By Amin Kef (Ranger)
President Julius Maada Bio has renewed his call for peace, tolerance, and religious harmony across West Africa, as he addressed a sub-regional Muslim prayer conference held in eastern Sierra Leone, strongly condemning all forms of religious violence and hate speech.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, attended the conference on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in Kpandebu Dama Town, Kenema District. The event was organised by the Sierra Leone chapter of the Kormende Progressive Union and brought together Islamic scholars, clerics, and delegates from across the Mano River Basin.
The annual conference, which rotates among Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, provided a platform for collective prayers of thanksgiving to Allah for peace, life, and unity throughout the sub-region. Special prayers were also offered for the leadership and citizens of the four Mano River Basin countries, with participants calling for sustained stability, harmony, and cooperation.
Delivering his goodwill message, President Bio expressed gratitude to delegates who travelled from neighbouring countries to attend the gathering, describing the conference as a powerful demonstration of faith-driven unity at a time when many societies are grappling with division and intolerance.
He noted that the gathering went beyond religious rituals, describing it as a sacred assembly dedicated to gratitude and reflection. According to the President, the presence of participants from different countries underscored the unifying power of religion when grounded in peace and shared values.
President Bio emphasised that authentic knowledge of the Holy Qur’an and the Bible promotes compassion, tolerance, and respect for human dignity, rather than violence or exclusion. He cautioned religious leaders against preaching messages of hatred, urging them instead to use their influence to foster peaceful coexistence within their communities.
Calling on Islamic scholars across the Mano River Basin to be ambassadors of peace, the President said religious leaders have a moral responsibility to guide followers toward unity and understanding, particularly in a region with deep cultural and spiritual ties.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s longstanding tradition of religious tolerance, President Bio pointed to the country’s strong interfaith relationships, including shared worship spaces, inter-marriages, and mutual respect between Muslims and Christians. He described Sierra Leone as a living example of how diverse religious beliefs can coexist peacefully and encouraged other nations to draw lessons from that experience.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to religious freedom, President Bio pledged continued support for initiatives that promote national unity, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. He urged citizens of the Mano River Basin to reject division and live together in harmony, regardless of religious, political, or regional differences.
The conference concluded with prayers for peace in 2026 and renewed calls for collective responsibility in safeguarding stability across the sub-region.
