By: Aaron Bundu Lahai – Head of Media & Public Relations
Freetown, Sierra Leone – On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, launched the construction of an extended four-story Jamiul Atiq Mosque on Davies Street in the Fourah Bay Community. In his address, Vice President Jalloh reflected on his interactions with various jamaats across Sierra Leone and his support for Islamic events. He expressed great respect for the Fourah Bay community’s dedication, commitment, and support towards Islam. “When you look at their dedication and the manner they put resources into their masjids, it is very admirable,” he said.
Vice President Jalloh emphasized that a masjid without a jamaat is just an empty building. He noted that the jamaat has a responsibility to ensure the masjid functions and should support the masjid as is done in other countries like Senegal, where the jamaat supports the Imams and auxiliary staff in mosques.
He thanked the Fourah Bay Jamaat for their exceptional organization in managing their masjids and stated that every Muslim child has a responsibility to invest in the Islamic religion for future generations. He assured the jamaat of his support for the project and informed them that his financial contribution would be brought by Professor Babatunde Karim. The Vice President was accompanied by various Fullah stakeholders, including the Deputy Fullah Tribal Head in Freetown.
Alhaji Professor Abdul Babatunde Karim, who doubles as the Secretary to the building committee, revealed that the Jamiul Atiq Masjid was founded in 1833 and has undergone several transformations. The mosque was expanded in 1836, transformed into a permanent structure in 1876, and its present architecture was constructed in 1982. However, the current facility can no longer accommodate the growing jamaat, especially during the rainy season. The new four-story building will serve as an extension to the existing masjid.
Alhaji Alieu Mahdi, Chairman of the building committee, explained that the mosque’s administration is managed by two bodies: the Trust body with twelve members and the Annual Assembly with twelve members. These bodies are responsible for directing the activities of the mosque.
The ceremony was highlighted by the turning of the sod by Vice President Jalloh and a fund-raising program.