More to an Imam than Leading Prayer Congregations

Dr Isatou Touray flanked on the right by Dr Hassan Shire Sheikh receives the Award for Baba Leigh (Photo Credit: Sainey MK Marenah)

When Imam Baba Leigh was declared winner of the first-ever pan-African human rights defenders award, broad smiles and loud cries of joy simultaneously filled Kairaba hotel’s giant Jaama Hall peopled by hundreds of human rights defenders from across Africa and beyond. 
 

The atmosphere was emotionally charged, especially for rights activist Dr Isatou Touray who, like Baba Leigh, has had her share of the repression in Gambia, a country once known to be a model of democracy in Africa.

Scrubbing up dry tears in her face, she tells me: “I cried because I’m happy. I went through a long road of reflection. We’ve suffered a lot. He [Baba Leigh] was incarcerated for no just cause.”

Ahmadiyya light 10 Gambian villages with solar energy

The installation is facilitated by the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers, IAAAE, (Photo credit: IAAAE)

US judge jails anti-Muslim filmmaker for a year

LOS ANGELES: The man behind the anti-Islam video which sparked widespread protests in the Muslim world was jailed for a year Wednesday for breaching the terms of his probation for a previous offense.

Mark Basseley Youssef will serve the sentence in federal prison after he admitted four allegations of using false identities, violating the terms of his probation for a bank fraud conviction in 2010.

An eye for an eye justice to address murder: Imam Drammeh

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.

Gambia: Ahmadiyya condemns ‘anti-Islam’ film

Amirs Travwlly (Left) and colleagues @ 35^th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) April 2011

In an October 4, 2012 media dispatch, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Gambia says it “strongly condemn” the act of disrespect to the honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (SAM).

In September, a film titled “Innocence of Islam” deemed insulting to the Prophet was uploaded on Utube, an online video site, sparking widespread violent protests across the Muslim world. 

STATEMENT BY IMAM LEIGH: EXECUTIONS UNISLAMIC'

Activist Imam Baba Leigh

The Imam of Kanifing East Mosque, Baba Leigh, has denounced the recent executions carried out by The Gambia Government characterizing them as "Un Islamic".

 Reacting to the declaration of support by the supreme Islamic council for the executions, the strident imam contended: “The supreme Islamic Council should have gone further than just declaring their support for the executions.  Islam does not want to take the lives of believers just like that.

They should not say that if you kill you should be killed because it goes beyond that. Suratul Baqara verses 177-178 lay dawn options that could be explored to settle the matter in the form of a fine, compensation or forgiveness by the family of the deceased. 

Imam Bakawsu Fofana reportedly flee Gambia

Gambian Muslim cleric, Imam Bakawsu Fofana was detained in June 2012

A popular Gambian Muslim cleric, Imam Bakawsu Fofana is reported to have fled the country.

A neighbor who wished not to be named told The Voice on Monday August 27 “the Imam crossed the Gambian border on Sunday into the Southern Senegal region of Casamance to seek for refuge.” 

While on a routine reporting to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) almost on a weekly basis since June 2012, followinghis release from detention, Bakawsu managed to escape reported attempts by theagency to re-arrest him on August 14.

Gambia: Family establishes contact with ‘disappeared’ Imam

Bakawsu

Mr. Omar Fofana, a younger brother to disappeared Gambian Imam, Bakawsu Fofana has told The Voice that he spoke to the imam on phone two days after his disappearance on August 14.

Omar said: “I only communicated with him once on the phone on Thursday. He promised to come out when he finish his special prayers (after the Eidul Fitr – Muslim feast).”

“He told me that he has entrusted me with the responsibility of the family until he comes back,” Omar added.

The renowned Imam, Bakawsu Fofana was reported to have disappeared during attempts by the state’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA) operatives to arrest him at his home on Tuesday.  

