The Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhagie Cherno Kah and other Imams and Muslim elders in Banjul, last Sunday, conducted  special prayers at the Independence Drive Mosque ahead of the July 22nd celebration and the rainy season.  

The aim of the worship (Ibadat) was to invoke Allah’s blessings on President Yahya Jammeh and the nation for successful observation of the 14th anniversary celebration and a blessed rainy season.

Speaking at the gathering, Alieu Mboge, committee leader of Banjul Muslim Elders said, "we are here today to pray for the commemoration of July 22 celebration and the 14 years of revolution.  The importance of this prayer is to ask Allah to bless President Jammeh and his government for maintaining peace in this country”.

For his part Dr. Ebou Samba, vice chairman of Banjul Muslim Elders said "what we are doing here is to pray for President Jammeh and his government, because the peace we are enjoying here is not prevailing in most other countries in the world". He said that they will continue to pray for peace to remain in The Gambia for ever.

Present at the meeting where hundreds of Muslims in Banjul, including Abdoulie Taal, chairman of Banjul Muslim Committee.

Darusalm Koranic School in Banjul recently held its 17th annual Quaranic recitation, at the school ground at Albion Place, Banjul.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, the head teacher of the school, Imam Ousman Nyang, said that the school was established in 1984 and he started teaching in the school in 1985, under the founder Alh. Alieu Cham Joof.  He further revealed that, they started with one class room and 15 students The number has now increased to 150 presently he said.

According to Imam Nyang, over thousand people passed through the school who are holding very important positions in the society. The subject we taught the children in the school are, Al.  Quran, alphabets, hadiths, shariah and other Islamic subjects, he stated.

He added that, this quranic recitation is an annual event and this year is the 17th “tarim Al Quran”  of the school.

Imam Nyang, thanked the chairman of the school, Alh. Alieu Cham Joof the adviser, Alh. Sering Alieu Saho Qadi Muslim court Banjul, his deputy, oustass Abdoulie Sowe and his staffs, the PTA and others in helping in the smooth running of the school.

“Imam Nyang called on the fellow muslim Ummah to come and assist the school towards the development of the school environment and their classrooms, which will be greatly appreciated’ he said.

Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice-president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs on Friday, received Archbishop Cardinal Theodore Adrien Sarr of Senegal in her office at State House, Banjul.

Accompanied to State House by Patrick Robert Ellison (CSSP), the Bishop of Banjul and Pierre LM Sarr, liaison officer between the government and the Catholics in the country, Cardinal Sarr’s visit was meant to celebrate with the Gambian Catholic family of his nomination as Cardinal by Pop Benedict 16th, on 24th November, 2007, in Rome, Italy.

Speaking to journalists soon after his audience with Vice-President Njie-Saidy, Cardinal Sarr expressed deep appreciation at the warmed welcome accorded to him by both the Catholic and the Muslim communities in The Gambia. He stated that his visit is also meant to join the Gambian Catholic family in celebrating and thanking Allah for such a gift through Pop Benedict 16th.

“During my nomination as Cardinal, both Catholics and Muslims in Senegal, The Gambia and the entire West Africa were deeply touched. This manifested that we are the same, more particularly The Gambia and Senegal. I honoured the invitation of Bishop Ellison to visit The Gambia and celebrate with the population, as well as thank Allah as Cardinal is very important in the Catholic faith,” he said.

He then called for Muslim-Christian cordial relations, saying “we should be united, ensure peace. This is what God needs”. He then highlighted some issues in his discussion with Vice-president Njie-Saidy, including nurturing the continuous excellent Muslims-Christian relations.

For his part, Patrick Robert Ellison (CSSP), the Bishop of Banjul, described the visit as important to the Catholic community, noting that being a Cardinal is very important and a special privilege.. He stated that there are only 120 Cardinals in the whole Catholic church around the world. “So if an African and a Senegambian is nominated by Pop Benedict 16th as a Cardinal, both Senegal and The Gambia should be proud of it,” he said.

