Police have arrested Momodou Jang Jallow over a staged armed robbery in Banjul at the start of this month.

Police spokesman Supretendent Lamin Njie told reporters on Monday: “He is somebody who operates a bureau de change. According to him, somebody called him and phone requested that he needed to change a huge amount of CFA [franc] to dalasi and so as a result he had an appointment with him this individual.

“According to him, the following day, two individuals appeared at his bureau de change and these individuals as soon as they entered into the bureau, they attacked him and they assaulted him and they robbed him of D600,000. According to him, the robbers used knives and other weapons to subdue him and they inflicted injuries on him and until he passed out and they took D600,000.

“Upon receipt of this information, the Gambia Police Force investigation department swiftly opened and investigation into this situation and the investigation found out that in actual sense this was staged. [That] it was he himself who decided to inflict wounds himself or injuries on himself. It was he himself who laid down in what would look like a pool of blood.

“What we found out in fact was that it was he himself who used another telephone to call his other line so that it appears as if there were some people who called him the previous day. At the end of the day we realized he owed certain some money.

“He borrowed D200,000 from somebody and another person and he promised to pay these monies on time and he failed to do this and at the end of the day he’s looking for a story to explain to these individuals.”

Passionate APRC supporter Lamin Tamba has initiated a GoFundMe for the opposition APRC ahead of the December presidential election.

The GoFundMe set up on July 17 is set £350,000 or 23 million dalasis.

According to Mr Tamba, the fundraiser is about putting APRC in a position to win in the December presidential election.

The GoFundMe is however yet to pick up as only £150 or D10,000 is what has been donated so far.

Madi Jobarteh has said it will be very shameless for Yankuba Touray to appeal his death sentence.

Mr Touray was last week sentence to death after being convicted of the murder of former finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay in 1995.

Appearing on For The People By The People Show on Sunday, Madi Jobarteh said: “It’s so shameless. Somebody told me Yankuba will appeal, that he has that right. I said well I think it will be very shameless for Yankuba to appeal. What are you trying to deny? What are you trying to prove, really?

“You did not stand trial for 26 years. You never had the audacity to even come and tell people, Gambians this is what happened in my house.

“What kind of human being are you? And you’re still struggling to deny? What are you trying to deny? But I guess we have souls like that in our human society. We have to live with them.”

Coach Pasamba Jow has blasted those attempting to question Justice Ebrima Jaiteh credibility telling them: ‘give us a break’.

Justice Jaiteh last week made a huge judgment when he convicted and sentence former AFPRC junta member Yankuba Touray to death for killing Ousman Koro Ceesay. Some people began questioning the justice’s integrity by sharing posts he had previously made on the APRC.

But commentator Coach Pasamba Jow co-hosting For The People By The People Show on Sunday said: “The judge did what was supposed to be done. I have seen people jumping and saying, ‘oh the judge, he wrote in 2017’. Give us a break! The judge did not try the case.

“The prosecution tried the case and what the judge did, in his summation of the evidence… What he read were the evidence that was presented before the court.

“He did not add one or two to the evidence. And the sentence that he handed out is the sentence that is in our statutes.”

PPP has explained how it abolished the death penalty in 1993 amid much talk around Yankuba Touray.

Mr Touray was last week handed the death penalty for killing Ousman Koro Ceesay and there have been talk the death penalty was introduced by the PPP government.

The party in a statement said: “The PPP, as an advocate and champion of Human and Peoples Rights strongly believe that the death penalty should be abolished in The Gambia as it violates the right to life which happens to be the most basic of all human rights. It also violates the right not to be subjected to torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatments or punishments.

“In a statement presented to the World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in June 1993, the late President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara declared that “the death penalty is increasingly difficult to reconcile with evolving human rights standards, that it is a cruel and inhumane punishment and that it has no value, no useful purpose concerning crime prevention and control.”

“In 1980 Mustapha Danso was sentenced to death for the murder of the Deputy Commander of the Field force Eku Mahoney. “Yet, irony beset the application of the full brunt of the law. I do not believe in the death penalty but I was obliged under the constitution to be advised by the committee of the Prerogative of Mercy comprising Dr. S J Palmer as Chairman, Mr. Melville E Jones, and Alh Bun Gaye as members, with attorney General M L Saho as legal adviser and secretary” (Kairaba). While the committee was considering the case of Danso in the event of 30th July 1981. “Danso was set free from jail that same morning by the rebels. He armed himself and went on a rampage murdering innocent civilians” (Kairaba). That led to the execution of Mustapha Danso by firing squad on the 30th September 1981.

