By Ousman Mbowe

It is surprising, yet fascinating how a group of people who have crowned themselves as the custodians of the faith of Islam in this country—the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC)—could feel so threatened by the message and efforts of a group of people—the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at—who they (the SIC) keep labelling as being false, and propagating false messages.

On Tuesday 23^rd January 2018, the SIC sent a letter to PURA, once again lunching an attack on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, toiling to suppress the rights of the Ahmadi Muslims to freely profess and propagate their faith as accorded to all citizens of the country by the constitution of the Gambia which is binding upon everyone residing in the country, including the Supreme Islamic Council. The SIC have issued a statement, aiming to compel PURA to discriminate against members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at based on their religious beliefs, telling PURA to deny the Ahmadi Muslims a Television license, claiming that it will be “a powerful propaganda tool”. They also claim that it will be a means “to adulterate the minds of the Ummah” of the Gambia and neighbouring countries. To make clear their reason for taking such a step, the SIC claimed emphatically that their objection was based on their belief that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at was declared to be outside the pale of Islam by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

A lot has been written lately in response to the SIC regarding their letter to PURA, targeted at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at; making statements which is utterly unconstitutional, irrational, and immature. This article will be focused primarily on giving Muhammad Lamin Touray and the Supreme Islamic Council an easy way out in their unquenchable thirst to annihilate the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at once and for all. This is a strategy which has over the years been used by all the truthful, against the liars, and in all cases, without exception, it never failed to yield success.

I will start with a quotation from the Holy Qur’an which has given the believers, the truthful, and the faithful glad tidings and hope, when it says:

“And say, ‘Truth has come and falsehood has vanished away. Falsehood does indeed vanish away fast.” (17:81).

And in another place Allah, the All-Knowing said:

“…Verily, Allah does not allow the work of mischief-makers to prosper. And Allah establishes the truth by His words, even though the sinners be averse to it.” (10:81-82).

History has always been there to guide and remind us. We learn from it the mistakes of the past, and it becomes an eye opener for future generations. Unfortunately, it appears that the Muhammad Lamin Touray and the SIC do not know the basic history of religion, or maybe their hatred for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at has made them blind to basic rules placed down by Allah in dealing with people who believed to adhere to falsehood. It is worth remembering that believers never ever fear the message of the disbelievers, nor do believers struggle to suppress the message of the disbelievers. On the contrary, it has always been the disbelievers who fear the message of the believers, having sleepless nights worrying about the message of the believers, fearing lest it overtakes them all due to the weakness of their arguments. Ultimately, when the disbelievers find that they are losing all strength against the forceful message of the believers and the truthful, they resort to violence, oppression, the use of force, and of course, levying all sorts of lies, with the hope that their lies will help them defeat the message of the truthful. But what has always been the result of such battles as we find in the history of religion? No matter the number of forces that come together to fight against the true message, and no matter what power and resources the enemy can gather to fight against a handful of believers, the believer always, always succeed, prosper, and become victorious. This is simply because Allah, the Almighty, Who has power over all things, and Who is the lover of truth and an enemy to falsehood, said in the Holy Qur’an:

“They desire to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light even if the disbelievers hate it.” (61:8).

“Allah has decreed: ‘Most surely, I will prevail, I and My Messengers.’ Verily, Allah is Powerful, Mighty.” (58:21).

These are very beautiful promises that Allah made; promises which are enjoyed only by the true believers, being faithful, and spreading only the truth to ultimately attain success with the help of Allah. The disbeliever however will never stop trying to fight against the truth, but they keep on failing woefully, always being put to shame, and finally resorting to the use of force to exterminate those adhering to the truth.

