MONROVIA – Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe says he has been threatening text messages due to his legislative advocacy for three religious holidays two of which would benefit people of the Islamic faith.
At a news conference on Thursday, Senator Snowe said he is not moved by those threats, rather he is disappointed that some of the people texting him are people of the Christian community, some of whom, he said, he holds in high esteem.
“I will choose not to dignify some of the messages but honestly I was disappointed because some of the text message were from some of the clergymen I hold in high esteem. I am not easily frightened or threatened. It is their right; I am a politician and as one I don’t always expect to be hailed for some of the things I do by everyone,” he said.
As a member of the Legislature with more years of experience, Snowe said, “I have been in this job for over 16 years, I am not intimidated easily. I understand the passion in which some of our brothers in the Christian community speak from and it’s their rights; I don’t fault anyone for expressing their rights but I also want them understand that where their rights end is where mine begins.
“Where the rights Christianity end is where the rights of Islamic starts. I am just from campaign in Bomi and these are some of the request they made during campaign and this is in fulfillment of commitment I made to them it is left with my colleagues to agree with me or not I have only one vote.”
“Just as I represent my Christian constituency in Bomi I am also representing my Muslim community so, if they petition me to do something it is also far to do it. This bill is not intended to cause confusion.”
Meanwhile the proposed bills got its first reading on Thursday and is expected to be brought back for second reading before decision are finally taken.
The proposed acts include; An Act Making Easter Monday a Public Holiday”, “An Act Making Eid al-Adha (Abraham’s Day) a public Holiday”, “An Act Making Eid al-Fitr (End of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Festival of Breaking Fast) a Public Holiday.
In recent years, Muslims have advocated for the legislation of a day to be set aside as holiday for Muslims in Liberia for the celebration of their holy month which includes; Eid al-Adha (Abraham’s Day) and Eid al-Fitr (End of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Festival of Breaking Fast).
In 2020, a group under the banner, the Movement for Islamic Holidays in Liberia called on the Legislature to pass into law two major Islamic festivals – Eid al-Fitr, known as Ramadan Day and Eid al-Adha also called Abraham day as national holidays.
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