President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf this week began identifying with Liberian Muslims as they observe the Holy Month of Ramadan.

More than 68 mosques in an around Montserrado County have received several hundred bags of rice.

The exercise, an Executive Mansion release says, is expected to be extended to Bomi County and other areas in Western Liberia.

In remarks on behalf of the President during a presentation ceremony at the Benson Street Mosque, Assistant Minister for Logistics at the Ministry of State, Mr. Varney Sirleaf, said the donation was a gesture of the President to identify with Muslims during this period of fasting.

Mr. Sirleaf said that although President Johnson Sirleaf is a Christian, identifying with Muslims is in itself a gesture of reconciliation with her brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith. "She is interested in working with all Liberians irrespective of tribe, creed or religious affiliation," Mr. Sirleaf reminded Muslims.

He observed that it has now become a tradition for the Liberian leader to share with members of the Islamic Community in Liberia every year during the Holy Month of Ramadan, and assured Muslims that the President will continue to create the conditions for religious tolerance and harmony in the country.

Mr. Sirleaf, who is himself a Muslim, emphasized that although there were many Muslims in Liberia, the donations are meant for Muslims observing the Fast Month and Muslims who often go to the mosques for worship and attend Friday prayers.

The consignment of rice was received, on behalf of Chief Imam Alhaji Vanmuyan Nyei, by Mr. Mohammed A. Sheriff, Deputy Imam of the Benson Street Mosque, and Sheikh Abubarkar Sumawolo, Head Imam of the Gurley Street Mosque and Grant Mufti of Liberia.

They commended the Liberian leader for the donations and prayed for God's continuous protection upon the President as she steers the affairs of State.

They stated that the donation was the latest of several made by the President during the Fast Month of Ramadan, and expressed delight over the equal treatment the President is according all Liberians of different faiths.

"Whenever our time comes, she is always identifying with us Muslims; and when time reaches for the Christian faith, she would also do the same thing for them," the Muslim clergyman pointed out.