“After the execution of Mustapha Danso, Sir Dawda had made several public pronouncements that he was personally against the death penalty, and he had been regularly granting clemency to people under the death sentence.

“PPP abolished the death sentence in April 1993. It should be noted that, at the time of the abolition of the death sentence, over eighty (80) people were already on death row.  

“The Gambia is generally a conservative nation, undoubtedly there will be overwhelming public support for the death penalty, but enforcement of the death penalty by the states does not necessarily makes it right. We appeal to all the political leaders to underline the incompatibility of capital punishment with human rights and human dignity.

“What makes the death penalty different from life imprisonment is that the judgment cannot be reversed, it is a final punishment. However, what if new evidence proof that the prisoner was innocent? Then there is the possibility of executing of an innocent person. Our criminal justice system is run by human beings, it will always remain susceptible to human error. Unlike prison sentences, the death penalty is irreversible and irreparable which suffice a good reason to abolish it once and for all.  

“We, therefore, appeal to President Barrow on the occasion of Eid-ul Adha, a day of blessings and forgiveness to commute all death sentences to life imprisonment.”

The Gambia has recorded a massive over 310 new cases over the weekend as the ministry of health issued a statement using all citizens to ‘strictly’ follow prevention and control measures.

The health ministry in a statement on Sunday called on all citizens and non-citizens to observe social distancing, wear face masks and avoid overcrowded places amid Covid’s dangerous return.

The statement said: “As Muslims around the World and in particular The Gambia will celebrate Eid-ul Adha commonly known as ‘Tobaski’ on Tuesday 20th July 2021, the Ministry of Health hereby urges all citizens and people residing in The Gambia to strictly follow COVID-19 prevention and control measures by meticulously observing social distancing, wearing of face mask, avoiding overcrowded places, avoiding handshaking, frequent hand sanitising and washing hands with soap and clean water.

“The Ministry wish to remind the public that, the PUBLIC HEALTH (DANGEROUS INFECTIOUS DISEASES) PROTECTION REGULATIONS, 2020 has been promulgated and that the provisions enshrined in the Regulations empowers the Minister of Health to institutes strict measures as when and where necessary. The success of slowing down or limiting the transmission or importation of the virus at first phase indicated the extent of cooperation by all members of the society. However, this may change if the recommended measures are not observed especially during this period of Eid celebration with its associated events such as social visits and other places that attract mass gathering. Undoubtedly, the wave of reported cases of COVID 19 will depend largely on public adherence to the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health and its partners.

“Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with its partners assure the general public that, appropriate, affordable and quality health service delivery will continue to be provided at all times without comprising the approved standards.

“In conclusion, the Ministry of Health is soliciting the continuous support and cooperation of the general public in its efforts to contain COVID-19. Stay alert is one of the most powerful steps in the fight against COVID 19, thus, to all those celebrating please stay safe and Eid Mubarak. Ministry of Health wish everyone an enjoyable and healthy Eid celebration.”

APRC deputy spokesman Dodou Jah has confirmed he supports President Adama Barrow and will do all he can for the president to win the December presidential election.

“I’m not only supporting him, I will also do all I can for him to win the election,” Mr Jah told our editor-in-chief Lamin Njie Sunday evening.

The liberal-minded politician however said he remains a member of the APRC ‘1000%’ and that his decision to support President Barrow is an individual decision and position.

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a statement condemning comments purportedly by the alkalo of Babylon Lamin Jarju.

NHRC’s statement signed by chairperson Emmanuel Joof reads: “The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is aware of a video recording on GTTV in which a man purported to be the Alkalo of Babylon, a settlement near Lamin village in the West Coast Region, made derogatory statements about Christians. His comments included his disapproval of the construction of a church in his village or allocating land for such a purpose. The Commission finds the remarks of the said Alkalo to be wrong, unwarranted, insensitive, demeaning, unjustified and totally disrespectful towards a faith whose believers have every right to construct their place of worship in the country.

