Shia Leader Urges Unity in Muslim Community

One of the leaders of the Shia Islam in Liberia is urging Muslims in Liberia to unite, irrespective of their differences.

Sheikh Askary Kromah was speaking Sunday June 10, 2012 at program marking this year’s Miraj, a key event on the Muslim calendar, in Bo-Waterside at the Liberia-Sierra Leone border.

The Miraj is observed annually as the time at which Prophet Mohammed ascended into Heaven to receive the revelation from God (Allah) to begin his mission. Muslims also celebrate the day to mark Mohammed’s appointment by God.

Sheikh Kromah, who is the Chairman of a group of Shia Muslims called the Islul-Bayt Foundation (AS) headquartered in the Virginia community of Red Hill, said unity among Muslims, is important.

He said thought there were varying concepts of Islam, Muslims must be united if they were the true followers of Mohammed.

He said allegation by some Muslim leaders that Shia Muslims were non-Muslims was unfounded and not in the interest of the religion.

“Everything they have said against us, the Shia Muslims, are all fabricated lies,” he told the Miraj celebration.

He said Shia Islam was a true Islam, believing in the pillars of Islam—that there is one God, with Mohammed His prophet and the Qur’an the Holy Book.

The celebration of the Miraj in Grand Cape Mount was a nightlong event, characterized by speeches, singing and dancing between both Shias and Sunnies.

There were representatives from the elders, the Women and the Youth, and the Fulani community. There were also representatives from the Sierra Leonean community.

There were a lot of messages from each speaker, but common among them were the call for unity, faith in Islam and above all, love for one another, including non-Muslims.