konteh, noted that the interfaith dialogue provides the glue that keeps society together.
As society navigates her diversity, and must learn not to destroy the fabric that keep them together but instead learn to tie the knot around each other like the yoke. This allows for religions of all kinds to deepen their knowledge about the values in living and working together.
“We welcome religious tolerance. I go to the mosque, if called by family members or friends. We are humans and we must care for one another,” he said.
Mohamed Pabai is the representative of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist in Sierra Leone. He was very pleased with the gathering as well as for the provision of rice to the poor and needy.
He said Dharma Master Cheng Yen taught them that with love in their hearts there is nothing they cannot overcome, which is a testament of how their religion teaches them about love which is the most significant ingredient in compassion, care and tolerance.
He said there will be no peace among the religions without dialogue.
If religion must have any impact on society, then all religions must learn to live with their neighbors, not merely tolerance, but respectful relationship that seeks the best of all. While interfaith dialogue is important, it is to assert a meaningful voice in society today.
Sheikh Abu Bakarr Fomba Swaray, in his statement, said the day was dedicated for charity and called on the people to behave themselves orderly during the distribution.
He thanked the Tzu Chi Foundation for providing the rice while thanking the Government for the free quality education that is now providing education for Sierra Leonean children.
Sheikh Fomba Swaray said the interfaith dialogue provides the opportunity for society to grow and work together for the good of the people. It gives meaning to the teachings of Islam and the gospel.
“This is one big strength Sierra Leone as country has been able to pull through. Let us cultivate love and not war and hate,” he admonished. The day ended with the distribution of rice, with families taking home three bags of ten kilo rice.
