By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Sheik Abu Bakarr Kamara has publicly apologized for a sermon in which he stated that Muslims who celebrate Christmas would go to hell, a remark that sparked public concern and threatened Sierra Leone’s long standing tradition of religious tolerance.
The apology was made on Wednesday 31st December, 2025, during a high level reconciliation meeting held by the Ministry of Social Welfare in Freetown. The meeting brought together senior Government officials and leading Christian and Muslim figures following widespread reactions to the sermon, which many feared could inflame interreligious tensions in the country.
Addressing the gathering, Sheik Kamara acknowledged that his statement caused tension and misunderstanding and asked for forgiveness from the public. He admitted that his words were inappropriate and inconsistent with the values of peace and unity that have defined Sierra Leone’s interfaith relations for decades.
Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Kaminty, who presided over the meeting, urged citizens to accept the apology and move forward in the interest of national cohesion. She emphasized that religious leaders wield significant influence and must be cautious about the content, context and tone of their public statements.
She warned that irresponsible religious messaging could undermine national stability and disclosed that government is working on policies aimed at regulating religious leadership and curbing hate speech. The Minister stressed that the matter must be put to an end, stating that government would not allow the issue to escalate further or disrupt the country’s peace.
Religious leaders from both faiths used the platform to reaffirm Sierra Leone’s shared history of peaceful coexistence. Reverend Henry Samuels recalled the country’s tradition of interfaith harmony, noting that Muslims and Christians have historically lived, worshipped and celebrated together as families and communities.
Representing the Muslim community, Sheik Ibrahim Barrie issued a formal apology for the initial statement, describing it as a misrepresentation of Islamic teachings. He cited Islamic principles and historical accounts that promote mutual respect and protection between Muslims and Christians.
Calls for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents were also raised. Musa Mewa Esq, Amir of the Ahmadiyya Mission, argued that policy guidelines alone may be insufficient and called for enforceable legal frameworks to promote peace and harmony among all citizens. He stressed that matters of faith should never involve coercion.
Reverend Baba Tam Bayoh of the Inter Religious Council described national unity as fragile and in constant need of protection, urging religious leaders to consistently promote messages of love and tolerance. Bishop Emeritus Reverend Arnold C Temple emphasized the importance of dialogue, stating that while individuals may hold firm beliefs, such convictions must be expressed in ways that preserve peace.
The meeting ended with a collective agreement to use the incident as a turning point for reinforcing interreligious harmony. Government officials reiterated that the issue has been resolved and that national focus must return to safeguarding peace, tolerance and unity across Sierra Leone.
