Partnering to Serve Humanity 8th Interfaith Dialogue Dishes Rice To Less Privilege
By Mohamed Konneh
Partnering to Serve Humanity Consortium comprising, Tzu Chi Foundation, Healey International Relief Foundation, Lanyi Foundation and Caritas Freetown on the 19th December 2024 held its 8th interfaith dialogue and distributed bags of rice to over 3,000 beneficiaries. Three bags of 10 Kilograms of rice was distributed to the less privileged and persons with disability within the western rural district.
The event took place at Culture Radio, Negus/ Negus Complex, in Grafton.
The interfaith dialogue facilitated by Partnering to Serve Humanity brought together different religious groups as part of efforts to serve humanity but also a show of religious tolerance. The event is the single most popular event facilitated by the development arm of the Catholic Church that is supported by the Buddhist Compassionate Foundation, Tzu Chi Foundation and other faiths across the country.
Giving a background of the dialogue, the Programme Manager of Caritas Freetown, Ishmeal Alfred Charles said over the years, the interfaith dialogue has done a great deal of good for communities, people living in difficult circumstances and the general public as well.
Mr. Charles said religious groups, including Catholics, Pentecostal, Muslims, Buddhists, normal Christians sit together, plan and then reach out to the poor and needy.
“The interfaith dialogue always ends with distribution of rice to the poor and needy and it does not select who or look at who comes to receive the rice or who should benefit from the gesture. This singular event promotes peaceful coexistence, cohesion and unity among people of different faiths,” Charles said.
The Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, Rev, Father Peter Konteh while making his statement said Caritas means love and this is what they are extending to the poor and needy.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ was showing compassion when he was physically on planet earth among his people. Jesus fed over five thousand people when they were hungry. This is the same, the interfaith is replicating today, feeding people from different backgrounds and religious groups,” Father Konteh said.
The Caritas Executive Director noted that over 3,500 poor and needy will benefits from rice distribution during the interfaith dialogue and such happens every year in different locations.
“Rice has been distributed in Muslims places of worship, in Church compounds across the city and other religious places of worship. People from other religious faiths continue to benefit from this gesture and this is only possible through the interfaith engagement activities,” he said.
Father Konteh said “We are one people because we have the same blood and that is the blood of Jesus Christ our maker.
“As Christians we believe in sharing but also respecting other faiths. Our Lord Jesus Christ is companionate and always identifies himself with the poor and heavy laden. What we are doing is the work he sent us to do. We are following his footstep by giving food to the needy,” he said.
The Representative from Jesus is Lord Ministries, Senior Pastor William Koroma, noted that the interfaith dialogue provides the glue that keeps society together.
As society navigates her diversity, and must learn not to destroy the fabric that keep them together but instead learn to tie the knot around each other like the yoke. This allows for religions of all kinds to deepen their knowledge about the values in living and working together.
“We welcome religious tolerance. I go to the mosque, if called by family members or friends. We are humans and we must care for one another,” he said.
Mohamed Pabai is the representative of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist in Sierra Leone.
He started by chanting the Soka Gakkai form of worship while noting that he was very pleased with the gathering as well as for the provision of rice to the poor and needy.
He said Dharma Master Cheng Yen taught them love in their hearts and there is nothing they cannot overcome, which is a testament of how their religion teaches them about love which is the most significant ingredient in compassion, care and tolerance.
He said there will be no peace among the religions without dialogue.
If religion must have any impact on society, then all religions must learn to live with their neighbors, not merely tolerance, but respectful relationship that seeks the best of all. While interfaith dialogue is important it is to assert a meaningful voice in society today.
Sheikh Abu Bakarr Fomba Swaray, in his statement said the day was dedicated for charity and called on the people to be peaceful but however noted that there will no peace if there is no food to eat.
He thanked the Tzu Chi Foundation for providing the rice while thanking the Government for creating the platform for religious tolerance.
Sheikh Fomba Swaray said the interfaith dialogue provides the opportunity for society to grow and work together for the good of the people. It gives meaning to the teachings of Islam and the gospel.
The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji Kela while making his statement start to talk about the Safe Motherhood Bill currently in parliament that has sparked series of debates among the sierra Leonean populace and the religious community.
He how talk about Sierra Leone’s religious tolerance which he describe as a plus to the country
“This is one of the biggest strength we have as Sierra Leonean. Let us cultivate love and not hate,” he said. The day ended with the distribution of rice with families taking home three bags of ten kilo rice each.
