By: Abdul Razack Gbla
The Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT), through its West Africa Relief Development Association (WARDA), has concluded a three-day national capacity-building retreat for Islamic educators.
The event took place from December 26 to 28, 2025, at Darul Uloom Raheemia Masjid Yusuf in Macdonald, Waterloo, near Freetown.
The retreat brought together over 2,500 teachers from Katateeb (Islamic learning centres) and Tahfeez (Qur’an memorisation) centres across Sierra Leone, alongside partners from the United Kingdom and Pakistan. Participants hailed from Freetown, Bo, Makeni, Magburaka, Kono, Bonthe, Port Loko, Kenema, Moyamba, and Pujehun.
Designed to strengthen human capacity in support of national development, the programme focused on Qur’anic tarbiyah, leadership development, and institutional effectiveness. Sessions deepened participants’ understanding of Qur’anic principles and promoted their practical application in both personal and organisational contexts.
The retreat also reviewed the previous year’s achievements, identified areas for improvement, and developed strategies to enhance community impact.
The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr Juldeh Jalloh, and Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji-Kella, attended the second day of the retreat, commending UWT for its sustained contributions to education and social development.
Prominent Islamic scholars, including Sheikh Farouk Adam and Dr Ibrahim Salieu Kamara, also delivered lectures highlighting leadership, accountability, and unity within the Ummah.
Established in 2001, UWT is a UK-based international relief and development charity. In Sierra Leone, in partnership with WARDA, it implements initiatives in education, humanitarian relief, and WASH programmes.
Through its Katateeb programme, UWT supports over 56,000 students across 14 districts.
Organisers described the retreat as a reaffirmation of UWT’s commitment to the development of the Muslim community, concluding with prayers for continued success and divine reward for the Trust and its partners.
