Monrovia – The opposition political party, the Alternative National Congress’ (ANC) Social Welfare Department on Monday, October 7, donated L$318,250 to victims of the fire disaster which claimed the lives of 28 Liberians at an Islamic Quranic learning center in Bassa Community, Redlight, Paynesville. The tragedy occurred Wednesday, September 18, 2019.
The money was presented at the United Dawah Ummah Mosque on 17th Street in Sinkor, where memorial service for the deceased was held before they were taken to the Islamic gravesite in the Old Road Community for interment on the same day.
The victims, 26 kids, were between the ages 12 and 18 as well. Also included in the tragic deaths, were two instructors.
Mr. Fubbi Henries, Acting Chairman of ANC’s Social Welfare Department, said the party said the party was heartbroken, too, upon hearing of the tragic incident.
According to him, ANC believes that those young Liberians were now in the bosom of Almighty Allah because they had dedicated their time to studying His words before their untimely deaths in the inferno.
He spoke on behalf of ANC’s partisans and Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, the party’s political leader, who was one of few politicians, who had attended the memorial service at the 17th Street Mosque for the deceased.
“We regret the losses. This is the reason why we have come to say sorry with our little contribution,” Henries said
Mr. Belleh Diallo, who received the donation on behalf of the bereaved families, said the death of the kids was painful. However, he stressed that as a believer, “We understand that the will of Mighty Allah cannot be avoided.”
According to Diallo, the continued presence of President George Weah and the Christian Community since the tragic incident, shows that Liberians have religious tolerance. For his, this also proves that Liberians are all children of Abraham.
He thanked the ANC for identifying with the bereaved families in such a time, adding that the Muslim Community accepts the will of Allah.
Alhussine Sow, Imam of the United Dawah Ummah Mosque, said they were not surprised of the ANC’s contribution. Imam Sow praised the party for its thoughts towards the deceased, adding: “It is not about the money.”
The Islamic cleric prayed that Allah will have mercy on anyone who might have had anything to do with the kids’ death if their death was human making.