The observance of the night was characterised by the recitation of the Holy Quran and prayers led by Alhaji Senghore for president Jammeh and the country.

Imam Tafsir Gaye spoke at length on the subject of the day. He advised Muslims to continue worshipping Allah even after Ramadan. He calls for unity among Muslims noting that Islam calls for oneness and unity. Imam Gaye also thanked the youth of the country for their active role in the promotion and propagation of Islam.He encourages them to continue the momentum, as they are the future leaders of the country.

In his closing remarks, Imam Gaye thanked president Jammeh and all those who have in one way supported Muslims during the Ramadan and encouraged them to continue the trend.

Other speakers included Alhaji Pa Mamadi Sowe, Alhaji Sam Debois, and Alh. Malick Sisay, Alh. Mouhammed Sisay and Alh. Gora Nyang. Several worshippers attended the occasion.

The people of Mbamori Kunda in Lower Baddibu, North Bank Region (NBR) will in a few weeks time inaugurate a new mosque for the village thanks to Hon. Ablie Suku Singhateh, National Assembly Member of the area.

The construction of the mosque, fully sponsored by Hon. Singhateh, who also doubles as the APRC Desk Officer in the North Bank Region has been described as a welcome gesture by the people of the area who commended Hon. Singhateh for his foresight and patriotism.

In a recent tour that covered the entire length and breadth of the North Bank Region in a bid to assess the level of work being done on farms cultivated for President Jammeh, the APRC delegation led by Hon. Singhateh arrived at Mbamori Kunda amidst a rousing welcome.

The people of Mbamori Kunda and its surrounding villages came out in their multitudes, singing and drumming much to the delight of guests. At the mosque, currently under construction, Hon. Singhateh, who is also an ECOWAS parliamentarian, commended President Jammeh for putting the development of the North Bank Region high on his list of priorities.

According to Hon. Singhateh, fondly called ‘Baddibu Mansa’, the construction of the mosque came as a result of an appeal by the villagers for a mosque to be built for them as they trek kilometres to the access mosque in the nearby village. He commended President Jammeh for the support and assured him of his people’s support at all times.

According to the ECOWAS parliamentarian, the determination and the energy, commitment and loyalty shown by the people of North Bank Region to rally behind President Jammeh in grand-style could be justified by the ‘limitless development’ that the President and his party have brought and continue to bring to their living-rooms.

He urged the people of North Bank to always rally behind President Jammeh for he will always be there for the people of not only the region but also the entire population.

“We are so impressed with the level of development in their region over the last 14 years that we’re poised to give the President our fullest support at all times. No body will go and leave the people of North Bank behind. We will always be with President Jammeh all the way,” Hon. Singhateh noted.

The newly elected president of the Supreme Islamic Council, Muhammed Lamin Touray, recently presided over the inauguration of a new mosque in Gunjur Kulkodu.

Speaking to The Point, president Touray underscored the significance of daily prayers at mosque.

He revealed that the mosque is the house of Allah Almighty and also used the occasion to thank the sponsors for their initiative. He called for unity, understanding and stability in the country.

For his part, Ismail Manjang, a partner with the sponsors, said that plans are underway to establish more mosques in different parts of Gunjur in the future.

The Assistant Director of Tallinding Islamic Institute under The Gambia Islamic Union also fourth Imam of the State House Mosque, Alhagie Shiekh Seedia Ceesay, has said that any authority or authorities in the Upper River Region behind the closure of a Sunni mosque in the Numuyel village are anti Islamic.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with this reporter recently at his Sanchaba Sulay Jobe residence, Sheikh Seedia made the assertion that all those responsible for the closure of the said mosque will pay the price of their action in the grave and on the day of judgement. The Islamic scholar said that there is no justification for any authority or authorities in URR to pass orders for the closure of the said mosque, adding that Allah’s important house should not be closed or demolished by any human being. All those behind the closure will never open their eyes in the heaven and he asserted that out of 100% of Muslim countries in Africa, 90% are Sunnis. He described Sunnis as Muslims who preach the true teaching of Islam. According to the scholar, a mosque is the house built by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when he first arrived in Medina and the second house he built was his compound.

He noted that during the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),   they valued mosques over everything else, and said that anybody who built a mosque for the sake of Islam, Almighty Allah will reward him with a mighty story-building in  heaven. Meanwhile at the time of writing this story the mosque in Numuyel is still said to remain closed.

The mosque is said to have been closed down because of a dispute between the village elders and a supposed group of worshippers claiming to be Sunnis over the construction of an Arabic school on the outskirts of Numuyel by the group.

When contacted by our reporter in the area, Police Commissioner for URR, Ebrima Cham, confirmed the temporal closure of the mosque at Numuyel.

According to him, the development came in the wake of a row between the village elders of Numuyel and group of people claiming to be Sunnis over the construction of an Arabic school.

“The elders of the village in Numuyel have threatened to attack these supposed Sunnis if they open the mosque for worship,” he said.

“As a result of this”, Commissioner Cham went on, “police were ordered to close down the mosque temporally so as to maintain peace and order in the village and in the country, in general.”

Police Commissioner Cham added that his office, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office in URR, has finally decided that the mosque should remain closed so as to allow the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) to decide on the matter.

The Banjul Muslim Elders of the Independence Drive Mosque led by Imam Alhagie Makumba Jaye under the distinguished patronage President Jammeh recently held its 154th Gamo.

The guest speaker at the occasion was Alhagi Abdul Aziz Sy junior the spokesperson of the Tyanniya Serigne Mansour Sy and Family of Alhagi Malick Sy of Tiwaoune.

Bishop Solomon Tilewa Johnson and father Edu Gomez represented the Christian community at the gathering.

The topic of discussion was how peace could be shared amongst us in this world as the prophet Muhammed (SAW) was given peace to spread it to his people. Islam is a religion of peace and not terrorism as others falsely associate it with. It calls on other religions to live in peace and understanding. “ 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 Suratul Muntahana (60th sura) Verse 8-9”.

Meanwhile among the discussions at the Gamo was the respect Islam has on Christianity, the naming of Sura Mariam and his family in the Holy Quran and prophet Essa (Jesus) is mentioned also in the Quran several times.

Speaking earlier, Imam Tafsir Gaye, special speaker and co-ordinator of the occasion, used the opportunity to congratulate President Jammeh on the occasion of his 43rd birthday. He prayed for his good health and long life.

Organisers of the event thanked the president for his moral and financial support including a bull and money.

The Muslims and Christians in Banjul are blood-related thanks to the government for giving all religions freedom to practice. This was manifested by the attendance of the representative of Bishop Ellison in the person of father Edu Gomez and Bishop Solomon Johnson.

Imam Gaye reiterated the need for the momentum to be maintained. It was the first time that the occasion was graced by several distinguished personalities making it special.