“The Commission wishes to remind the Alkalo of Babylon, and every person residing in The Gambia, that the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia prohibits discrimination on any ground and guarantees the fundamental right to practice and manifest one’s religion without fear of persecution. These rights are untouchable, indivisible and inalienable. As a Public Officer and Community Leader, the Alkalo of Babylon is duty-bound to respect, protect and fulfil the fundamental human rights and freedoms of all people. To deny the construction of a place of worship in his community or refuse the allocation of a land for such a purpose is a flagrant violation of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia, and an abuse of power, trust and authority which will not be tolerated in The Gambia.

“Public officials, including Alkalolu, are guarantors and defenders of human rights and must not only be seen to be fair in the dispensation of their mandate but must also treat every citizen equally, by providing equal, just and equitable opportunities to all. To refuse to allocate land to people for the purpose of the construction of a place of worship is illegal and an affront to the constitutionally guaranteed rights.

“The Commission reiterates that in The Gambia no one faith is more important than the other. The Constitution guarantees equal status to all religions and protects the rights of all people to practice their religions. Thus, no Public Officer can arrogate to himself or herself the legal authority to prohibit the existence or construction of a place of worship in his or her community or be discriminatory in the allocation of land for such purposes.

“Given that the Alkalo of Babylon is a public official, the Commission calls on the Minister of Lands and Regional Government to immediately take action against such a behaviour, and to demand the withdrawal of the offensive statements and a public apology from the said Alkalo. Public officials are expected to be measured in their public statements, promote peace and tolerance, protect human rights and be exemplary in their words and actions. Sowing seeds of discord or instigating hostility towards any one group is not only counterproductive but a danger to social justice and security of the country.

“The Commission has a zero-tolerance policy to political, religious and tribal bigotry and would not hesitate to condemn such actions in no uncertain terms by any individual or group who engages, promotes, encourages or incites such unacceptable behaviour. NHRC would also continue to play its watchdog role as the public promoter and protector of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of all persons residing in The Gambia, a mandate it would not backtrack from.”

Police have announced the passing on Sunday of an assistant superintendent of police, Alieu Sanneh.

Police said Sanneh died on Sunday in Busura.

Police said in a statement: “The Inspector General of Police, the entire management and staff of the Gambia Police Force, regret to announce the death of their colleague and brother Assistant Superintendent of Police Alieu Sanneh Station Officer at Serrekunda Mobile Traffic Annex who passed away today Sunday 18th July, 2021 at  Busura Village WCR.

“This sad news is extended to The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed and Security Services, His Excellency Mr Adama Barrow, Vice President, Her Excellency Dr. Isatou Touray, the Minister of Interior Hon. Yankuba JN Sonko, Service Chiefs, friends and relatives in the Gambia and abroad.”

By DailyMail

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has tested positive for Covid despite having had both vaccinations, he revealed today.

The 51-year-old Tweeted at 1.33pm: ‘This morning I tested positive for Covid. I’m waiting for my PCR result, but thankfully I have had my jabs and symptoms are mild.

‘Please make sure you come forward for your vaccine if you haven’t already.’

Mr Javid had his first Oxford-AstraZeneca jab on March 17 and was given a follow up dose on May 16.

Scientists have always said vaccines are not 100 per cent effective at preventing Covid transmission — the main purpose of jabs is to reduce severe illness and prevent death.

He tested positive for the virus on a rapid lateral flow test and is waiting for a result on the more accurate PCR test.

Famous comedian Baba Jah has said he has escaped a drive-by shooting in the United States.

Mr Jah posted a 59-second video on his Bah Ebou Facebook page Saturday where he is seen showing a bullet and a bullet hole in his car.

In the video, Mr Jah said he doesn’t know who were behind the act. He also in the video displayed his amulets saying he always wear them in America.

Ebrima Sorie Bah who championed the campaign for President Adama Barrow to disregard calls for him to step down after three years has confirmed withdrawing his support for the president.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, the former Gambia for Five Years and Peace-building secretary general said he has now seen the president’s true colours.

“For now, I have seen his true colours. Yes of course [I regret it]… For having been in the party for the past one year, having been in the party, in the political council,” he said.

