University Bids Sofla farewell
The Academic Staff of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies has bade farewell to the out going Iranian Cultural Chancellor Mr. Mohamed Ghezla Sofla at a ceremony held in his honor at the Fourah Bay College on Tuesday 1st April, 2014.
In his remarks the Dean of Pure and Applied Sciences Prof. Babatunde Karim on behalf of the Deputy Vice Chancellor thanked the out going Iranian Cultural Chancellor and Lecturer for his selfless service to the University. He said that though it is not part of his mandate as a Diplomat to lecture in the University, he gave his service free of cost and also giving assistance to students and lecturers to enable them pursue their academic work.
Prof. Babatunde Karim noted that the University really appreciate the modules thought by Mr. Sofla especially Persian History. He prayed there would be someone to fill his gap . He recounted his good work with the Islamic Community and the nation at large by providing free computing and tailoring classes.
Prof. Babatunde Karim cited in the Holy Quran in Sura Ibrahim which reads “’If you are grateful I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’ He also noted that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through his sayings made it quite clear that expressing our gratitude to Allah by thanking Him also involves that we thank people who do us favors. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said as narrated by Abu Hurairah: “He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah”.
In his remarks the Dean of Faculty of Art Dr. Leopold Foullah said that Mr. Sofla has the passion of teaching and he is serviceable to the university. He recalled his tenure as Head of the Philosophy and Religious Department working with Mr. Sofla as there was no line of demarcation or protocol to go through his office.
In her remarks Dr. Olivia K. Ceesay described Mr. Sofla as a brother, father and mentor, according to her his generosity is well known as he will give financial incentive to those who perform academically excellent. She said though a Christian, she will miss his Islamic touch and enrichment of the modules he offered in the Islamic Department and noted that his gap will be difficult to fill as he always offer solace and refuge to anyone who needed it.
In his remarks, the outgoing Iranian Cultural Chancellor Mr. Mohammed Ghezla Sofla expressed his gratitude to the entire University for their warm reception. He described Sierra Leone as top in terms of Hospitality, peace, tolerance, faith and hardworking. He said though he is going, his heart and mind is in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Sofla assured the University authorities that his successor Dr. Mohamed Marefat is also a Diplomat and Lecturer, and he will help in the area of lecturing Persian History as he was lecturing at the Tehran University. He blamed himself for not doing more for the people of the country despite that they really appreciated the little he gave to the people.
The program was chaired by the Dean of Post Graduate Studies Prof. Joe A.D. Allie who said that Mr. Sofla went beyond offering free service to the University but will provide basic things like chairs etc. Other speakers at the ceremony were Reverend Bunduka, Former Ambassador to Iran, Haja Alari Cole and the Principal of the Islamic College Dr. Jawad Raghavi who lauded the people of Sierra Leone for honoring one of their renowned Iranian Diplomat.
By: Alhaji Mohamed Wusha-Conteh
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