By Mohamed Kamara
The President of the United Council of Imams, Dr. Mohamed Habib Sheriff has engaged members of the United Muslim Blind Association (UMBA) on pertinent issues relating to the progress of UMBA.
This engagement was made during a courtesy visit on Sunday 11th September 2022, at the resident of the President of the United Council of Imams, Dr. Mohamed Habib Sheriff at Allen Town, in the Western Rural District of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The purpose of the meeting is to brief Dr. Mohamed Habib Sheriff of progress made since he Intervenes to support them morally and financially in 2018 when the association was established.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the United Muslim Blind Association, Mr. Sallieu Ibrahim Conteh registered their appreciation to the President of the United Council of Imams for his unwavering support towards members of the association.
“The association can now boast of both Islamic Books and English Books printed in signs for the Blind,” he disclosed, adding that, this is a significant progress towards their integration into society as well as enable them to propagate Islam to other communities.
He said they need to print more books for other students from other Muslim families who have joined them and therefore appealed to the President of the United Council of Imams and other humanitarian organizations to assist them in the printing of the books. He further expressed appreciation that Sierra Leone can now boast of a printing Press for the blind.
The Assistant Secretary General, Mr. Ishmail Turay said Sierra Leoneans of all distinction should know that their plight is best known by God and appealed for assistance, stating further that rewards will be given to them by Allah.
Madam Victoria Squire, a blind graduate from Kenema District thanked President Sheriff for offering her a teaching job at his School MAAHAD AALI Islamic Mission School, situated at Grafton. She said, Dr. Habib’s impartial approach to humanity is commendable. He further thanked Dr. Habib for his support towards persons living with disability, adding that, it shows that indeed he is a true Muslim. His response, Dr. Habib said, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he graduated and equally lectured for 18 years, the present MUFTI and his Predecessor were all blind but have written books which are very useful in most academic institutions. He said his task as a Muslim is to ensure that the blind and other Sierra Leoneans who may be in similar plights be able to get what they want so that they will not feel discriminated. He assured members of the United Muslim Blind Association of his unwavering support towards the growth and development of their association. He further called on other humanitarians’ organizations and individuals to support members of the United Muslim Blind Association (UMBA) in achieving their goals.