Where Muhammad Lamin Touray and the Supreme Islamic Council failed in all their efforts to challenge the strong, truthful, and divine message and arguments of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, they feel threatened. Being unable to counteract the arguments of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the SIC hide in their caves, making noise, and throwing pebbles at the path of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, with the pseudo hope of hindering its success. The SIC has pathetically  struggled to label the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at as outside the pale of Islam, bringing forth no proofs whatsoever, but only rambling about as Abu Jahl used to do when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was busy preaching the pure and divine message of Islam. History shows us all that Muhammad Lamin Touray and the SIC are only threading the path of the enemies of truth that preceded them. It is therefore no surprise or threat to any Ahmadi Muslim that they keep spreading falsehood against a community—the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at—whose members do not think about them, nor waste a calorie of energy worrying about their rambling; they only remind us of Abu Jahl and his kind. If Muhammad Lamin Touray and the SIC believe that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is based on falsehood, why do they fear the message of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at so much? When does truth start fearing falsehood? Again, are they forgetting basic religious history? Don’t they have their Al-Falah Radio Station? Shouldn’t others accuse them of using it as a propaganda tool with which they adulterate the minds of the masses? Did anyone complain or object to that? Muhammad Lamin Touray and the SIC are a bunch of Wahhabis trained from Saudi Arabia, and no one objects to their filthy style of Islam because they are of no threat to the existence of any faith. Have they forgotten that they (Wahhabi) were also labelled as Kuffar (disbelievers) through several Fatawa (Islamic edicts), by different scholars and Imams? Let me refresh your minds a little on one such Fatwa declared by the Alh-e-Sunnat Scholars; the Fatwa is quoted as follows:

“In this age, all false sects put together have caused less damage and injury to Islam than just one group of Wahhabis/ Deobandis. This group, even after departing from Islam, is still posing as a Sunni Hanafi sect with the result that the Sunni Hanafi brethren who do not have full knowledge are deceived. Considering them as their co-religionists, they mingle with them and they are caught in the web of Wahhabis, Deobandis.” (Ishtihar [Announcement] Muhammad Ibrahim Bhagalpuri, published by Barqi Press, Lucknow, India).

If one’s faith depends on the verdicts of others instead of Allah’s, I wonder why Muhammad Lamin Touray and his Supreme Islamic Council Wahhabi folks regard themselves as Muslims after already being kicked out of the pale of Islam by numerous scholars worldwide, who, since its inception, have declared it as the filthiest group of Muslims and non-Muslims. We do not care what who says about who’s faith; we care only about what Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (saw) say; I only quoted this to remind the SIC that they stand in no position to declare anyone outside the pale of Islam because they themselves have already been kicked out of Islam by numerous scholars throughout the world.

This put aside, I would like to remind Muhammad Lamin Touray and his group that they do not own the Law of the Gambia; they are also under the law. If they, being a religious entity, a group of Muslims despised by many for that matter, can have their media house (Al Falah Radio Station) without anyone saying a word against them, who are they to say that another religious entity cannot operate a media house in this country simply because they do not share their (SIC’s) distorted brand of Islam? Does this mean that if Christians, Tijanis, Sunnis, or even traditional religion adherents wish to operate a television station in the country, the SIC will demand PURA to deny them all because “it will be a means of propaganda, and a means of adulterating the minds of the Muslim Ummah of the Gambia and neighbouring countries”? The SIC should be taught who they are, for I think they have lost their sense of identity.

Finally, with the unending desperation of Muhammad Lamin Touray and the Supreme Islamic Council to eradicate Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, I would like to propose an easy way out to help accomplish that. This is a proposal made by the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi—Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as)—the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at to all scholars, SIC included. He said:

“I am addressing all ‘Ulema and scholars that cursing and abusing is not a nice way. If you want to keep doing this, go ahead. But if you all think that I am a liar, you all have the right to gather in mosques and ask for God’s course on me in your prayers…”

As simple as it sounds, this is the best and only way in which all truthful servants of Allah fought against the liars, the fabricators. If Muhammad Lamin Touray and the SIC are on the right path and dear to Allah, let us take this challenge with the whole world of scholars combined, to pray against Ahmadiyyat for its destruction, instead of trying to create havoc in a nation as peaceful as the Gambia. However, remember that Allah cautioned us, telling us that the prayers of the hypocrites and the liars will never be accepted by Allah. He said in the Holy Qur’an:

“Say: ‘But for your prayers, my Lord would not care for you. You have indeed rejected (the truth), and (the punishment of your rejection) will now cleave you.” (25:77).

