Pro-temp calls for religious tolerance

As debate continues among Liberians on call to legislate the country a Christian State, Senate President Pro-tempore, Senator Armah Zolu Jallah of Gbarpolu County has called for religious tolerance here.

Liberian Muslims have vehemently opposed call by Christian groups here to legislate Liberia as a Christian State.  

Senator Jallah said Liberia is at a crossroads and Liberians should be very careful how they approach the issue of religious choices on the national scene.

The Pro-tempore call followed last week’s validation of recommendation for Liberia to become a Christian State by Christian delegates at the just-ended Constitution Review Conference in Gbarnga, Bong County. 

The conference was organized by the Constitution Review Committee or CRC to validate views collected from citizens across the country, calling for amendments in the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.

The Gbarpolu County Senator spoke over the weekend at his office at the Capitol Building in Monrovia in reaction to divergent opinions on religious accommodation in the Constitution of Liberia.  

Pro Tempore Jallah said the law of the land should not marginalize one religious against another, stressing that the traditional practice of religious freedom which has become a culture for Liberians should not be denied so that the peace Liberians have enjoyed as a secular state for decades will continue to be sustained.

He however, urged both Christian and Muslim communities to exercise restraint on the matter and also all key actors in the debate, including the Government of Liberia, opinion leaders and the Constitution Review Committee to handle the issue with highest degree of care so that the situation will not degenerate into religious violence.