Abdul Hadi Qurashi, Sierra Leone Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone inaugurated a new mosque in Bo region’s Kundorwahon Jamaat on 9 April 2021. An Amin ceremony was also held with the opening of the mosque.
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was established in this area in 2019 and keeping in mind the number of worshipers, a mosque was needed.
After the gracious approval of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, a Lajna member from Germany, Khalida Zia Parveen Rana Sahiba paid the total expenses of the construction of the mosque on behalf of some of their late relatives. A total of 100 million Leones were spent on the construction of the mosque.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graciously named the mosque “Masjid Baitur Rahim”.
A solar panel, MTA system and loud speaker are also installed in the mosque so that Jamaat members may listen to Huzoor’s Friday sermons and other programmes on MTA. Approximately 250 people can offer prayer in this mosque.
Aqeel Ahmad Sahib, regional missionary, and Amara Simbo Sahib, a muallim looked after the construction work of the mosque.
The foundation of the mosque was laid by Saeedur Rahman Sahib, Amir and Missionary-in-charge Sierra Leone on 21 February 2020, during a brief programme.
The inauguration event started with the recitation of the Holy Quran, after which the guests were introduced.
Aqeel Ahmad Sahib introduced the Jamaat in the area and gave an introduction of the mosque.
Amir Sahib listened to the Holy Quran from the children who completed the first reading of the Holy Quran. A total of 11 children completed the Holy Quran.
In his address, Amir Sahib told the audience that the purpose of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is to establish prayer and to teach the Holy Quran, and the Jamaat does this work without any charges and in less than a year’s time our muallim has taught the Holy Quran to 11 children. Alhamdulillah.
Amir Sahib cut the ribbon and formally opened the mosque and the Friday prayer was offered in the mosque. In his Friday sermon, he told people about the advent of the Promised Messiah and Mahdias.
Lunch was served to everyone after the Friday prayer.
The attendees included eight chiefs (including two paramount chiefs, the regent chief and the town chief), a representative of chiefdom imam, 15 non-Ahmadi imams, central and local missionaries, and more than 300 members from various jamaats of the region.
New Mosque in Kenema region
Another new mosque was inaugurated in Kenema city, alhamdulillah.
The foundation of this mosque was laid in 2006 by the late Lutfur Rahman Mahmood Sahib, the central delegate for Jalsa Salana Sierra Leone 2006. At that time, the foundations and walls were erected under the supervision of the missionary of Kenema region, Iqbal Munir Sahib. But later due to some reasons, further construction was delayed.
In 2017, Qasid Ahmad Waraich Sahib, a missionary from Canada, came for waqf-e-arzi in Kenema and on his return to Canada, his family expressed the desire to complete the construction of the mosque and their request was graciously accepted by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.
On the request of Qasid Sahib, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa sent four tiles and one of the tiles was fixed in the foundation of this mosque. Nasir Ahmadiyya Secondary School paid 49 million Leones for the construction of the mosque and Qasid Sahib’s family paid 65 million Leones for the construction of the mosque. May Allah bless them all. Amin.
The mosque was constructed under the supervision of Munir Hussain Sahib, the former regional missionary of Kenema, and the arrangements of the inauguration were done by Muhammad Naeem Azhar Sahib, current regional missionary of Kenema.
The mosque is situated in Nasir Ahmadiyya Secondary School’s compound at the main highway which leads to the country’s capital, Freetown and can be seen from far.
Approximately 450 people can offer prayer in this mosque. The height of the minaret is 60 feet.
On 7 April 2021, the inauguration programme started at 11:30am with a recitation from the Holy Quran and was chaired by Saeedur Rahman Sahib, Amir and Missionary-in-charge Sierra Leone. Asadullah Waheed Sahib recited the Holy Quran. Ismail Koroma Sahib, a teacher of the Ahmadiyya school, presented the Promised Messiah’s qaseedah, “Ya ‘aina faizillahi wal irfani”.
Regional president, Muhammad Sharif Sahib introduced the guests.
In his speech, Amir Sahib gave an introduction to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and told the audience about the purpose of the coming of the Messiah and Mahdi. He told the audience that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, under the auspicious guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, calls people to the true teachings of Islam and works to promote peace and harmony in the society.
He briefly presented the 100 years’ history of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone and mentioned some of the achievements of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone.
Some of the guests gave goodwill messages. Paramount Chief Muhammad Banya, Naib Amir II on behalf of the chiefs, thanked the Jamaat and Amir Sahib. The principal of Government Secondary School on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Mr Mustapha Skaikay on behalf of the Lebanese Community, and Mr Muhammad Bah Inspector of Police on behalf of the DIG, thanked the Jamaat on establishing this mosque.
Amir Sahib cut the ribbon and formally opened the mosque. The Zuhr prayer was offered in the mosque in congregation and the guests were served lunch after the prayer.
The attendees included the Paramount Chief, the District Imam and 3 members of his executives, representative of Chiefdom Speaker, seven principals of the Ahmadiyya schools, four central missionaries, seven local muallimeen, 76 non-Ahmadi guests, and 324 Ahmadi members. Members from six jamaats of Kenema region attended this blessed programme.
We pray that may Allah always keep both these mosques inhabited with true worshipers. Amin.