Liberian clergyman Rev Lemuel Harris of the Wesleyan Church, who is himself a Marylander, led the prayer attended by an array of citizens and Maryland County officials, including County Superintendent Nazerine Brewer Tubman and Senior Senator John Ballout.

Rev. Harris admonished Marylanders to desist from ritualistic killings and other unsavory activities that have the propensity to stall the development and growth of the county.

He said Marylanders living outside of the county, including the diaspora, are afraid to go home upon hearing about these activities in the county.

In brief remarks, Senator Ballout commended the organizers of the occasion and urged Marylanders to respect one another and unite to attain its development agenda of the county.

LINA JNB/TSS/PTK