President Jammeh |
Attitudes
such as drug dealing, high prices of basic commodities, wearing of scanty
cloths and prostitution are social vices done by Gambian Muslims, according to
President Yahya Jammeh.
Gambian
Christians are not involved in such acts, he adds while calling on Muslims to
desist from such vices during an August 30, 2011 meeting with Muslim Religious
Leaders at State House in the capital, Banjul.
The
courtesy call by Religious Leaders followed the feast of Eidul-Fitr (Koriteh)
which marks the end of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadaan (fasting).
The
Gambian leader also stressed that he will not entertain any religion that will
bring misunderstanding among Muslims in the Gambia. “They (Muslims) should
fulfill their duties and responsibilities to build a better Islamic society,”
he said.
According
to him, the enemies of Islam, the country and those who are enemies onto
themselves are saying the “Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) is working under the
directives of President Jammeh”.
Nonetheless,
he said even if they are working under his directives, then they are working
for Islam because Allah said in the Holy Qur’an that people should respect
their leaders.
“The
Supreme Islamic Council is following what Allah said and the footsteps of
Prophet Muhammad,” he said.
However,
he warns them not to misinterpret the Holy Qur’an and should not tell lies
whatsoever. “You should tell the truth at any cost and not to look into anybody’s
eye,” President Jammeh stressed. “You
should be honest in all your dealings and do not sell the Holy Qur’an for the
sake of your selfish interest.”
He
also told the Muslims leaders that they should know their roles and
responsibilities and preach the real teachings of Islam to the people in peace
and brotherhood.
Islamic
world
The Islamic
world is facing so many hurdles as all these wars and killings are done by
Muslims who claim that they are fighting in the name of Allah, which is not
acceptable by the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, he noted.
He said
as pure Muslims “we should desist from such acts which are totally against the
teachings of Islam”. He said Islam calls purely for peace and brotherhood.
“Muslims
in world are the richest, but still Muslims are suffering because we are not
helping each other. Even in wealthy Muslim countries, people are suffering. You
can claim that you are a Muslims while non-Muslims are far better than you
because non-Muslims help the Muslims more than Muslims do,” he said.
“If Muslims
countries that have money give out Zakat (help the needy) as prescribed, then even
dogs will not go hungry in the world. Muslims are killing each other while
Christians are sitting, enjoying peace, helping each other and even helping
Muslims who are suffering.”
He added
that Muslims who are bombing mosques in the name of Jihad (Holy War) are on the
way of Satan.
Business
people
“In
the Gambia, 98 percent of the business men and women are Muslims but they are
the people making the cost of living difficult for their fellow Muslims. They present
themselves as good Muslims but they cannot fool Allah,” President Jammeh said
on Tuesday.
Mode
of dressing
President Jammeh, who spoke on a variety of issues,
said the mode of dressing among Muslim girls has been “the talk of the town”
for the past years, stressing that
the current mode of dressing by Gambia Muslim girls is un-Islamic
and unacceptable. Such dressing mode is untypical of Christian girls, he argued.
While
urging parents to teach their children what is right so that they benefit
themselves in the future, he noted that the Islamic religion is incorruptible and
that truth cannot be substituted with anything else.
Discipline
He charged
that parents should take real care of their children and guide them in the
right path and as well instills self-discipline, respect in them.
The
schools are not discipline grounds for children. Parent should be truthful and
responsible in everything they do and should not be afraid of their sons and
daughters. The government has two discipline centres, that is, the police and
prisons, he said.
Human
rights
On
human rights, the Gambian leader once again reiterated “I will not let human
right, and freedom of expression to jeopardize this country, where man and man,
woman and woman will marry.”
Other
speakers include the Imam of State House Mosque, Abdoulie
Fatty, who earlier
on said Islam and politics are different and as such, people should not
attribute Islam to politics.
He called
on the Muslim community in the Gambia to follow the Supreme Islam Council as the
authority overseeing the affairs of Islam in the country. He also said Islam teaches
that “we should respect our leaders and followed their command”.
NYSS announces
orientation for 11th batch
The
National Youth service Scheme (NYSS) has announced on Monday the conclusion of
mobilization and recruitment of prospective corps members of the Scheme’s 11th
batch in which 200 people across the country have been selected.
The
orientation, meant to introduce the new intake to leadership skills and good
practices is scheduled for September 3 - October 17, 2011, during which the
students will also be introduce to lectures in all skill areas, including
counseling, sexual and reproductive health, cultures and traditions.
This,
the NYSS said will instill discipline in them, strengthen their social and
mental endurance and also to polish their practical, social and leadership
skills prior to their 22 months deployment to various training institutions to
acquire more skills.
The
tuition fee and stipend of the prospective corps is being paid for by the
Government of The Gambia, and the NYSS noted the initiative setup in 1996 is
meant to address the plight of the youth who constitute over 50 percent of the
population.
This
section of society are said to be the most vulnerable to the social ills of
unemployment, alcohol, drug abuse, prostitution and among other things.
During
a press conference at the NYSS office in Bakau on August 30, the Executive
Director Mr Nuha Y. Jammeh noted funds have been released for a complete
renovation of the NYSS Campus including the acquisition of new mattresses for
the corps.
“NYSS
campus is undergoing extensive rehabilitation with the provision of water and
electricity supply, and sanitary measures to bring the campus to standard,” he said.
He admitted that the campus was in deplorable conduction prior to this
intervention.
He
also noted that while the corps members are put on job placement for two years,
the NYSS do monitor their progress at various institutions (public and
private).
Source - The Voice Newspaper
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