Muslim Students Comment on Christians' Petition

The National Muslim Students Association of Liberia (NAMSAL) is closely following developments in the country, particularly on the recent petition by a Christian group to the National Legislature, which calls for an amendment in the Constitution of Liberia that will include a provision declaring Liberia as a 'Christian State'.

According to a Press Statement issued yesterday, the Muslim Students said "NAMSAL respects and upholds the constitutional rights of any individual, civil or religious groups to make petitions for laws that protect their own interests; however NAMSAL equally believes that it is the responsibility of the Legislature and other state institutions to make laws that protect the national interest because national laws are not to be based on exclusionary policies, but must be reflective of the collective ownership of all groups in the nation.

"This statement is not a reaction to the petition by the Christian group, a right we fully respect; but it is an initial reaction to statements from two lawmakers, Rep. Gabriel Nyekan and Sen. Clarice Jah, who have declared support for said petition and had promised to make sure that this petition is quickly processed and enacted in preparations for a referendum.

"The statements of the two lawmakers are driven by sentiments based on religious extremism and are counter-productive to the national interest. Liberian leaders, particularly Hon. Nyekan and Hon. Jah must be taught that when state institutions are used as vehicles to disenfranchise, marginalized, and impose religious beliefs on people, they equally undermine national unity and democracy.

We see the statements of the lawmakers as not only a threat to Muslims and other religious groups, but as a national security threat, which must claim the immediate attention of all actors who have been engaged with building peace and democracy in Liberia.

"The National Muslim Students Association of Liberia will continue to follow the process, and we will mobilize Liberian Muslims to peacefully challenge any such act of institutionalized marginalization, intolerance and growing religious extremism in the State structures of Liberia.

 We cannot be deceived that if Liberia is declared a religious state under claims of a particular religious group will be a nation of tolerance as conjectured by Hon. Nyekan. We are fully aware of the consequences such might have on Muslims, and the precedents it will set for the future exclusions of other groups, in the collective ownership and participation in the Liberian nation.

"Lastly, we reemphasize that this issue must be considered a national security threat, and must therefore not be given a place in the political debates of this country.

There are more challenging  issues facing Liberia, which our lawmakers need to address, and we believe that Liberia can achieve more if our lawmakers focus on making laws that promote national cohesion, peace and development, rather than sinking into religious extremism aimed at undermining the fragile peace and stability of the nation", the Press Statement signed by NAMSAL Secretary General Abdullah Swaray concluded.