In the course of President George Manneh Weah’s visits to worship centers across Monrovia just as the country head to October 10, 2023’s general elections, the Central Mosque of Liberia, referred to as the Benson Street Mosque, has denied the accusation linking the mosque to endorsing the second-term presidential bid of President George M. Weah.
On August 4, 2023 following the pronouncement of the official opening of campaign by the National Elections Commission (NEC), President George Manneh Weah, with his CDC entourage, visited the Benson Street mosque to offer prayers to God for peace and a violence-free presidential and legislative elections.
During the President’s visit to the mosque, banners and images of President Weah were seen posted on the facility of the mosque, which drew the attention of worshippers. They accused the Imam of using the mosque to campaign for the CDC presidential candidate.
But making the clarification at the Benson Street mosque Monday, August 7, 2023 after ministering the prayer session, the Imam of the mosque, Mohammed A. Sheriff, made it clear that “at no point in time did the mosque ever endorse the presidential bid of President Weah”, as insinuated.
He went on further to say that President Weah extended an invitation to the mosque to join the Muslims to offer prayers to Allah for peace, unity and stability as Liberians go to election on October 10.
Speaking on the banners and other pictures that were placed on the mosque to officially welcome the President, he said it was not done by him or any of the authorities of the Benson Street mosque; rather, by supporters of President Weah, unknown to them.
“The Imam of the Central Mosque of Liberia and its entire congregation categorically condemned the placement of banner and other campaign materials on the facility of the mosque in the name of welcoming President Weah to the mosque on Friday, August 4, 2023. We take it as serious exception because our religion, Islam, doesn’t permit the use of image in sacred areas,” he frowned.
“I regret the incident and wish to use this medium to apologize for the banners and images of President Weah that were placed on the mosque, but we didn’t, at any point in time, endorse President Weah’s bid,” he stated.
He assured the general population and the Muslim community that the act of placing the images on the mosque in relation to welcoming visitors will never happen again, as the mosque remains the place for prayer and worship.
Imam Sheriff pointed out that they will never endorse the presidential bid of any political candidate or party, noting that as religious leaders they are to work with all politicians and provide guidance and direction, spiritually and advisory, void of taking side.
The preacher indicated that the duty of the religious community, especially the Imam and pastor, is to offer prayers for the country and ensure that the country is on good path to provide direction and opportunity for all Liberians.
“We can’t endorse any standard bearer or candidate, not even President Weah or anyone, because we don’t have that authority to make him President,” he said. He noted further that it is against the sacredness of Islam, and said the mosque is a worship site and not a place for political endorsement.