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.