According to Mr Bah, the president has lost control of the government and he cannot imagine him winning the December election.

Mr Sorie Bah in January last year broke down in tears as he led thousands of Gambians who called on President Adama Barrow not to succumb to pressure from Three Years Jotna to resign according to a three years deal he made with coalition 2016 leaders.

“I cried because I could see the country on the brink of conflict,” Mr Bah said. He however said he did not regret asking the president to continue and serve for five years.

Gambia Action Party has called on President Adama Barrow to rescind its one-day public holiday declaration.

In a statement, the Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly-led party said: “From the very beginning of Gambia Action Party, we promise to respect the plight of the people and render honest and sincere advices to the government of the day for the best interest of the nation. We are calling on the President to revisit the declaration of making only Tuesday as a public holiday in observance of Tobaski feast.

“The Gambia as a nation has over eighty percent of Muslim population and we urge the Government to make Monday half working day and accord the Public and Civil Servants who may want to travel to the inland country to spend time with their families, Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays and work resumes on Thursday.

“We must be conscious of the fact that our nation at this juncture is in dare need of prayers as we approach elections campaign full of uncertainties due to security threats. Our collective efforts and responsibilities must be geared towards nurturing national peace and stability. We are calling on all the citizens regardless of political beliefs to preach peace and unity to ensure election free from violence and its related issues.

“Our faith has been tested on previous occasions during an unprecedented period that engulfed the nation with fear and worrisome, but we managed and proved to the world that our strength rest on nationalism, togetherness and tolerance. Our time arrive to maintain similar features that will shape our destiny as a nation through hard work, unity and sincerity.”

Police have issued a statement over the return of the mandatory wearing of face mask set to begin on Saturday.

In a statement Friday, police said: “Following the recent surge in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country, the general public is hereby informed that the Gambia Police Force will intensify the enforcement of the Compulsory Facemask Wearing Regulations effective tomorrow Saturday 17th July 2021.

“In this regard, all individuals are advised to wear a  facemask before accessing public places such as Markets, Public transports , Public roads, Banks , Offices and other service areas.

“The public is further urged to support Law Enforcement Officers and the Ministry of Health in the fight against the spread of the virus by strictly adhering to the compulsory wearing of facemask,   maintain social distancing and follow health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. The cooperation and support of the public is highly solicited.”

A member pro-President Barrow movement seeking to return President Adama Barrow to State House in the December election has called on the president to appoint a new cabinet. Sidia Bayo stated this while parleying with reporters. Watch video.

Gunjur’s Sheikh Ismaila Manjang died on Friday, his family has announced. He was 76.

The cleric was a respected religious leader who was fearless in spreading the word of God.

Sheikh Sulaiman Danjo has extensively written on the top cleric in his book, as translated by Basidia M Drammeh.

Biography of Sheikh Ismaila Manjang

By Sheikh Sulaiman Danjo – translated by Basidia M Drammeh

He is the great educator, Imam Ismailaa bin Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin known as “Arafang Malang Manjang” Ibn Muhammed Lamin Manjang ibn Abu Bakr Mnajang famously known as “Manjang

Fing”. Sheikh Manjang is a resident of Gunjur, but originally hails from Suluko- May God protect him. He is a graduate of Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and principal of the Khaled Bin Al-Waleed Islamic School in Kombo Gunjur.

Birth and upbringing:

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang was born on June 12, 1945, in Gunjur in Kombo South. He grew up in the custody of his father, Sheikh Muhammad Lamin Manjang, known as “Arafang Malang Manjang” – May God have mercy on him. His older brother is Sheikh Noha Manjang, the Muezzin of the Gunjur Mosque. May God protect him.

As for his great-grandfather, he is the sheikh Foday Abu Bakr Manjang Fing – May God have mercy on him), who had historical encounters with the kings of Brikama, as well as the colonists. The family is originally from the village of Seuluko in Guinea-Bissau. The Manjang family was famous for bravery and possessed high skills in hunting, and the descendants were skilled and experienced in war machines.

His quest for knowledge in traditional learning circles:

In the early fifties, Sheikh Ismaila began his educational career in the traditional learning circles of Gunjur, starting with the Sheikh Omar Jammeh’s learning circle, known as “Fajerreh Jammeh,” may God have mercy on him. The latter’s learning circle was in Jammeh Kunda. Sheikh Ismaila Manjang spent nearly three years under the tutelage of Jammeh, where he learned Arabic alphabets.

