The Eastern Equatoria State Islamic Council on Wednesday swore in the newly appointed executive body in Torit.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the Director General in the State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, the mayor of Torit, and religious leaders from different denominations among other officials.
Last Month, the Council’s Secretary General, Sheikh Awad Omer Okot, removed the whole executive and appointed Sheikh Hassen Ismail Lomoro as the First Deputy Secretary General, Sheikh Salah Mohamud Fazari, Secretary of Administration Affairs, Finance and Awkaf and Secretary of Dawa and Education, Sheikh Saabit Abu Regain Valentino among others.”
However, the former members of the council who were not reappointed did not turn up for the swearing-in ceremony or even hand over the offices they held.
Moyoyo Peter Saturlino, the legal counselor at the Islamic Council, presided over the swearing-in of the new executives, urged them to adhere to Islamic teachings, and emphasized peace and unity among Muslims.
Sheikh Hassan Ismail, the Council’s first deputy secretary general, pledged to break barriers and work for peace among Muslims. He appealed to the outgoing executive to continue supporting the new executive.
“We ask God to help people who were before us and we will be with them. We will not stay safe, God willing and you will find us in good fortune as new leaders. God willing, we will be active. Peace be upon you all,” he said.
For his part, Sheikh Awad Omar Okot, Secretary General Islamic Council Eastern Equatoria State, said the Quran teaches unity and love, thus forgiveness is vital. He urged the Muslim community and citizens to desist from segregation and disunity and exalt God’s Mercy and Grace.
“The new office needs religious advice but people are equal. People read, but they read and do not apply it practically. Our Lord says, ‘In the name of God, the Most Gracious, and the Most Merciful. Say, oh God, the owner of the kingdom. You give the kingdom to whomever he wills, and you take the kingdom from whomever he wills, and you exalt whomever you will, and you humble whomever you will. In your hand is goodness, and you are over all things.’ At present, people still have a problem. I mean, they brought Suleiman, his sister, the head of the imams, and his sister, the head of the imams. We are Muslims. We work with the Qur’an, with the verses, the books of the Sunnah,” he quoted.
Meanwhile, Pastor Peter Sundar, a representative of the religious leaders in the state, hailed the new executive for accepting to lead the Muslim community.
“We work with sincerity and I expect you to work with sincerity. You are not managing whether these are endowments, if so, what are the things from God that belong to God? Be careful when we work on certain needs. If you are not divided in your life, come back and be with the people that true believers,” he advised. “It is better that we provide people with knowledge of the things that are important to us because the person who works for the sake of knowledge works better than someone who does something he does not know.”
For her part, Dominica Idwa Vitale, Director General in the State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, urged the religious leaders to respect worship and serve citizens irrespective of their religious denominations, tribes, or race.
“Congratulations to the team that has been sworn in, Allah should be with you in your respective offices, and serve Allah with one heart,” she said. “Let us respect each other in the respective places of worship.”