Jammeh threatens Muslim sect in Gambia

President Jammeh pledged to have all death row inmates executed by mid-September. Photo | BBC |

Gambia’s president, Yahya Jammeh on August 19 threatened to deal with a Muslim religious Sunni sect, locally known as “Mashallah” saying he will “cut-short” their tails or “wipe them out” of the country.

He accuses the sect, widely known for its widespread propagation of Islam and strict following of the deeds (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), of “embarrassing people’s wives in public and the idea of going round and creating mayhem.” 

Jammeh’s killing-vow condemned

President Jammeh pledged to have all death row inmates executed by mid-September. Photo | BBC |

Gambia’s president vow to kill death row inmates by September 2012 has been met with widespread international condemnation.

President Jammeh’s EID Address to the Nation

President Jammeh pledged to have all death row inmates executed by mid-September. Photo | BBC |

IMAM Bakawsu reportedly arrested again

Bakawsu Fofana

Reports reaching The Voice newspaper have it that the Gambian Muslim cleric, Imam Bakawsu Fofana is arrested for the second time this year.

A neighbor told this paper that Fofana was arrested at his home, Sanchaba Sulay Jobe, Kombo North district on August 14, 2012 by officials believed to be members of the National Intelligence Agency (the NIA).

It is not clear the reason behind his latest “arrest” or where he is currently detained as efforts to reach family sources was fruitless.

However, sources corroborated that the NIA told Bakawsu he was needed at State House in Banjul, but fails to return since being picked-up on Tuesday evening.

Muslim cleric Imam Bakawsu detained

Imam Bakawsu Fofana

Gambian outspoken Muslim cleric, Imam Bakawsu Fofana is reportedly arrested on Thursday by officials of the National Intelligence Agency, the NIA, family sources told The Voice newspaper on Sunday.

“Imam Bakawsu Fofana left his home on Thursday 31^st May, 2012 to attend a naming ceremony when the NIA came to pick him up and whisked him away along with one of his disciples (Talibe),” the source said. “He is being held at the NIA headquarters in Banjul.”

No one is safe from the crises in the world

Amir Trawally (L)  at the (35th) 2011 Jalsa Salana

The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in the Gambia has projected a global catastrophe as the world continues to be plagued by numerous crises.

His projection came at a time when the world is grappling with political, economic, and food crises – the later already extant at home, the Gambia.

“The world is going through turbulent times in all fronts. No one is safe from these crises, especially the Muslim world,” said Amir Sahib Baba F. Trawally, who added: “If these crises are not properly checked, a global catastrophe is inevitable.”

Followers of the right path

Amirs  @ 35^th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) April 2011

Those who exercise their God-given potentials meaningfully to attain both their worldly and spiritual objectives are followers of the right path. They are the ones who shall be the successors of the prosperous, according to Brother Tahir Ahmad Touray.

Touray was speaking at opening of the 28^th Annual National Ijtema (Convention) of the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (Ahmadiyya Male Youth Wing) of The Gambia held at Masroor Senior Secondary school, Old Yundum, Kombo North District of the West Coast Region.  

Ahmadi Muslims urged to be peaceful and law abiding

The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in The Gambia Baba F. Trawally has cautioned Ahmadi Muslims across the country never to be involved in disorderliness and should remain peaceful, law abiding citizens and serve their country at heart as commanded and practiced by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Amir Baba F. Trawally was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 35^th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat on  24^th April 2011 at Nusrat Senior Secondary School in Bundung.

‘Moral injustice has left the world in moral degradation…’ says Amir Trawally

Amirs on the high table

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in The Gambia observed its 35^th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) from 22-24 April, 2011 at Nusrat Senior Secondary School in Bundung.

The event attracted hundreds of the members of the Jamaat from across The Gambia and delegations from neighbouring Senegal, Guinea Bissau and United Kingdom.

Various topics, including Moral and Spiritual revolution of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Islam and Globalization, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi’s love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), custom and traditions in conflict with Islam, Prophecies and their fulfillment on the advent of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi and Khilafat a divine institution, where discussed.