Orange Sierra Leone, the country’s leading telecoms company has donated food items to two mosques at Hill Station community in Freetown. Ilmu Zikr and Nabawia mosques at Hill Station community in Freetown were the two beneficiaries of the company’s donations.
The donated items include 30 bags of rice, 10 bags of sugar, 10 cartons of tomatoes, 10 ‘battas’ of cooking oil, 10 bags of onions and 5 bags of milk. The donation went a long way to meet the food needs of the Muslim communities especially in the last ten days of the holy month.
Presentation of the food items was done by Orange Sierra Leone CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Aminata Kane Ndiaye. Prior to the handing over ceremony, Corporate Affairs Manager, Kamal Abass told the jamaat that fasting was one of the major pillars of Islam adding that it was a period to express love and concern for the muslim communities.
“We must show love and gratitude to the muslim communities during Ramadan,” the Corporate Manager said.
Kamal Abass reminded the jamaat that the donation to the mosques was not the first to be undertaken by Orange Sierra Leone. He said, the company, had met the jamaat several times with such gestures. Kamal Abass also reiterated that fasting is a period of sharing.
Receiving the items, Chief Imam of the Ilmu Zikr mosque, Alhaji Chernor Jalloh appreciated the donation on behalf of his jamaat.
Thrilled by the donation, Sheik Jalloh offered prayers for the company to get on strong in the corporate world.
Imam Jalloh said there had been long-standing relationship between Orange Sierra Leone and the Jamaat.
“Every year, the company helps the mosque with food items,” he said.
The Chief Imam made specific reference to the assistance Orange Sierra Leone offered to his mosque at the height of the Corona Virus Disease aka COVID-19. Although the mosques were locked down, he went on, the company brought food aid to the muslims.
Other members of the Jamaat also offered prayers for the company and called on the CEO to continue the tradition of kindness even when he leaves Sierra Leone. As a show of further appreciation, portions of the Holy Quran were recited for the CEO and the company.
At Masjid Nabawia, the message was also the same. Orange Sierra Leone was also blessed by the jamaat for a timely donation. A lecturer at the Mosque, Sheik Abdul Latiff described the donation as wonderful and timely.
Sheik Latiff told the donors that few days back, the jamaat was thinking of ways to find food for the Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Power).
Lailatul Qadr remains an important night for the muslims. Muslims strongly believe that the Holy Quran was revealed during that night and that spending the whole of the night praying and reciting the Holy Quran brings untold blessings.
During that night, muslims of all categories converge at mosques to abundantly remember Allah from whom they seek infinite mercy and forgiveness. During such occasion, food is provided to the needy less privileged muslims by those with the ability to do so thus making the company’s donation the most timely.
Sheik Latiff also said the donation of food items by Orange Sierra Leone is a manifestation of great love for Islam.
Relying on the hadiths of the prophet, the imam said Orange Sierra Leone fell within the category of clever people.
The two mosques are not the only beneficiaries from Orange Sierra Leone. Other muslim communities have also received food aid from the company since the inception of Ramadan. In some muslim communities, Orange Sierra Leone did not only donate food but also took part in the preparation and service of food to the jamaat.
For some mosques in several communities, Orange staff went to market with some members of the jamaat, purchased condiments, prepared food and served the jamaat. Such participation and interaction endeared the company to the muslim communities in Freetown and beyond.