He then highlighted the relations that Cardinal Sarr has in The Gambia and described the visit as not only because he is a Catholic, but as a member of the Sarr family whose immediate family are also in The Gambia. He then stated that the visit will greatly strengthen the faith of the Catholic community, saying “Cardinal Sarr is a man of God, faith and deep conviction and someone who has great concern for Muslim-Christian relations”.

During his four-day visit, Cardinal Sarr was hosted to a reception, celebrated a mass at St Peter’s Church in Lamin, where he confirmed 60 young Gambians into the Christian faith. He also met the elders of the Supreme Islamic Council last Saturday and attended a celebration at the Cathedral Church in Banjul on Sunday before his departure yesterday.

Robert Patrick Ellison C.S.Sp., the Bishop of Banjul, will officially welcome the Cardinal Archbishop of Dakar to The Gambia on Thursday, May 22, according to  press release from the Office of the Bishop of Banjul.

A cardinal is appointed by the Pope to serve as one of his key advisers. Although they are often called to provide counsel for the Pontiff, the most critical responsibility for the cardinals comes when the Pope dies, and the College of Cardinals chooses his successor.

Earlier in the year, Bishop Ellison invited Cardinal Theodore-Adrien Sarr to The Gambia. “The Gambia and Senegal share the same traditions with many Gambian families having close relatives in Senegal. The customs and culture of both countries complement each other. Cardinal Sarr’s family is a typical example of this kind of interaction.”

“Cardinal Sarr has been a frequent visitor to the country in past years. He visited as a priest and then as Bishop of Kaolack and again as Archbishop of Dakar. This will be his first visit since he was created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI,” the release indicated.

The Bishop of Banjul used the opportunity to express gratitude to Ismaila Sambou, the secretary of state for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation during their recent meeting.

“His comments to the Bishop were encouraging and further strengthen the already strong relationship between the Government of The Gambia and the Catholic Church in The Gambia. The suggestion of the Honourable secretary of state for the involvement of all sectors of the community in the visit of the Cardinal demonstrates the close relationship between the Muslim and Christian communities of our country.

The visit of Cardinal Sarr will help to deepen our appreciation of our commitment to this special relationship of understanding and respect for each other. The Catholic community is at one with His Excellency, the president of the Republic of The Gambia, in promoting religious tolerance as a key element in the development of our nation,” the release added.

In the release, Bishop Ellison invited all parishes in the Greater Banjul Area to give their full support to the Organising Committee. “Priests and Parish Councils should organise parish groups to line the route displaying their parish or organisations banners.”

The Bishop also called on heads of Catholic schools to organise the pupils in their schools to line the route from Banjul International Airport, Yundum, to Shalom Retreat Centre in Fajara, Bakau.

Biography

Théodore-Adrien Sarr was born in Fadiouth to Rog and Louise (née Diakher Diouf) Sarr, as one of seven children. He completed his secondary studies at the minor seminary in Hann, where he received a baccalaureate. Sarr then studied philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary of Sébikhotane.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Hyacinthe Thiandoum on May 28th, 1964, and furthered his studies at the University of Dakar, where he obtained his licentiate in the classical languages of Latin and Greek.

Fr Sarr then did pastoral work at the parish of Saint-Thérése in Dakar, as assistant to the groups of Catholic Action. He also served as a professor at the Mihnor Seminary of N’Gasobil, later as its superior from 1970 to 1974.

On July 1st, 1974, Fr. Sarr was appointed the second Bishop of Kaolack by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on November 24, 1975 from Archbishop Thiandoum, with Bishops Théophile Cadoux, MSC, and Augustin Sagna, serving as co-consecrator, in an open-air ceremony at Collége Pie XII in Kaolack. Bishop Sarr was later named the third Archbishop of Dakar on June 2nd, 2000.

