It is with gratitude to Allah Almighty that I today join my Muslim compatriots and Muslims all over the world in welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadan. Ramadan has always been a month of forgiveness, redemption and mercy. I have no doubt in my mind that the people of this great nation will continue to live up to these divine ideals of the holy month.

Our country is renowned the world over for our religious tolerance. This is the most enduring trait of our people. We respect and revere the religious beliefs and practices of our compatriots. This is why in Sierra Leone, Muslims invite Christians to break the fast with them, and Christians join Muslims in acts of restraint, modesty, and solidarity.

 

We glorify God Almighty for His grace of peace, religious harmony and solidarity in our country. We stand with the people of the world in praying for peace and religious tolerance in Mali, Nigeria, and Egypt. And may God Almighty grant us peace, security and harmony all over the world.

President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma

Ramadan has always given us moments of great national significance. I became President of this country during the Month of Ramadan in 2007; and by the grace of God, we will be launching the Agenda for Prosperity on the very first Friday of this month of Ramadan. It is our fervent hope that the blessings of this month of Ramadan will be manifest as we implement the Agenda for Prosperity.

The Qur’an tells us that God is the best of planners, the Bible teaches us that the person who does not sow in God’s name, sows in vain. Let me therefore humbly request all Sierra Leoneans during this holy month to pray for God’s guidance as we move on to the Agenda for Prosperity. Let us pray for God’s blessings as we sow our Agenda for Prosperity, which as you all know is our country’s comprehensive national development plan for the next five years.

The scholars of Islam tell us that there is a special night in this Month, the Lailatul Qadri, or Night of Power that is better than a thousand months; I pray the divine blessings of this great night be upon us.

Once Again I congratulate my Muslim Compatriots. Ramadan Karim; Ramadan Mubarak.