Considering the above verse, it makes me fully understand why the prayers and efforts of the entire world of scholars including the SIC against Ahmadiyyat haven’t paid dividend. If they have all along been on the right path and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at being wrong, why haven’t their prayers been accepted? Everyone should think about this keenly.

In conclusion, I would like to quote a challenge that Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as)—the founder of the Ahamdiyya Muslim Jama’at—made when he asked all the scholars to pray against him and his Jama’at. He continued:

“(But) let me tell you, if you all will pray, crying and weeping for nights and nights, if your eyes become sore because of crying and weeping, and even then God will never listen to you, because I am from God. Anyone who will ask God to curse me, it will boomerang on him. My soul has the same truth which was given to Ibrahim (as); I have the same relation which Ibrahim (as) had with Allah. It is impossible for them to eliminate me. If they all join together, if all their living ones and all their dead ones join together, and they all pray against me, even then, they cannot do anything to me. Their prayers against me will be reversed against them as Allah’s curse on them. There is something going on in the heavens. Angels are holding pious people and changing their hearts, filling them with love for our faith. Is there anyone who could stop it? Do all those things which were used against prophets before. Adopt all the bad ways which were used against prophets before. Do your best, try your hardest, and pray even till your death, even then you will find us more and more blessed by Allah. There are hundreds of signs testifying to my truth. But even then the hearts of some people are sealed. Oh my Lord, please be merciful to this Ummah.” (Address of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih [V] at the concluding session of Jalsa Salana Germany, June 26^th, 2010).

If indeed you are truthful, turn to prayers, and stop making childish noise!

A simple advice: Fear Allah! The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) never sought to suppress the propagation of any faith simply because he was confident that he would ultimately prevail. He prayed for victory, and kept preaching only his message, and as promised by Allah in the Holy Qur’an that the truthful are always victorious, he conquered the hearts of men. He did not go running after others like Muhammad Lamin Touray and his ilk. I wonder how you want to be custodians of Islam when you don’t follow simple examples of the life of the best of mankind—Muhammad Rasulullah (saw)!

May Allah guide us all, and protect our beloved Gambia from the evil of Muhammad Lamin Touray and the Supreme Islamic Council. Ameen.

The news that there is an Adama Barrow Foundation for Inclusive Development (ABFID) is a yet another incidence of political patronage that is seeking to derail this country once more. Not long ago we saw the emergence of Barrow Youth Movement. Well before that we saw Barrow receive 57 vehicles from an anonymous donor. In his very early days a Senegalese businessman gave Barrow some houses yet not declared.

Meanwhile, Barrow has refused to make public the declaration of assets by ministers while he himself has not yet declared his own assets as a president. Yet Barrow want us to believe that he is a man who will fight against corruption and ensure adherence to the rule of law? How is that possible when he continues to perpetuate political patronage by creating personal institutions when he is already a sitting president?

Let Barrow be informed that in a democracy sitting presidents do not create foundations or institutions in their name. This is because the objectives of such a foundation or institution are the same objectives that the State has – that is to promote the socio-economic development of the Gambia, of which Barrow is the head. Where then is the borderline between his foundation and movement with that of the State?

When we elected Barrow, the Gambia people are paying him hundreds of thousands of dalasi every month, tax-free! We are giving him a five-star hotel accommodation facility at State House. He enjoys excellent first class medial attention for himself and his family. These incentives, facilities and services are provided to the president so that he has no other business or issue to involve in or worry about other than focusing on the affairs of the nation. On top of all that we have a huge lifetime retirement package for him for life after the presidency. Hence to now create separate personal institutions to do what we are paying him to do already is a clear case of conflict of interest and an act of blatant corruption and disregard of the rule of law. What does Barrow want now?