Pope Benedict XVI created him Cardinal Priest of S. Lucia a Piazza d’Armi in the consistory of November 24, 2007. Cardinal Sarr will be eligible to participate in any future papal conclaves until he reaches the age of eight on November 28th, 2016.

In addition to his duties as Archbishop, the Cardinal also serves as President of the Episcopal Conference of Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, and Guinea Bissau, and the first Vice President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.

The Gambia Christian Council has praised the religious harmony that exists between Christians and the Muslim majority in the country.

In a new year message to President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the Christian Council thanked God that Dr Jammeh’s presidency ensures the tradition of good relationship between the two faiths, asserting that it will work with the government and with the Muslim community to strengthen peace and harmony.

“The Christian community prays that Almighty God will bless you with good health and all the strength you need to continue your governance of this country with wisdom, justice and vision, enabling all its citizens and residents to live at peace with each other and to contribute to the development that you have so ably initiated in so many areas of the country’s life.”

Acknowledging that 2007 was a memorable year as it witnessed the birth of Muhammad Yahya Jammeh, the council extended warmest congratulations to the president and his wife, Madam Zineb Jammeh and daughter, Mariam.

“The Christian Council was honoured to represent the Christian community at the naming ceremony and joins the nation in rejoicing at this wonderful God-given addition to your family. We pray that as Muhammad Yahya grows in stature, may he also grow in the knowledge and love of God and we shall continue to pray that God will bless him, make his light shine upon him, be gracious to him, grant him good health and give him peace,” the council added.

“We also ask that Almighty God’s blessing will rest upon all the members of your family and all who will love and care for your beautiful child throughout his life and that as they provide the security and trust that he will need, they may also guide him into the ways of faith, which will enable him to know and experience the spiritual values of life as well,” they concluded.

The First Family, on Monday, played host to several dignitaries at State House Gardens for the traditional naming ceremony of Baby Muhammed Yahya Jammeh. Baby Jammeh, is the second child of President Jammeh and First Lady Zeinab Jammeh, the first being the eight-year old Mariam Jammeh.

The ceremony began with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Muslim elders, a clear indication of President Jammehs adherence to Islam. Soon after that, the President arrived in his usual white gown carrying Baby Jammeh in his arms, wrapped in a white cloth and accompanied by First Lady Zeinab Jammeh in a sea green Arab-styled Abaya. They went around the gathering to formally show the newest member of the First Family to the dignitaries.

Alhagie Everybody Mbye, Chief Griot to President Jammeh, was given the podium to announce the name of Baby Jammeh. He was then showered with cash in a show of appreciation and in line with Gambian tradition at naming ceremonies.

Explaining the rationale behind the President’s decision to name his son after Muhammed, the Prophet of Islam, the erudite Imam of State House Mosque, Alhaji Abdoulie Fatty said the President’s decision was in recognition of the blessings the Almighty has showered on him in making him the President of The Gambia. According to him, President Jammeh’s assumption to power way back in 1994 was done with the blessing of the Almighty, consequently, its peaceful nature.

Cadi Sering Alieu Saho, though not feeling well, made it to State House to recite a poem he specially dedicated to Baby Muhammed Jammeh while Imam Muntaha Faye and Abdoulie Fatty sang religious songs.

In yet another manifestation of the joking relations that exist between the country’s ethnic groups, three members of the National Assembly, Netty Baldeh, a Fula, Abdoulie Saine and Sulayman Joof, both Serers, took the microphone from the master of the ceremony, Ebrima JT Kujabi and demanded that they be given something as they are the ‘Fathers’ of the Jolas, President Jammehs ethnic group. The President wasted no time in fulfilling their demands by giving them cash in recognition of the importance of the joking relatioship between the three ethnic groups, thus resulting in the eruption of laughter in some sections of the gathering.

This was followed by entertainment from the Kabakel Cultural Troupe and the KMC Ensemble followed by a delicious self-served lunch of various dishes. Baby Muhammed Jammeh’s naming ceremony was well planned as all the invited guests were well seated and ate to their satisfaction as the food was too abundant to be finished.

