Sierra Leone: Bo Ahmadiya Muslim Secondary School Golden Jubilee, Former Principal and Secretary General Honoured

...[T]he birth of the school was a new dawn of a new era in which people of this country were assured admission to the school irrespective of their religion and faith. …amidst difficult circumstances the school continued to make progress in all sectors including extra-curricular activities.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Int'l Desk
Source & Credit: Standard Times Press News
By Fayia Amara | Kenema | March 21, 2010

This year marked the 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School in Bo, with many activities forming parts of the Celebration. On the 17th March 2010, the School administration and the Bo Ahmadiyya Old Students Association –BAOSA in collaboration with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat in Sierra Leone with support from the missionary in charge, Honorable Amir Saeedur-Rehman had organized a Special Dinner in honour of the Former Principal of the school Bashir Ahmad Akhtar who is the current Secretary General of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at in the United Kingdom.


As a result of his tremendous contributions towards the development of the mission and particularly the School at the time he was Principal-1975-1986, Bashir Ahmad Akhtar was further honoured and because of that he was invited to be the Guest of Honor and Speaker at the Speech –Day and Prize –Giving Ceremony which took place on the 18th March 2010 to mark the 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the School in Bo

The Chairman of the ceremony Dr. Foday Kallon, an old student of the school expressed thanks to the Old Students Association and the administration for being host to a mammoth gathering an has reminded the audience that the best way for every one of them is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their Almatar and reflect on their achievements. They should properly evaluate themselves and the institution and be proud for coming so far and make remarkable gains in the educational sector and contributions made by the various societies of students who have passed through the institution.

In his welcome address , tributes and reflection, Ibrahim Mohamed Janjua  said before the advent of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Sierra Leone in 1937, Islam as a region was practiced by the majority of  the people, but was wrapped in secrecy and myth .” our Holy Book , the Holy Quran is not to be seen or touched read  by all.  The most damaging belief in those days was the notion that one cannot combine Western education and Islam and that the total denial of education to Muslim girls and women.” He said, Ahmadiyya in Sierra Leone brought a fresh breath of air for Islam .You the Ahmadiyya must have completely demystified Islam and education in Islam and in the process, you have saved us all.” 

He said during the Principalship of the Guest of Honor Mr. Akhtar has scored success upon success which is unprecedented in the history of the School.  Mr. Akhtar’s skills and abilities to hold together a desperate sect of mortals, and also get them to perform at the highest level is a testimony to the Guest’s mastering of art of administration and leadership in general.

The Amir and missionary in charge Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Sierra Leone, Amir Saeedur –Rehman in his statement reflected on the early days of the Ahmadiyya missionary activities in the country in the early 1970s reminding the people of the constraints the missionaries were faced with. He went on to sacrifice and helped people they met, and therefore called on them to offer sacrifice according to him that is the only way they can succeed as Muslims.

The principal of the school Mr. Ishmael Nallo thanked his colleague old students and Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for making it possible to be present and the part played by them for the successful organization of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the institution they can be proud of.

He said that the Ahmadiyya Mission places priority on good education as a means of adding value to life and understanding Allah.” This was the philosophy that guided the establishment of mission schools as far back as the 90s, which brought together children from diverse backgrounds and train them in an atmosphere of tolerance and recognition of unity in diversity”. He said

In his key note address, the Guest Speaker former Principal Bashir Ahmad Akhtar recalled the year 1960, which he said should be remembered with great, respect and pride as negotiations for the independence of the country were at its height and also because it brought glad tidings to the less favored public of this country and the  Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Bo was established to fulfill the educational needs of those who had lost hope in sending their children to good school in their life time.

He said the birth of the school was a new dawn of a new era in which people of this country were assured admission to the school irrespective of their religion and faith. …amidst difficult circumstances the school continued to make progress in all sectors including extra-curricular activities. The school has made great strides, which he said he can visualize the activities they had made since 1985 to date that warrants the celebration of the Silver Jubilee.” He reminded them that as they celebrate the Golden Jubilee they should not ignore accountability which leads every one to further progress and expansion. The library, he said should be in position to fulfill the needs of both the teachers and the children they teach.

The administration,   Members of the Board and the old students must sit together to sort out their weaknesses, which is always challenging and find   solution to them.”  The Guest Speaker said used the occasion to present to the school, computers and other accessories, books other items to one-half of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. Presentations of prizes to deserving pupils climaxed the celebration.

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