Prior to making the journey to the holy land Mecca, he was known as Ibrahim Tejan Savage. But after having fulfilled all the rites of the pilgrimage, he earned the Muslim title - Alhaji. And so to honor him for having reached a very important milestone as a devout Muslim, family and friends gathered at the Habor Point Community Hall in Boston on Sunday, December 5, 2010. They gathered to formally welcome a brother, a friend and an outstanding leader in the Sierra Leonean community in Boston - Alhaji Ibrahim Tejan Savage.
Well-known in Boston as a deeply religious person, Alhaji Ibrahim Tejan Savage (photo) is a founding member of the Boston Muslim Jamaat-African Islamic Society- of which he is the Deputy Imam. A positive influence on the youth, he has inspired many to embrace Islam. Aside from his involvement with the Muslim Jamaat, he has been actively involved in other community organizations aimed at bringing Sierra Leoneans together for the progress and development of Sierra Leone.
It was therefore not surprising when many Sierra Leoneans – Muslims as well as Christians – gathered at the famous Harbor Point to give him a hero’s welcome. Some even traveled all the way from Washington to be part of the welcoming ceremony that was characterized by the singing of Islamic songs and the recitation of verses from the Quran – the Muslim Holy Book.
The Muslim welcoming ceremony started with an opening prayer by Imam Mohamed Aziz. This was immediately followed by a welcoming song by the Women’s Jamaat of the African Islamic Society. Sister Sana Tall-Smith, a member of the Fourah Bay Foundation, New Jersey, and Sister Nthuma of Boston, sang a song glorifying Allah for making it possible for Alhaji Ibrahim Tejan Savage to make it to the holy land.
Sister Hajaratu Khazali, also of the Fourah Bay Foundation, sang an Islamic song to welcome Alhaji Ibrahim Savage. The Children of Alhaji Savage; Haja, Mariama, Kiptieu - also sang a song in praise of the prophet Mohamed (on whom be peace and blessing of God).
The chairman at the Muslim welcoming ceremony was Alhaji Aniru Amid Bakarr from New Jersey. In his opening remarks, he said “making the pilgrimage to Mecca is a requirement for all Muslims who have the financial means and who are also in good health.” Alhaji Bakarr was introduced by Mr. Abdul Sesay. Colonel Lansana Turay - a household name among Sierra Leoneans in Boston - gave the welcoming address while Mr. Ahmad Mustapha from New Jersey spoke on behalf of the family of Alhaji Ibrahim Tejan Savage. “We as a family are exceedingly happy and proud of you for what you have done,” he said.
Mr. Mohamed Barrie, President of the African Islamic Society, spoke on behalf of the Boston Jamaat. He spoke glowingly about his Muslim brother and friend of many years, attesting to his tremendous effort in the propagation of Islam. In his address to all those who came to honor him Alhaji Ibrahim Tejan Savage thanked everyone for the show of love and support. He recounted his journey to the holy land; the fascinating experience he had; the spiritual uplifting. “It was a wonderful experience,” he said. He urged all Muslims who have the financial wherewithal to make it a point of duty to visit the holy land. The vote of thanks was given by his lovely wife Bomporo F. Savage She expressed her immense thanks and appreciation to everyone for the wonderful show of support, especially those from afar who came to grace the occasion. Alhaji Dyfan, Haja Ramatu Turay and Mrs. Neneh Mustapha were among the religious dignitaries that graced the event.
Born in Freetown, Alhaji Ibrahim Tejan Savage was educated at both the Sierra Leone Muslim Congress Secondary School and the Saint Helena Secondary School in Freetown. While in school, he proved to be a very good athlete. He was goal keeper for Mighty Blackpool - one of Sierra Leone’s oldest football teams. Fired by a strong determination to improve his socio-economic well-being he left Sierra Leone in the early 80’s. He went first to West Germany before eventually coming to the United States.
A resident of Boston for the past twenty years, he graduated from Roxbury Community College with an associate degree in Liberal Arts. He went on to Suffolk University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BS/BA). At Lesley University, where he pursued his graduate studies, he obtained a master’s in Cultural Relations/Conflict Resolutions. He is currently working for the State of Massachusetts Department of Labor.
A community and political activist, he was Coordinator of the Refugee and Immigration Program in Boston. “The program was of great benefit to many Sierra Leoneans who entered the US as refugees – from the completion of the appropriate documents, job training to employment,” he disclosed in a brief telephone discussion. Alhaji Ibrahim Tejan Savage served as president of the African American Friendship and also as president of the Sierra Leone Cultural Organization in Boston. A founding member of the All People’s Congress in Boston, he was president of the Boston Chapter before the 2007 General Election that brought the APC back to power.
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