Religious tolerance in Sierra Leone is essential to its ongoing peace, functional government and diverse society. Ambassador Brewer welcomed clerics and members of the Muslim and Christian communities in Freetown for an interfaith iftar on the 30th of May, 2019. Sheikh Abu Bakarr Conteh presided over the event. Each year for the past decade during Ramadan, we at the U.S. Embassy have reached out to our Muslim friends by either sharing a meal with Muslim clerics and dignitaries, or by bringing cooking supplies to a local community. This year, Ambassador Brewer hosted a total of 70 religious clerics and civil society leaders for an inter-faith dinner at the Chief of Mission Residence.
Her remarks below:
I am honored for the opportunity to host you all and to have discussions and share a meal together.
Each year for the past decade during Ramadan we at the U.S. Embassy reach out to our Muslim friends by either sharing a meal or bringing some cooking condiments to a community. During such gatherings, we recognize our shared values of peace, tolerance, and fellowship – no matter our religious beliefs or identification.
In the U.S. President’s 2019 Ramadan message he said, “Throughout this month, we all have an opportunity to reflect on the blessings we have been given and to work toward greater fellowship with one another. Together, in the spirit of Ramadan, we can achieve a more harmonious and respectful society.”
The United States continues to treasures its long history of peaceful cooperation with Sierra Leone. It is a friendship that I know will continue to grow and flourish.
On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my warmest wishes to Muslims in Sierra Leone. I hope that we are all blessed with the joys of family, peace, and understanding.
Ramadan Kareem. Ramadan Mubarak.