Then he turned to the learning circle of Sheikh Muhammed Lamin Bojang, known as “Arafang Malang Bojang,” may God have mercy on him. The traditional learning circle known as Majlis was on the southern side of the Grand Mosque, where the house of “Sandang Bojang” is located. He stayed there for a short period.

In the mid-fifties, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang turned to the learning circle of Sheikh Abu Bakr Jabang, known as “Arafang Demba Jabang,” may God have mercy on him where he spent a long period during which he mastered the Arabic alphabet in the traditional method known,  as (the Baysimim method).  In the same learning circle, he read the Qur’an until he completed it in the conventional manner, which enables the student to read the Quran without focusing on memorization abstractly. Then he proceeded to study Shari’a sciences in accordance with the Maliki school.

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang used to help his sheikh in educating younger students, such as Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray, Sheikh Dembo Kurus Touray, may God have mercy on him, and others.

 Transition to regular schools:

In the early sixties, one of the associates of Sheikh Hattab Bojang opened an Arab school in Gunjur Barrow Kunda, specifically in the house of Kejara Barrow, who is Sheikh Kawsu Omar Jatta, where he taught children the Arabic language. When Sheikh Ismaila Bojang heard about it, he moved in. This coincided with the opening of Arabic school in Latrikunda Jaman by Sheikh Hattab Bojang, specifically in the home of his friend Sheikh Dodou Faal, may God have mercy on them, where he taught children,  so when the youth of Gunjur heard that one of the sons of Gunjur opened a regular Islamic school in Latrikunda Jaman, they went to him and insisted on relocating the school in Gunjur. The Sheikh yielded, with the school being consequently relocated to Gunjur, his hometown. This was the underlying factor behind the relocation of the school from Latrikunda Jaman to Gunjur.

About seventeen years ago, and since 1962. Sheikh Ismaila Manjang was one of the first students enrolled in Sheikh Hattab Bojang’s school in that year, at most outstanding. They were about seventeen.  Since 1962, Sheikh Ismaila began to accompany Sheikh Hattab Bojang constantly and remained attached to him until his death in 1984, except for travel and other essentials. Until he became a shadow of the sheikh, may God have mercy on him. In 1962, Sheikh Hattab moved his school to his hometown of Gunjur and resumed teaching in a small house that belonged to one Mr. “Fasaikou Bojang, Abdul Wahab Bojang’s father, may God have mercy on them., He was the only young man who belonged to the “Karaba” area – which supported the then (PPP) ruling party. Karaba area was involved in a longstanding political rivalry and tribal tension with “Karanding” – the pro-opposition (UP) party. Karanding was the area that Sheik Hattab Bojang, may God have mercy on him, belonged to. Certain people from the “Karaba” area spew out enmity simply because he was from “Karanding.” As for Sheikh Ismaila Manjang, despite being from the Karaba area, he was not affected by these political conflicts and tribal strife.

Between 1976 and 1977, his mentor, Sheikh Hattab Sharif Bojang, appointed him as a teacher in the Kombo Sanyang public primary school, at the age of 31, to succeed Sheikh Dembo Kurus a scholarship in Kuwait in the 1976.

In 1977, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang participated in the training course supervised by Sheikh Hattab Bojang in coordination with Saudi universities to qualify teachers in public schools. After the training course, he was transferred from Sanyang Primary School to Gunjur Primary School.

 Among the students who participated in this training course were Sheikh Essa Darboe, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray, Dr. Mbai Kebba Kah, Imam Baba Leigh, Sheikh Tijan Kah, Sheikh Sidya Ceesay, and Imam Ratib Sheikh Ali Moaz Kah, Sheikh Omar Bun Jeng, Sheikh Kawsu Jatta, Sheikh Bala Musa Fatty, and others.

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang has benefited from Sheikh Hattab Bojang in many aspects, for example:

On the academic side: When Sheikh Hattab sat to explain the Qur’an in Janneh Kunda, Sheikh Ismaila was among those who attended this learning circle and read the exegesis of the entire Quran to Sheikh Hattab Bojang. Sheikh Hattab used to refer to several books of Tafseer in his explanation. However, Tafseer Ibn Kathir was his primary reference, along with the Tafseer Al-Baghawi and Jalalain, may God have mercy on him.