Where will this foundation generate funds? Who will donate to this foundation? Who will appoint the board of directors and management of this foundation? How will they be appointed? Will this foundation be submitting itself to the laws of the Gambia such as paying its fair share of tax and abide by the necessary regulations in place? Will public funds be diverted to this foundation as we saw happened with the Jammeh Foundation for Peace? Any minute Barrow spends on this foundation means he is cheating that minute from the State for which he is already being paid fully. These are some of the conflict of interest issues surrounding such institutions when sitting president creates them.

It is clear that when there is a Barrow foundation many individuals, businesses and organizations will patronize the foundation, not because they believe it is a good initiative but because they wish to get favours from Barrow and, indirectly to be seen to in the good books of the Gambia Government. This is how individuals and companies get contracts from corrupt leaders and governments. In this way Barrow would therefore be encouraging corruption, bribery and abuse of office which is a violation of our constitution.

We have seen the controversy that surrounded the Bill Clinton Foundation when Hillary Clinton became the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party in the 2016 US elections. Immediately concerns were raised that the foundation got donations thanks to her former position as Secretary of State and the popularity of former Pres. Bill Clinton. Consequently they were forced to reduce their role in the management of the foundation. Yet this foundation was created well after Bill Clinton left the White House. But now Barrow is in the State House and he wants to set up a foundation; certainly that is a recipe for massive corruption.

Barrow must have legal and ethics advisers in State House to guide him. Let him stop following that Yaya Jammeh path which is the typical practice of bad and corrupt dictators in Africa. By creating a foundation as a sitting president it will lead to the dominance of that foundation over the Gambia Government. Public officials will be constrained to apply the full force of the law on his foundation, as they would do to other CSOs and private companies. This means his foundation will therefore get preferential treatment, which is illegal and criminal on the part of those public officers.

I am utterly shocked and scared that within 12 months Barrow has adopted so many malpractices of Yaya Jammeh and African dictators that I wonder how 24 or 36 or 48 or 60 months would look like with him. The incidences of political patronage are already too many. Political patronage is a cancer that provides the perfect fertile ground for corruption, dictatorship and bad governance. The evidence of that are the APRC Regime and many other regimes across Africa. Why therefore would Barrow repeat the same obnoxious acts of bad guys when he vowed to bring about system change?

All Gambians must stand up against Barrow Youth Movement and Adama Barrow Foundation for Inclusive Development. These are institutions of patronage and corruption that can only promote self-perpetuation in power, self-aggrandizement and tyranny at the expense of the people of the Gambia. They have no good use for our country in anyway. If Barrow truly loves the Gambia as he claims let him disband these corrupt institutions and wait until he leaves office to create his own foundation and movements in support of the Gambia.

For the Gambia, Our Homeland.

By Madi Jobarteh

Following the letter written by the Supreme Islamic Council to PURA showing their rejection of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at being issued a TV licence, I write to express my dissatisfaction.

I am disappointed that the leadership of the Council still thinks that Gambian Muslims need to be spoon fed even on the most basic Islamic matters or opinions. I wonder whether the Council knows what their responsibility is. If they do, is this outlined in a document so that they can refer to it as a when necerssary. Or is it that their power (if at all they have legal power) is dynamic so that they can use it against whomsoever they please? Do they know that even prophets have limits? God said to the prophet, CH 42 V 49 “and if they turn away, we did not send you as a guardian over them, your responsibility is only to deliever( the message)

Again in CH4 V81

“Whoever obeys the messenger, obeys Allah and whoever turns his back, we did not send you as a guardian over them”

The Supreme Islamic Council seems not to have limits. They can interfere in any matter. They are not even bounded by democracy.

The Council argues that honouring a TV application by the Jama’at will prove a Powerful Propaganda tool to adulterate   the minds of the  Ummah. What a lame justification?

