Gambia's president Yahya Jammeh ordered for the execution of 9 death row inmates in August 2012/PHOTO/AFP2011 |
The Imam of the colonel Moumar Gaddafi Mosque in
Kotu, Momodou Lamin Drammeh is of the view that “an eye for an eye justice” (kill and be
killed) is the only remedy to an increasing murder rate in The Gambia.
The Imam, who was speaking to this reporter at his
residence at Kotu on October 17, claimed that the August 2012 execution of
death row inmates by the government is not only in line with the nation's
constitution but in line with Islamic law (Shari’ah) as well.
These latest controversial comments on the widely
disputed killings of death row inmates came at a time when the debate is
already subsiding locally as the country; mainly Muslims are looking forward to
another mass execution, this time of “rams” during the course of the feast of
Eid-al-Adha.
" Shari’ah clearly spell out that if someone
kills another person deliberately, he or she should also be killed and the
Qur'an affirms that this is the only way that can bring sanity in the society
as well as curtail the killing spree," Imam Drammeh argues.
He argued that the series of reported killings that
are currently going on in town are alien to the country and it is incumbent
upon the government to put a stop to it, hence the leadership will be accounted
for it in the day of judgment.
He said the “so called civilized west” must be
blamed for the problems Africa and other parts of the world are faced with all in
the name of “democracy.”
"Our problem in Africa and other parts of the
world are the handy work of the west base on their selfish greed and taste for
the natural resources on the continent. It is time that Africa and other
nations across the globe be aware of the threats emerging from the west perpetrated
in the name of democracy, rule of law, human rights among others,” the Imam
said.
These are the weapons they use against us to bring
conflicts in our regions. It is sad that Africans are still slumbering and are
not aware of these threats, he argued.
Evil
He called on the government not to be detracted by
the “enemies” of the state, whom he also regarded as “puppets” of the west.
At a time when the Gambian leader succumbed to calls
to put in place a moratorium on executions, Imam Drammeh said: “The execution
of people on death row should continue so that in the long run others who harbour
evil thoughts will be afraid to carry out their heinous acts that are so alien
to the country.”
He also called on the youths to avoid illegal drugs,
alcohol and prostitution.
Once a person is under the influence of drugs and
alcohol, they lose their sense of reasoning. Many murders that currently occurs
in town are due largely to the influence of drugs and alcohol, he claim, but
was quick to add blame the west for this too.
"They (the west) bring drugs and alcohol to
target African youths so that if they take these substances they can become
lazy and useless at the detriment of African's development aspirations,” he
said. “This is why African youths must be extra-courteous and mindful with
regards to the so called civilization ideology."
He also cautions Gambian girls and ladies to be
mindful of the west who have already intrude into their systems by changing
their dress codes, appearances and way of life.
It is because of the lack of respect for elders that
today we are witnessing lots of things that are alien to the country, he said.
Arab spring
Speaking on the Arab spring, coordinated riots that
deposed several dictators in North Africa and the Arab world, Imam Drammeh also
blamed the west (Europe and America) for “orchestrating” the Arab spring to
destroy all the gains achieved by Arab countries.
"The Arab spring is the evil work of the west
meant to ruin Arab countries that are viewed as enemies of the west in terms of
their visions and stance to improve humanity. Because of their naivety and
jealousy, they impose wars in these countries and thereby bring to an end some
of the elected governments of the Arab lands," he argued.
Why the Americans did not go for the Yemeni
president Abdullah Saleh? It’s because he provided a base to the American
troops so that they can use their might to crumble any government in that
region that does not support their ideology, he observed.
SOURCE: THE VOICE
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