FREETOWN, Sierra Leone: Muslims from all walks of life in Sierra Leone observed Ashura – the tenth day of Moharram - by holding mourning gatherings.

At the Islamic Institute in the capital Freetown, a large number of people on January 20 converged to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) pying him rich homage.

Sheikh Ahmad Tejan Sillah chief Imam of the Freetown Central Mosque and director of the Al-Jafaria Islamic Organization said, "If Hussein had not risen up against Yazid, today, we would not have commemorated his martyrdom", adding that Hussein's rise against Yazid was for the restoration of the "true Islamic doctrines".

Sheikh Sallieu Bah a lecturer at the International Islamic Institute in Freetown said Hussein was a revolutionist, who came to reform Islam and wipe out corruption, oppression and all moral vice and the perpetration of unIslamic values.
Mr. Mohamed Reza Ghezel Sofla the Chancellor of the Iranian Cultural Consulate described Hussein as "guarantor of freedom and justice". "He was the torch bearer for everybody. He was like a candle but he himself melted. He sacrificed his body for our sake".

Sheikh Lamin Juana spoke on the importance of the prophets family and his descendants who are part of the Ahl Uhl Bhait.

Dr. Ghaani the principal of the Islamic College spoke on the emulative attributes of Hussein which he said all humans must have.

The occasion was chaired by Mohamed Lamin Mansaray a renowned orator and principal of the Islamic Secondary School in Freetown.