Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) has strongly condemned a reported same-sex marriage that allegedly took place on Friday, 12 September 2025, in Waterloo, Western Area Rural District.
In a statement released over the weekend, the Council said the incident “undermines the moral standards and religious teachings that guide the peace and harmony of our nation,” stressing that Sierra Leone’s cultural and religious values do not recognise or permit same-sex unions.
“Sierra Leone is a nation founded on strong cultural, religious, and moral values,” the IRCSL said. “Both Christianity and Islam, the dominant faiths in the country, uphold marriage as a sacred union between a man and a woman; therefore, this recent incident stands in direct contradiction to the spiritual, moral, and cultural fabric of our society.”
While reaffirming its commitment to tolerance and peaceful coexistence, the Council warned that “no action should be taken that openly disregards our laws, religious doctrines, and traditions.”
The IRCSL also confirmed that internal checks show “beyond all reasonable doubt” that no recognised Imam within its membership was involved in the ceremony. It called on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and “take appropriate action in accordance with the laws of Sierra Leone.”
The Council further clarified that “not every religious leader’s act is of the IRCSL membership,” and urged all faith leaders to remain “faithful and committed to the cardinal principles of the Council.”
“As a Council, we remain committed to working with government, civil society, and communities to preserve and protect the spiritual and moral integrity of our beloved nation,” the statement concluded.
