Let Mohammed Kenneh's Legacy Live On

Monday, December 24, 2007/ Writes Musa Fofana, Atlanta, GA

 

 

Author: Hon. Musa Fofana

A large community like ours (the Mandingo Community) needs a resourceful atmosphere in order to possess our rightful place in society. When we (Mandingoes) began our mass influx into the United States of America during the mid 90’s, we demonstrated a dependability status to our broader society back home.

 

Since that time we have individually contributed economically to the survivor of our people in refugee camps and other places immensely. Our generation and that of our predecessors have proven on numerous occasions that we can become a stronger force (in Liberia) than what we are now.

 

Let me allude to some as examples: the funeral ceremony of the late Brother Mohamed Kenneh in Philadelphia, PA served as an awakening trumpet to the importance of our unity which the fallen brother always advocated for. Since his passing, his legacy still flourishes in the minds of so many of us, who always feel his presence among us. (May the almighty Allah continue to bless his soul, Amen).

 

The unprecedented number of people who turned out for his funeral was an indication of the fact that our unity is the most effective paradigm towards the formation of a vibrant society that we envision as Mandingoes. The historic FELMAUSA convention held in Philadelphia in late July 2007 was another expression on the part of the grass root that it is time to collectively change the state of affairs in our community.

What actually prompted me to write this article is the manner in which the Mandingo community in Atlanta handled the funeral arrangements of my late sister Makangbeh Fofana. The Atlanta Mandingo Association took the full charge of the funeral; contributions were made by the broader Mandingo Community. Had it not been the peaceful co-existence of the Mandingo Community in Atlanta, the initiative undertaken by the Atlanta Mandingo Association wouldn’t have been as successful as it was.

Our community is in daring need of such collective approach. If the entire Mandingo society can formulate such mechanism towards every aspect of our community endeavors, we will always emerge victorious and successful in providing community services to the fullest. This is in consonant to the sayings of the prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) when he said “… your (Muslims) strength is in your unity and your weakness is in your disperse … “

Our community is an integral part of the broad spectrum of the Liberian society, therefore it is incumbent on us to participate (at the highest level) in every community building in the post war Liberia. And the most effective tools that we can use to fulfill such aspiration is for us to promote our unity among ourselves before we export our kind hearts towards the rest of our compatriots.

In conclusion, let us consider the overall interest of our community and forget about our personal interests so that we can move forward.