Years later, the Tafseer learning circle was transferred to the main mosque, but that did not continue, so it stopped.

As a result, the Majlis was moved to Sheikh Hattab’s house in “Bojang Kunda.”  The Sheikh started giving lessons in various fields, such as hadith, jurisprudence, among others. The Sheikh’s Tafseer learning circles helped enable Sheikh Ismaila Manjang to master Tafseer. In the regular school, Manjang was one of the outstanding students who excelled in language, jurisprudence, history, and so on, so when Sheikh Hattab opened an Islamic school in the border village of Katong in 1964, He chose four of his distinguished students to teach there, including Sheikh Ismaila.

Due to his closeness to the Sheikh, his manners resembled those of his mentor, Sheikh Hattab Bojang. May God have an understanding on him, as evidenced by his frankness and lack of flattery, honesty, honesty and humility, in addition to his eagerness to volunteer work and embrace of students, especially those who came from outside the Gambia, and other things that I cannot mention here. 2- The ethical side: Sheikh Ismaila has been involved in his Sheikh’s life for a long time, since 1962, until he died in

1984. He never stayed away from him except when the Sheikh travelled outside the country or otherwise. Despite his proximity to the Sheikh, he did not receive a scholarship to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to continue his studies until late, after the death of Sheikh Hattab. May God have mercy on him.

His enrollment in Umm Al-Qura University

In 1983, Sheikh Hattab travelled to Saudi Arabia. He presented papers by many students to Saudi universities; among these students were Sheikh Ismaila Manjang, Sheikh Kawsu Jarju from Brikama, Sheikh Ahmed Jako, Sheikh Musa Jaiteh from Katong, Sheikh Ibrahim Touray, and others.

In 1984, before the admission results were announced, the Gambia was shocked by the death of one of its pillars, Sheikh Hattab Sharif Bojang! May God have mercy on him and make the highest Paradise of Heaven his resting place.

In 1985, following the death of Sheikh Hattab Bojang (may God have mercy on him),  the names of those admitted to Umm Al-Qura University were announced; amongst those admitted were Sheikh Ismaila Manjang, Sheikh Ebrahim Touray, Sheikh Musa Jaiteh, Sheikh, Ahmed Jako, and Sheikh Kawsu Jarju. Thus, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang joined Umm Al-Qura University, where he continued his studies until he graduated in 1988.  During his stay in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, he participated in many training courses and learning circles in the Great Mosque of Mecca.

His educational efforts:

After Sheikh Ismaila Manjang graduated from Umm Al-Qura University, he returned to The Gambia. Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray and Sheikh Essa Darboe, who had graduated before him at the Islamic University in Madinah, had already taken over the management of Sheikh Hattab Bojang’s educational projects, renaming the Sheikh Hattab School in Gunjur as Khalid Bin Al Waleed Islamic School.

When Sheikh Ismaila Manjang returned to The Gambia, he joined them and worked with them as a team. When they set out to restore several schools, Sheikh Ismaila was appointed as principal of the

Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed Islamic School in Gunjur. At the same time, Sheikh Essa Darboe became Principal of the Solidarity Center for Islamic Studies in Serrekunda, and Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray became head of the Islamic Solidarity Association for West Africa. From 1988 to the present day, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang has continued to serve as the principal of the Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed Islamic School in Gunjur. In addition to his administrative work, he teaches Tafseer and other subjects in the school and provides other classes at the Solidarity Center for Islamic Studies in Serrekunda. In addition to these duties, he also offers lessons in his mosque about Tafseer and hadith, addressing questions raised by the students after these lessons.

His Da’awah efforts:

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang is one of the leading preachers in the country, as shown by his weekly Radio Gambia program broadcast every Friday in which he interprets the Quran. He is also one of the founders of the famous Islamic radio program ‘Islamic Forum,’ which he used to present with Sheikh Omar Bun Jeng, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Janneh and Sheikh Sidya Ceesay (may God have mercy on them).