At this point, I believe that the council does not know what they owe to  Gambian Muslims. In fact, it’s my opinion that their support for Islam failed to compel them to adopt the limits of the Quran. They claim that the Islamic Ummah unaniomoisuly agree that Ahmadiyya is outside the pale of Islam. If this is true, then their responsibility is to do their best to communicate that (so call agreement) to the Islamic Ummah. Period. As opposed to politics, In religion, it is the message you convey to the people that has influence over them not your opposition to other sects. Messengers won by influence not opposition. Listen to the narration of the great acceptors of Islam. Was it fierce opposition or the appealing quality and majesty of the meassge that consumed their disbelief? Khalid Bin Walid, Talhah, Siddique (RA) etc.

Face the Muslims and tell them about how HadhraT Omar Ibn Alkhattab accepted Islam when he actually took off to end Islam. What consumed his disbelief where only a few verses of the Holy Quran. Holy is Allah!

Why Show opposition and enmity when you have beauty to present? Kuntum Khair Ummah

Iblis is an open enemy to mankind yet begged Allah to be given respite. Doesn’t Allah know that He will adulterate the minds of believers? And yet Iblis pledged to stand in Allah’s own way. Supreme Islamic Council, God has taught you in His own way and you failed to take heed.

Religion is for God and not the Council. Take some few minutes to refer to the Quran and that’s exactly what you owe to the people. What is the OIC? When was it established? Are they a pseudo God?

You have consistently said Ahmadis Kalima is Different from The mainstrim Muslims

You have persistently echoed that Ahmadis say filthy words about Allah.

You have throughout maintained that Ahmadis do not believe in Khataman Nabiyyen.

If these are not allegations but facts, then the establishment of  Ahmadiyya TV has come to svfe you and your associates  from more talks.

If on the other hand these were propaganda tools to adulterate the minds of Muslims, then  prepare for shame. Cowards you are; and you shall be defeated.

Do you know how many unislamic channels are watched by people in their houses, in their phones, laptops, desktops? Do campaign against that. Islamic council does not come to active play except when Ahmadiyya is on the arena or Ramadan is to begin. What are you doing on service to the needy? Or are they in fact on your agenda?

You have left the worst records so far. A record of dissention, political alliance, support for dictatorship. The regime has changed and looking at your association with the former regime, your innocence is not guaranteed. Better spend the nights in prayers and during the day you seek forgiveness. For Janneh Commission is still not over

Finally, your show of rejection of this license and the consequent action of PURA will prove a measure of how much democracy we have attained within one year of New Gambia.  The Gambians want to know whether minorities have a share of democracy in the New Gambia or not.

In late August 2012, nine death row inmates were executed. On Sunday August 26, the Ministry of the Interior issued an official statement confirming the deaths of Dawda Bojang, Malang Sonko, Ex-Lieutenant Lamin Jarjou, Ex-Lieutenant Alieu Bah, Ex-Sergeant Lamin F Jammeh, Buba Yarboe, Lamin BS Darboe, Gebe Ba and Tabara Samb.

The government statement read: “Following the convictions and pronouncements of death sentences by the Gambian courts of competent jurisdiction and further to the exhaustion of their appeals, the Ministry of Interior wishes to inform the general public that the …convicts were executed by firing squad on Sunday 26th August, 2012.”

The executions were met by universal condemnation and resulted in the closure of The Standard newspaper for 18 months and Taranga FM station.

Although the government admitted the killings, the bodies were never returned to their families and accounts emerged from eyewitness accounts disputing the manner of the executions as reported by the government.

In this investigative series, The Standard has found out the truth as revealed by the very people who took part in the killings.

According to several members of Jammeh’s hit squad, the Junglers, now in the custody of the Gambian authorities, the killings in fact took place on the night of Thursday 23 to early morning of Friday 24 August at the GAF practice shooting range in the westerly outskirts of Brikama. And the inmates were not shot to death but suffocated and strangled to death.

