By Sheku Putka Kamara
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Friday 29th March, 2024 called on media practitioners to present what he described as “a progressive narrative in reporting issues of national interests” when speaking at the Iftaar organized by Muslim members of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown.

According to Vice President Juldeh Jalloh, the theme of the Iftaar “Promoting Peace and National Cohesion” resonates well with the focus on disciplined leadership and therefore urged for the enhancement of sustainable societal development.

The VP averred that for Sierra Leone to make the much-needed progress, peace and cohesion should not be treated with levity. He therefore called on media practitioners to uphold the professional ethics of journalism in reporting matters of social happenings, noting that attaining absolute uniformity in societies could pose serious challenges as a result of divergent views and aspirations, but urged that such should not disrupt progress.
Iftaar Lecturer, Sheikh Umar Farouk Adam Bah, said Islam has always prioritized peace and cohesion. He said people should inculcate living as one even where shared differences exist.

Sheik Umar Bah said the SLAJ Iftaar Committee has been embarking on a laudable venture that has the proclivity to continue propagating and promoting the doctrines of Islamic, noting that such platforms should be promoted in the interest of all and sundry. Sheikh Farouk disclosed that a society that lives in harmony thrives in peace, adding that Islam strongly encourages the upholding of such valuable traits. President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, said it was important for peace and cohesion to thrive in any society, noting that media practitioners have a strong role to play in that regard. He said where there is no peace, development will hardly take place and that all societies should work towards doing things in the best interest of all and sundry.

Erstwhile President of SLAJ and BBC’s Correspondent in Sierra Leone, Umaru Fofana, who spoke on behalf of the media, said the role of the media cannot be overstated. He used the opportunity to encourage journalists to embark on fact finding missions for accuracy, balance and clarity in report. Many other speakers made meaningful contributions to the event including media practitioners, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, opposition politicians and the National Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (NCPNC) respectively.
The Iftaar ended with an interactive session and the breaking of fast by Muslims including other invited guests.