Sheikh Ismaila is also one of the clerics who serves as a substitute for the imam Ratib of the mosque during the five daily prayers when the usual imam is unavailable and has a mosque in his compound where he leads Friday prayers. He began his clerical career under his mentor Sheikh Hattab Bojang before working with Sheikh Omar Bun Jeng and occasionally with Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray. At other times he delivers sermons alone. His Da’awah is focused chiefly on correcting beliefs, fine-tuning morals, calling for unity, and similar issues.

His charitable projects:

During his study at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, an amicable relationship has developed between Sheikh Ismaila Manjang and some Saudi students, including Sheikh Abdul-Samad Al-Bukhari, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asiri and others, and they were his best friends at the university. This relationship resulted in numerous benefits for many Gambian cities and villages, as he built more than ten mosques in the Gambia.

His ordeal:

God Almighty said: “And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allah] and the patient, and We will test your affairs.”

He also said: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits but give good tidings to the patient.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, which people are most severely tested?” He replied: “The Prophets, then the next best and the next best. A person is tested according to his religious commitment. If he is steadfast in his religious commitment, he will be tested more severely, and if he is frail in his religious commitment, his test will be according to his commitment. Trials will continue to afflict a person until they leave him walking on the earth with no sin on him.”

Sheikh Ismaila was well-known for clarifying his approach in Da’awah, his keen desire to follow the Sunnah, and his condemnation of heresies and superstitions. His Da’awah was characterised by wisdom and sound advice, in addition to frankness and fearlessness.  However, he was not spared by the cunning of his detractors and enemies.

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang, like other reformists who refuse to tolerate evil, has been subjected to many trials by his enemies, the most famous of which were his arrests on two occasions during the reign of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh (may God forgive him).

First: In 1996, two candidates ran for Parliament in the Kombo Constituency, where Gunjur is located. One of the candidates was Mr. Kebba Barrow, a Muslim who was then running for the United Democratic Party (UDP) and currently the majority leader in Parliament. The other candidate was Mr. Paul Mendy, a Christian and the local candidate for the ruling party candidate. That year’s parliamentary elections ended with Mendy winning the parliamentary seat for the ruling party, defeating the opposition party candidate, Barrow.

On the day of the election, Sheikh Ismaila led Maghreb prayers in the mosque, delivering a sermon following the completion of the prayer in which he reassured the congregation, and urged them to be patient, referring to the hadith of the Messenger of God (may God’s prayers and peace be upon him), which states: ‘How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything, and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah, which is good for him; if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and is better for him.  Sheikh Ismaila added, “This is a trial from God, so take it in good faith, as long as you have exerted your efforts, remain patent and be content with God’s fate and destiny.”

After dinner, a group of police officers turned up to question him about the sermon when he returned home. Sheikh Ismaila explained that he was explaining the stance of a believer to the mosque congregation to reassure them. The next day, security operatives returned to his home, where they found him laying out the prayer mats in the mosque and arrested him on the orders of the then Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sankung Badjie. The sheikh was taken to the Brikama Police Station, where he was detained overnight and was subsequently released the following day after his innocence was established.

The second occasion: In 2011, a Da’awah lecture was held in Gunjur, with Sheikh Omar Faba Gitteh (may God protect him)  as the Guest speaker.  Sheikh Ismaila Manjang was a commentator since he is one of the city’s prominent leadership figures and dignitaries. In his speech at the event, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang condemned those who, according to the information given to him by his mentor, Sheikh Hattab Bojang, had been visiting heretical shrines on the coast of Gunjur and elsewhere. Because of that speech, Sheikh Ismaila’s enemies accused him of targeting the Head of State in his condemnation because the latter had visited the shrines in question, asserting that this indicated Sheikh Ismaila’s message was politically motivated. He was subsequently arrested again and remained in detention for more than a week, during which he was subjected to severe harassment. He was, however, released after being found innocent.

The persecution inflicted on Sheikh Ismaila is a carbon copy that befell his mentor Sheikh Hattab Bojang with the government due to politically and tribally motivated charges. Neither cleric condemned the Head of State in particular, with both simply delivering sermons which their enemies chose to misrepresent as condemnation and sedition against the Head of State; ultimately, however, God exonerated them, proving their innocence and saving them from the machinations of evil people.

May Allah have mercy on his soul.