Muslims Hands, a Charitable Organisation  working in The Gambia since 1993, have  successfully  Organised a sensitisation workshop on Malaria preventive methods for Imams in three communities within the Kanifing Municipality  namely Ibo-Town, Kotu Quarey , and Manjai –Kunda last Saturday Muslim Hands The Gambia joined the communities during the  Monthly  National Cleansing Exercise at their respective areas.

Ousman Bojang Senior project manager Muslims Hands Gambia said the purpose of their Campaign is to complement government efforts in the fight against Malaria noting that the work of Muslims Hands also includes sponsorship of orphans and the old aged. It also includes educational assistance to students and the distribution of food and emergency aid.

He pointed out that their  next step would be to embark on  bednet  distribution to the communities.

For his part, the Imam of Kotu Quarey, Omar Darbo, commended Muslims Hands for their support in the fight against malaria noting that government alone cannot do it.

He also thanked the community for turning in their large numbers during the monthly set-settal.

ALHAGIE Bubocarr Ceesay Organising Secretary  Ibo- Town Mosque  said during the exercise Muslim Hands  provided  brooms for the community to clean their environment especially mosquito breeding sites adding that the community will continue to work with Muslims hands to prevent themselves and their families from Malaria.

In Manjai – Kunda  the community also cleaned their environment.

During the exercise Kanifing Municipal Council provided transport for Muslims Hands to collect refuse in the communities.

Muslims the world over will this week, though many have started, enters into the holy month of Ramadan. As a matter of fact, some businessmen tend to use the period to make more profit to the detriment of the poor and needy. As Muslims, many would expect a drastic reduction in the prices of basic commodities to make the period more reasonable for the people especially the poor and needy. There have already been mixed reactions as to current state of escalation of prices of basic commodities in the country.

During this month, most families are in need of support to cope with the situation of escalating prices of goods that is needed most especially sugar and rice.

Going by one of our reports on our front page, one would notice mixed reactions from the general public. Some of the reactions are enough a worry that makes one sits up with profound concern.

Workers pay packets in this country no longer match the rising prices of basic commodities. Some are usually worse off when prices go up, especially so when they have no other source of income. The month should be seen as a month of blessing and thus the need to be more reasonable in the business.

What most workers take home nowadays is not just enough to make ends meet. Those in need should also be given the necessary support. They should not be seen starving after fasting the whole day. Those with the wealth should always be in a position to assist the poor.

There is no doubt that the need for an effective supply and distribution chain for both local and international trade has created new opportunities and challenges for the nation. The Government’s strategy of developing open borders over the years, combined with generally favourable economic conditions, has no doubt resulted in substantial growth in the country’s re-export trade system. This however seems to be stagnant taking into consideration, the virtually high rate of duties and taxes on the re-export trade system of the country.

Though we cannot say the reason why prices of basic commodities are skyrocketing, it is our fervent hope that the way forward is to ensure the provision of an efficient, safe, economic and reliable movements of good and people combined with a massive reduction of the high rate of duties and taxes.

While it is important to mention that the economic performance of this country is raising hopes of a possible turnaround, it must also be noted that creating an enabling environment that prioritises an effective re-export trade is a critical pre-requisite for economic development and poverty reduction.

The business community should by all means be reasonable during this month. They should not see this period as a time to make profit.

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Milton Friedman

Imam Momodou Lamin Touray, the newly elected president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC) has called on Muslims in the country to bury their differences and unite for a common purpose.

 Imam Touray said Islam harbours no disunity and Muslims should unite for the good of Islam and the Ummah.

Imam Touray, an erudite and reputed Islamic scholar, is the deputy Imam of Gunjur and a deputy Imam of State House mosque. He hails from Gunjur, Western Region, and is renowned for his fluidity in the propagation of Qur’an and the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

He told the multitude of the faithful at the 4th national congress of the country’s supreme Islamic body, on Sunday, at the GSIC Headquarters in Kanifing, that his election to the presidency was the will of Allah, but noted that all Muslim leaders in the country are equally competent to head the council.

“The council belongs to all the Muslims in the country, but it is only when we unite together as a unified body that we can achieve the successes and developments that we all yearn for,” the new GSIC president said, while calling for more commitment to Islam.

Imam Touray challenged the Muslim Ummah to serve as a watchdog to the new executive committee of the council, as they should be corrected where they are likely to do wrong. However, he also called for maximum support from everyone in order to move the council forward.

Imam Touray affirmed his resolve to make the council a more vibrant institution during his term and assured the gathering that the trust and confidence bestowed on them by Muslims will not be betrayed.

