TRACING THE HISTORY OF FOULAH TOWN CONTINUES WITH CHIEF IMAM ALHAJI ABDUL RAHMAN HAMID By: Alhaji Mohamed Wusha-Conteh In an Interview with Alhaji Abdul Rahman Hamid about why one mosque for the Foulah Town Community, he disclosed that at first it was very hard for people to come out in practicing the Islamic religion freely in the late 1800’s as the colonial administration was tied with the Christian Theology and this led to the banning of the practice of the Muhammadan religion. Alhaji Abdul Rahman Hamid recalled that Muslims were so adamant in practicing their religion; like one Savage a freed slave from America, a lawyer by profession and resides in the Fourah Bay Community, led series of protests against the Governor’s decision. According to him, the first Mosque in Foulah Town was built around Mountain Cut/ Peters Street Junction and during that time the Mosque was burnt down by unknown people. Alhaji Hamid further said that they then transferred the Mosque opposite Mountain Cut at Elebank Street Junction and the Mosque was transferred to his present location after the ease given to Muslim to practice their religion. He narrated a case which led to the easing of sanctions on the Muslim Community. According to him, a man was sentenced for treason and as he was being led to King Jimmy for execution, a terrible weather struck with lightening and thunder- storm and everyone ran away leaving the convicted prisoner scotch free and since that time the sanction was relaxed. Imam Hamid disclosed that the Mosque was renovated in 1992 as worshippers increase and more provisions were made. Answering to questions on why the difference with other Mosques in terms of administration, the Chief Imam said that it is because some of the worshippers are civil servants and they have to bring such a system in the Mosque and everyone was given a task and no one interferes with each other’s assignments. Answering to a question on the relationship of the mosque with the community, the Chief Imam confidently said the relationship is very cordial as they are able to settle most of the disputes reported to them leaving most people satisfied but quick to point out that about 1% of the people tend to try to use other angles like the police and court but in the end, most matters are referred to them to be settled.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:58:21 +0000
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