At the end of the ceremony, The Gambian leader said his personal goodbye to all guest and incredibly stayed behind to see everyboby off.

AUDU BILLAHI MINASHAITANI RAGIM, BISMILAHI RAHMANI RAHEEM, ALHAMDULILAI RABILL ALAMIN.

Fellow Gambians,

Once again we are privileged to celebrate another Eid ul Adha locally known as Tobaski. On this auspicious occasion, I wish to extend to all, on behalf of my family and indeed my entire government, warmest greetings, sincere best wishes and congratulations.

Eid ul-Adha, or “the Feast of Sacrifice” marks the end to the sacred Hajj ceremony. Well over two million people women and men of all ages, languages, colours and backgrounds have in recent days congregated in the Holy city of Mecca to commemorate the sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim (May Allah’s peace and blessing be with him).

Today as we celebrate the feast of  Eid ul Adha, let us make a commitment to fight for peace, justice and selfless sacrifice for the well-being of our children, our parents, our neighbours, our fellow human beings in general and Muslims in particular.

Let us seize this opportunity to strengthen the Muslim brotherhood with parents, relatives, neighbours and even enemies to make amends and turn a new page.

Fellow Gambians, let us live like true believers in Islam and avoid being pre-occupied with excessive greed at the expense of millions of human lives. The world today is indeed in need of the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) for greater justice and strength to resist the vices of hate, racism and exploitation. The senseless wars and civil unrests ravaging countries around the world are all testimony to the faithlessness and greed of mankind.

I pray that this Eid ul Adha renews our determination and spirit of sarifice in the loving memory of Prophet Ibrahim to work for the greater good, for a brighter future and a more progressive and prosperous Gambia.  As we celebrate, also, let us remember those in distress and those who, because of violence and war, could not celebrate the feast of Eid ul Adha. If we remember them in our prayers, we will work towards maintaining a stable and peaceful Gambia.

Without peace, you cannot even worship the Almighty Allah.  It is unfortunate in The Gambia that this is the moment some people choose to profit at the expense of others, where things that were normally reasonable, all of a sudden, the price goes up and up because Muslims need it.

Some people have even decided to sell a ram for 22,000 Dalasis. This is unacceptable. As from now, whatever feast it is, if people are bent on making excessive profits at the expense of the people, there will be a price to pay for such greed.

Those who are selling ram at excessive prices should rest assured that we will deal with you later in the year because we have already taken note of those who are responsible and this practice will not be tolerated in this country. For those who are Gambian, there will be penalties to pay because we already know who you are.

If you exploit people because of the feast of Tobaski, you will pay back to the people. I have decided not to give scholarships to your children because you are exploiting the people. If you are a foreigner, you will pay all the taxes due to aliens without exception.

You will also pay higher fees for public health facilities because you want to make money out of the people, whatever you have extorted from the people. Good Muslim or non-Muslim this is not a time to extort money from the people.

This is a country of peace and love. This is a country of tolerance, this is a country of God-fearing people and we will not allow a few greedy individuals to inculcate in the minds of young Gambians this rotten behaviour of exploiting people when it is time for religious ceremonies.

We should also remember, as parents, that no matter what we say, the future of this country can only be great when we take care of our children and show them the right path, and encourage discipline and respect for authority and people that live around us. Unless children in this country are disciplined and love each other, there will be no bright future for this country.

It is the duty of we parents, especially the male parents, to look after our children so that tomorrow, they can grow up to become responsible citizens of this country, responsible Muslims, who will love and embrace all aspects of humanity, rather than hostile, misguided Muslims who will continue to kill people around the world. On this note, I wish you all Eid Mubarak, Dewinaty, Happy and Peaceful Tobaski.

May Allah continue to guide, protect and bless The Gambia, our Motherland.