Look people, we are filled with so much mixed emotions here, that it is going to take a long time to recovered along with forgiveness. Here in Lofa, we have tried to rebuilt relatonships with our neighbors regardless of tribe or relagious bakground and, it is so sad. So, so sad, that all we have worked for have in one day, been distroyed by some elements who did not want to see the peace and this city(Voinjama ) bounce back to it's pre- war days. Voinjama, was the most tolerent City of religiousity in Liberia until 1990. A population of about 30,000 in 1989,we live in harmony with our Muslims brothers. And to see people just go around and starts burning churches because, they heared one Kamara was killed in Konia, and thought it was a muslim girl, is so uncomprehenable.Kamara's in North western Liberia(Lofa, Gboupulu,Bomi and Parts of Cape mount), could be Christians also just as many other names that are popular among Muslims including Kromah's and Dolley's just to name a few. And they are also names that can not be linked to one tribe. Many Vai Gbande and Mande are also called Kamara,Kromah, and Sheriff just to name a few names. And they may be Christians or muslims also, just as many Mindingoes now are Chritians.So it is a shame that some of us are still living in the 1700s. The mosque in Konia was nevered damage until the Students heared that they were burning churches in Voinjama. Initially, after those kids(students) in Konia discovered their school mate body, Korpu Kamara, in the yard of the mosques with parts of her taken out for ratualistic purposes, they only went around the mosque demostrating. They did not burn anything here. They were only shuting, Justice! Justice! we want justice! It was friday. And friday is Voinjama Market day. Two Market women from the town got onboard a passenger vehicle heading north to Voinjama. They (Lorma Market women), were asked why the students were demostrating for? The women said, " they killed one Kamara" and that is why they are demostrating. That news some how probably from an ignorant person, did reach all the Mosques in Voinjama city by someone else in the car, and so did the Violence erupted. No question was asked if the girl was muslim, or a christian, or if the mosque was damage or not. Not any back ground investigation. The Catholic Church and It's School which is loacated on the boundary of Mandingo quarter and the far North Voinjama community, was the first to be attacked. Imagine,one of the best schools in the County, that have produce great and productive citizens of Liberia be it Muslim or Christian.I even learned about Islam at that school. As all other Christian schools in the town including, the Swedish mission that is run by the Voinjama Pentacostal church, that was the second on their prayer list to burn down. This is what led to Christians and even nor Christians retaliation againt those mosques. However, the Pakistianis Contigent of the United Nations had other plans. Their plans was to allow the tention to rise just like Rwanda, because, they " had to wait for orders from Monrovia." While excombatants (formal Lurd)rebels went into their treasure houses, bringing, out AK 47 and wahtsoever old weapons, they have used in the past to kill innocent civilians, who were going about their normal bussinesses.

My plead is to President Sirleaf, and the United Nations cheif in Liberia; Please change these parkistianians here in Voinjama, and bring a neutral force of both christians and Muslim from a mixture of countries. No matter were they are from, Ghana, Ethiopia,China, India or Nigeria or were ever. I remember their first development to Voinjama was the renovation of the central Mosque. The raod from Gbanga to Zorzor was quickly rehabilitated by the Bangladish in that area but, it took one and half years after the U.N deployed in Lofa, before the Pakistinians ever touch roads in upper Lofa. They have accomplish their mission in Lofa,that is paid for by Uncle Sam(U.S.A). The Pakistinians troops here in Voinjama, does not know what is called religious tolerance. Just like in Pakistan, there are religious extremism that gave birth to all kinds of extremist. Voinjama must be healed. These people Saw the Catholic Church and Mission on fire, they saw The Pentacostal Church on fire, and the S.D.A mission on fire and did nothing. They had a mandate to keep the peace and they failed. I want to see us shacking hands with one another like before.Flomo wants to go and visit Fofana. Kumba and Saba wants Haija and fatumata to join the St. joseph Cathlic school Kickball team. Please, please, please hurry. All else, Voinjama that was just called the example of religious tolerance in Africa by BBC last year, will be a bad root that may cause religious violence, to spread to Other parts of the country; causing dis- stability due to religious extremism. If not taggeted now, may lead to another civil war. May God bless our country and gave us wisdom in dealing with such sensitive issues.

BEWARE LIBERIAN. The situations in Lofa county is another awakinning especially for Bong, Nimba etc. these people has strong hatard in for us. They don't investigate if the information was relay by muslim. Most of the Peace Keeper has lots, and lots of trouble in their home country due to misinformation..... they don't investigate. Our law is too slow,too cold,too relax so, we.re not going anywere until otherwise, if people are convicted and send behind bar for ten or 25 years for intentionally donig stopid things, our people will learn from it.

MY FELLOW LOFANS:

Let us try to appreciate and thank the PEACE KEPEERS for the many humanitarian sacrifices that they are providing to Liberia. They are in Liberia to restore peace and stability, and promote democratic values. It is just wrong to blame them for the violence in Voinjama because the violence was started by our fellow Lofans. We need to base our discussions on facts and not Ethnic Emotions and silly beliefs.

Regarding Superintendent Galakpa remarks, the Peace Keepers did not comply with his orders because they are not answerable to him or his appointer. The Peace Keepers take orders only from their bosses in Monrovia or New York or their home countries, so Galakpa needs to stop making unnecessary noise at Citizens Meetings. As Superintendent, he needs to be neutral and does not side with his Lorma tribe. In addition, the Superintendent needs to promote peace and not hate and crimes. The Lorma Citizens of Lofa do not have the power to call for the replacement of the Peace Keepers, so they need to think about solving the problems in Voinjama.

If Mosques were destroyed by the Enemies of Islam, then the Muslims had the right to retaliate and defend themselves against all forms of aggressions. Why will Muslims be asked to explain the circumstances regarding Miss Kamara alleged Murder? They should have contacted the Police and not taking the laws into their hands. Lofa does not belong to one tribe, so we all need to work together.

Thanks, Molly Gbandi

You are hundred percent correct Fofie. Lofa does not belong to one tribe or religion and so,no one religion or tribe should go around burning people churhes when their Mosques were never burned in the first place.And the district in which they heared the rumors were not even touch. Even if there was going to be a burning, the Churches in Voinjama did not do anything and so, it was not justify to attack them. Only rebels and extremist can go around, and start burning with out investigating what they heared. We have laws in Liberia that are to be fully abide by. And if anyone chooses to take the law in their own hands, and burn churches and chased law makers out of the Voinjama city hall, Just like Pakistan and Afganistan; you know the four letter Word.They should be prosecuted by the law in which they broked.That will serve as a detourant for any other illresponsible incident or retaliation. You know past,present and future History..........