In a bid to fulfill the commandment of Allah and to join in remembrance and commemoration of the trials and triumphs of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him), the Diyanet foundation a nongovernmental organization based in Turkey has provided over 150 cows to Muslims in Sierra Leone.
In his remarks, Head of the delegation, Hakan Akats, reiterated that the Holy Qur'an describes Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in Sura An-Nahl as an exemplary leader worthy to emulate, an obedient servant of Allah, who was grateful for Allah's bounties and Allah chose him and guided him unto a right path.
Mr. Akats disclosed that their organization is providing aid to the poor and needy all over the world, targetting people in need, orphans and disabled people not only in Turkey but beyond. He emphasized that the organization carries out its activities in over 80 countries of the world.
In his remarks, the Country Director, Sheikh Mohamed Lamin Fofanah draws attention to the primary aim of Diyanet foundation which is to alleviate the sufferings of Muslims all over the world and emphasized that the fact that poverty is intense in the country, the organization will continue to help the Muslim population. He reiterated that one of Prophet Ibraham's main trials was to fulfil his dream to kill his only son Ishmael. Upon having this command through, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled.
Sheikh Fofanah admonished all that It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin and quoted from the Holy Quran 22:37 "It is willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path".
In his remarks, Sheikh Fomba Abu Bakarr Swarray, Chief Imam Madingo Central Mosque and Project Officer Sierra Leone Muslim Missionaries Union, thanked Dyanet Foundation stating that it is a great opportunity for them to be amongst the people to participate and benefit in the remembrance and commemoration of the father of the prophets. He reiterated that poverty and the economic hardship caused by the coronavirus coupled up with the restrictions imposed by the Government, Sierra Leoneans were unable to commemorate this remarkable day in the various fields and observed the slaughtering which is a sunnah in the Islamic Religion.
Sheikh Fomba prayed for Allah's blessings on the organization and call on them to concentrate more in Sierra Leone, in order to help the government alleviate the abject poverty of the people. He ended his statement by thanking all the members of the foundation and more especially the country Director, Sheikh Mohamed Lamin Fofanah, whom he described as workaholic, studious and dedicated in distributing evenly whatever provision sent to this country.
The team from Diyanet Foundation Turkey also includes Abdulrahim Topkaya who witnessed the slaughtering in Kono, Makeni and Freetown.
