Documenting the formation, humanitarian service, and legacy of the Sierra Leone Assembly of Muslim Youth
From crisis response in 1991 to sustained humanitarian impact through post-war reconstruction
The Sierra Leone Assembly of Muslim Youth (SLAMY) was founded in 1991 following the outbreak of the civil conflict that began in March of the same year. At a time when state institutions were overwhelmed and communities fractured, a group of Sierra Leonean Muslim youths—many of whom were studying in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries—recognized the urgent need for an organized humanitarian and spiritual response.
SLAMY was established as a non-political, faith-based organization with the primary objective of alleviating suffering, promoting unity, and supporting war-affected populations irrespective of ethnic or regional identity.
March 1991 marked the beginning of a brutal civil war that would devastate Sierra Leone for over a decade, displacing hundreds of thousands and destroying critical infrastructure.
In its early years, SLAMY focused on emergency relief operations. These included the distribution of food items, clothing, essential drugs, Islamic educational materials, and spiritual support to displaced persons across multiple districts.
In 1994, SLAMY was formally registered with the Department of Internal Affairs and Rural Development and the Department of Economic Planning, solidifying its legal standing as a recognized non-governmental organization.
Registration Numbers:
A defining milestone in SLAMY's institutional development was its affiliation with the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Through this partnership, SLAMY accessed international humanitarian networks, material support, and institutional legitimacy.
Sheikh Osman Mohamed Gbessay was officially authorized to represent WAMY in Sierra Leone, facilitating youth services, Islamic centers, and community-based initiatives.
Access to international Islamic humanitarian networks
Material and financial support channels
Islamic educational resources and materials
Technical capacity building support
As the conflict intensified, Sierra Leone witnessed large-scale destruction in human and material terms. The May 25, 1997 military coup further destabilized the nation, leading to massive displacement of populations to neighboring Guinea. The January 6, 1999 invasion of Freetown marked one of the darkest moments of the conflict, with over 10,000 deaths and widespread destruction.
As the conflict intensified, SLAMY expanded its operations to include cross-border refugee assistance in Guinea. The organization collaborated with entities such as the Sierra Leone Muslim Missionaries Union, the Red Cross, and international student organizations.
2,000+ Refugees
Between August and September 1998, SLAMY successfully facilitated the repatriation of over 2,000 Sierra Leonean refugees from Conakry to Freetown, marking one of its most significant humanitarian achievements.
Following the restoration of democratic governance and the end of active conflict, SLAMY redirected its focus toward post-war reconstruction and sustainable development. This period saw a transition from emergency relief to capacity-building and community empowerment initiatives.
Built and rehabilitated mosques in war-affected communities
Organized Sierra Leone's first nationwide annual Quranic recitation competition, enabling many young people to advance their studies abroad
Comprehensive programs to develop the next generation of community leaders
Support for productive farming and livestock rearing to improve livelihoods
Financial and material support for Islamic education and scholarship
Despite its strong track record and proven impact, SLAMY gradually became dormant due to insufficient funding for operational costs, logistics, and staffing.
Dormancy does not indicate institutional failure or collapse. Rather, it represents a temporary pause in active operations due to external constraints—primarily financial sustainability challenges common to many indigenous NGOs operating in post-conflict environments.
The absence of sustainable financial support—including operational costs for office maintenance, staff salaries, transportation, and program implementation— made it increasingly difficult to maintain active programming. This challenge is not unique to SLAMY; many indigenous NGOs face similar sustainability issues in the post-conflict development phase when international donor attention shifts elsewhere.
Today, SLAMY seeks to regain its operational capacity—not to start anew, but to build upon decades of experience, documented achievements, and established trust within Sierra Leone's Muslim community and beyond.
33+ years of documented humanitarian service
Official government registration and international partnerships
Decades of faithful service to war-affected populations
Deep understanding of local context and community needs
This digital platform serves as a gateway for transparency, historical preservation, and renewed engagement with donors, partners, and the global Muslim community.