The Elders of the independence drive Mosque in Banjul, led by Alhagi Makumba Jaye, chairman and head Imam of the Mosque, under the permanent distinguished chief patronage of his Excellency Alhagi Dr. Yahya AJJ Jammeh, president of the Republic of The Gambia, held their annual Gamo on the 6th of June 2008, according to a report from the committee of that Mosque. 

The guest speaker of the occasion was Alhagi Abdul Aziz Sy jnr, spokesperson of the Khalifa General of the Tijanniya Serign Mansour Sy and family of Alhagi Malick Sy of Twaoune.  And, the report went on, in the first of its kind, high profile figures from key Christian denominations in the persons of Bishop Solomon Tilewa Johnson and father Edu Gomez, the latter being the representative of Bishop Elison, were at hand to grace the occasion. According to the report, on arrival in Banjul, on the 5th of Friday, June 2008, the guests from Twaoune performed prayers at the State House Mosque, which was followed by recitations of the Holy Qur’an, at the independence drive Mosque. Prayers were also offered for the people of the Gambia as well as for President Jammeh and his family and for the entire world.

The report further stated that the Gamo, which started at 10:30pm, lasted until 5:00am with preaching by Tamsir Gai, who headed a delegation from Thies in Senegal.

The topic of discussion was how peace could be shared amongst the people of this world, with reference to Prophet Mouhammad (SAWs) who is said to have been given this peace to spread to his people.

Islam, the report declared, is a religion of peace not of terrorism; and that it calls on other religions to live in peace and understanding. Quoting a verse from the Holy Qur’an, the report said: “If there is peace, Islam wants us to be in good terms with the other religions, if they are not out to destroy us. (Stated  in Sura Muntahave) (60th Sura) v.8-9.

The relationship between Muslims and Christians was also discussed at the Gamo, with emphasis on the respect the religion of Islam has for Christianity as well as common attributes of the two religions. The distinguished scholars argued that this is manifested by the mentioning of Mariam (Mary) and prophet Essa (Jesus), in the Holy Qur’an.

At the home front, the scholars sought to remind participants that the Christian and Muslim communities in Banjul were related by blood, and that government had given each religion the freedom to practice.

They took the opportunity to convey profound gratitude to the Gambian leader, who they said gave them his moral and financial support, by offering a bull and an amount of money for the occasion.

Imam Alhagi Tafsir Gaye, special speaker and coordinator of the occasion, congratulated president Jammeh on his 43rd birthday, observing that Jammeh corresponds to 43 in the Arabic calculation, with Geem meaning (3), and Meem meaning (40), which equals to 43 years.

“We are praying that president Jammeh will live for many years as head of state of the Gambia.” Imam Jay extended a special gratitude to their Christian brothers, saying that it was the first time that distinguished personalities of their caliber graced an occasion of that kind and spend the whole night. “May we have peace and harmony,” the Imam concluded.

President Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh last Saturday donated three bulls to the Independence Drive Mosque Committee, through the committee of Banjul Muslim Elders, as his contribution in observance of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), commonly known as Gamo, at a ceremony in Independence Drive Mosque, Banjul.

The Messenger of Allah, Peace be Upon Him, was born on Monday 12 Rabi Al Awwal, in the year of Elephant (570 CE). His ancestry can be traced back to Prophet Ibrahim. The lineage of ‘ADNAN’ ascribed to him goes back to the prophet Ismail, the son of the Prophet Ibrahim(Peace be upon on both of them).

Speaking in an interview with Daily Observer at the Independence Drive Mosque in Banjul, Alhagie AA Faal, chairman of the Committee of Banjul Muslim Elders on behalf of the committee, thanked President Jammeh for the gesture. Chairman Faal also acknowledged the contributions of Institutions and individuals such as Gamcel, Gamtel, Taf Construction, OB Conateh, among others, for making the event a successful one. He also stressed the significance of observing the day, noting that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) really deserves to be remembered in such an organised gand Islamic manner.

According to him, the annual event (Gamo) is observed in Banjul for almost a century now. He noted that the committee is responsible for the affairs of muslims in Banjul as well as the Independence Drive mosque, Half-die Mosque and the King Fahad Mosque.

Banjul muslim elders also appointed their own Imams and deputies and delegate responsibilties to the committee who are answerable to the Banjul Muslim elders.

The event was characterised by recitation of Holy Qura’n, sermon, praises to Allah (SWT) and his Messenger Prophet Muhammed (SAW) by Dairatul Ahl. Badr Hashiheen, among others.