Liberia’s Chief Imam, Sheikh Ali Krayee, has strongly cautioned Muslims across the country against resisting law enforcement following a tense standoff in the Red Light community on Monday, where police officers acting on orders of the Supreme Court clashed with residents over a land dispute. The confrontation reportedly resulted in the burning of a store and heightened religious and community tensions. The incident arose from a long-running dispute between two Muslim groups over ownership of a piece of land that hosts a mosque. The Supreme Court of Liberia recently issued an eviction order in favor of one of the parties, instructing the Sheriff to transfer the property to the legitimate owner.
When the Sheriff and accompanying police officers attempted to enforce the ruling, they were met with resistance from occupants on the land, sparking unrest in the area. Chief Imam Krayee condemned the confrontation and stressed that no Muslim should obstruct the lawful decisions of the state. “All Muslims should condemn anybody who seeks to resist the enforcement of law because we cannot live in a chaotic society. We must be law-abiding in keeping with the teachings of Islam,” he stated.
The Chief Imam explained that the Supreme Court Justice handling the matter had earlier invited him, along with the conflicting parties, including Imam Abu Kamara, for discussions aimed at ensuring peaceful compliance with the Court’s ruling. These meetings, held between late September and early October, resulted in an understanding that both groups would honor the Court’s decision. He also noted that because the mosque sits on the disputed land, he personally assured the parties he would help negotiate to ensure the mosque would remain intact and operational.
A follow-up meeting at the Muslim Congress of Liberia further reinforced commitments from both sides to allow a peaceful enforcement of the ruling. However, while the Chief Imam was out of the country, he received reports that the occupants had again resisted law enforcement officers attempting to carry out the Court’s order, contrary to the agreed understanding. Expressing frustration over the continued defiance, Imam Krayee emphasized that adherence to lawful authority remains a core Islamic principle. “We are law-abiding citizens. This is what our religion teaches us,” he said.
“Even if Muslims were not involved, we cannot be lawless people. It is completely wrong to resist the enforcement of a Supreme Court mandate.” He added that upon his return, he discovered the situation had escalated further, prompting him to make a public appeal for calm and respect for the rule of law. He discouraged all forms of political manipulation or religious sentiment that could inflame the situation. “The law must be obeyed. We call on everybody to adhere to the teachings of Islam and to obey the laws of Liberia,” he said. “Anybody who acts contrary I'm sorry to say you are on your own. The Muslim Ummah cannot stand by you.” Imam Krayee closed his remarks by offering peace and blessings to all Liberians, both Muslims and non-Muslims, and reaffirmed that no religious justification exists for resisting lawful judicial action.
Author: Zac T. Sherman