At the occasion, the erudite Imam praised Allah for bringing the congress to a successful ending and  the present government, under the leadership of President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, whom he thanked for his “unshakable” commitment to the cause of the council and Islam.

Alhaji Banding Drammeh, the preceding president of GSIC, concurred with his successor’s statement and urged Muslims to stand by the new executive committee in the execution of their functions.

He informed the gathering that the outgoing executive will convene a meeting with the incoming one, for the formal handing over of the affairs of the council.
Alhaji Mustapha Caroyol, the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, who presided over the election process, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the congress.

The 155 delegates who unanimously elected Imam Touray as president, also elected 10 other executive members to the executive committee of the council.

They include Imam Sheriff Bajan and Imam Sheik Gibril Kujabi, as first and second vice presidents respectively; Dr Mbaye Kebba Kah and Ebrima Touray as the secretary-general and deputy secretary-general respectively; and Aji Jainaba Dibba and Cherno Darboe elected as the assistant secretary-general - English, and deputy assistant secretary-general - Arabic respectively.

Other members of the committee are Baba Drammeh Junior, Alhaji Momodou Lamin Kanteh, Baba Babucarr Drammeh Senior and Aji Maimuna Savage.

The president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Students’ Association (AMSA), Brother Baboucarr A.S. Sowe, has noted with grave concern the unwarranted state of affairs in the world. The students’ Association president was speaking during a five-day convention held at Nasir Senior Secondary School at Basse, from the 17th to the 21st July, 2008.

“The world is presently at an absolute state of anarchy, characterised by indiscriminate killing of innocent men, women, children and the old under the pretext of religion and democracy,” he said. The endless wars in Africa, the suicide bombings in Iraq and the terror bombings elsewhere in the world have indeed made the world very unsafe for human beings. These are indeed clear manifestations of the latter days, but the irony is that many still fail to recognize and acknowledge the person ordained with the responsibility of correcting the world’s situation. He observed that all these atrocities boil down to misguidance and lost as a result denying the Imam of the age (the Promised Messiah & Imam Mahdi AS).

According Baboucarr, we are witnessing a very sad era of Islam where Muslims resort to the killing of their fellow Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the name of Islam. As a result, Islam has been viewed as a religion of violence as all these atrocities displayed by Muslims are as a result of misguidance all for the mere fact that they have failed to recognize and honor the Imam of the age. A religion designated to teach peace and love for humanity is now branded the worst enemy of humanity.

In conclusion, Mr. Sowe advised students to be wise and watchful, adding that by nature we are all pure. “Take the utmost care to avoid greed in things of this material world. Do not be carried away, give due regard to your religion, that you don’t forget your spiritual needs,” he said.

In his welcoming remarks, Mamadi Ceesay, principal Nasir Ahmadiyya Senior School, advised students to befriend their books. “You are students and students are seekers of knowledge and therefore you should spend most of your time with your books and discussing academic issues,” he told them. “This will no doubt help you achieve higher heights in your drive to academic excellence,” he added. In conclusion he said, “the youths are the future generation of our society and your successes and failures as youths is directly or indirectly connected to the successes and failures of society as a whole.”

Alagie Bah, national secretary Education (Talim) Board, delivering on the topic Importance of Education and the Role of Ahmadi Students said that students must never relent in their search for knowledge. “Read as wide as you can, utilise every other opportunity made available to you. The Jama’at needs engineers, lawyers, doctors and professionals from all fields of study.

Tahir Ahmad Touray, delivering on the topic; Khilafat and Our Responsibilities, noted that we are living in a century of godlessness and materialism. “All forms of immorality are sanctioned in the name of freedom,” he said. The foremost responsibility that an Ahmadi owes to the institution of Khilafat is to recognise Allah Almighty and totally devote to Him. Our hearts should be saturated with the love of Allah. According to Allah Almighty, he said if our hearts are purified, and our conduct beautiful, the blessings of Khilafat shall continue to rain on us.

For her part, sister Mariama Baldeh, speaking on the topic Islamic Code of Dress, said that the unrestricted association of men and women, and women’s decking themselves out for the set purpose of attracting men has become the disease of western society, so that all consideration of modesty and decent deportment have been cast aside and all the matured and prized values have fallen into contempt and are ridiculed. “It is a grave concern that a section of western oriented Muslims have not been able to resist this suicidal trend that prevails in the west. It is earnestly to be hope that the dangers inbuilt in this line of thinking and conduct will soon be recognized and the beneficence of Islamic values being appreciated will be more strictly adhered to, she stressed.

During the five-day convention, sporting activities such as football, volleyball, basketball and athletics were also incorporated. The event attracted over two hundred (200) students from throughout the country.