Jungler Staff Sgt Amadou Badjie said he was picked up from Fajara Barracks at about 7pm on the day and teamed with the other Junglers at Sting Corner on the highway to Banjul from where they proceeded to the central prison at Mile 2.

Jungler Staff Sgt Lamin Badjie also in custody told the investigators that about 10pm to 11pm, they met former Interior minister Ousman Sonko, Gen Saul Badjie, Prison boss David Colley, Lt Col Solo Bojang, “a judge” or the then Justice minister (according to Jungler Staff Sgt Omar A Jallow) and others at the prisons with a piece of paper calling out the inmates.

Warrant Officer Lamin Sambou, a native of Foni Sintet and a Jungler said at first, two prisoners, a male and a female, were brought out with their hands and legs cuffed. He said the nine prisoners were put in two vehicles and he was in a vehicle with Warrant Officer Fansu Nyabally and Capt Michael Jatta. “When we departed from Mile 2 prison, we headed towards the Coastal Road. There, Michael Jatta parked the vehicle and Nyabally put out black plastic bags and covered the heads of [the shackled man and woman] and strapped it and asked me to hold their hands. That is how I hold it [sic] and they died in the vehicle and we went to the range with the dead bodies,” he narrated.

Junglers Staff Sgts Amadou and Lamin Badjie, Omar A Jallow, WO Sambou and others said the prisoners were not killed by firing squad but were executed by putting “double plastic bags” on their heads and suffocating them.

Amadou Badjie pointedly told the investigators: “They were killed by tying a rope around their necks by Rambo [Maj Modou Jarju – at large] and other officers strangled them to death whilst the others participated in holding their hands and legs during the process…”

Sambou said Gen Saul Badjie and Minister Sonko counted and confirmed the bodies before they were put on vehicles and taken to Foni.

Sambou explained: “When we got to a small village in Foni, Solo Bojang came back with one old man who he went with into the bush and later came back. Solo said there is a well where we are going to dispose these bodies. Each dead body was carried by two men to the well. These bodies were handed over to Solo Bojang who finally threw them in the old well after [some] recitation. I finally took these persons’ clothes and shoes from the car to Solo Bojang and Sulayman Badjie at the well. Then we were all asked to back to the vehicles. They were there for 30 minutes and when they came, all of us went back to Kanilai. During the briefing, we were told not to fear anything as it is a state matter. It was after the event I was instructed by Rambo Capt Jarju to watch his car during which I discover blood stains and human waste.”

Source: Standard Newspaper

President Adama Barrow of The Gambia has said that the former Interior Minister, Mai Ahmad Fatty was his childhood friend. The Gambian leader was speaking at a press conference held at the State House in Banjul.

The soft spoken leader who was reacting to allegations of nepotism said if he was only appointing people close to him, Mai Ahmad Fatty would not have been sacked because he was not only his personal lawyer but a childhood friend too.

“Mai Fatty was my childhood friend and personal lawyer,” President Adama Barrow told journalists.

“We are still communicating,” he added.

“Let us not see things on a narrow way but through wider perspective,” he said.

The former real estate dealer turned politician went further to reassure Gambians of his commitment to nation building and the general welfare of the people.

He said that he does not personally know many of the people appointed in his government, adding that among the five regional governors appointed he only knows the former Governor of West Coast, Ebrima Mballow who is the current Interior Minister.

“The new Governor of West Coast was introduced to me at the airport upon my return from an official visit in Nigeria,” he said.

President Barrow said people always complain about appointments of those allegedly close to him but remain silent on the appointment of others.

Meanwhile, the president reiterated his commitment to improve the health sector.

Part of the process for The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to grant television broadcasting licenses is to make a public announcement of received applications and invite the public to send opinions on whether the applicant should or should not be granted the license. As a registered civil society organization, the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC)  has every right to write to PURA to explain why they feel The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat should be denied a license to have a television station in The Gambia. Hard as it is to accept, this bigoted view is shared by many Gambians. Regardless of how we feel about their opinion, they’re entitled to it. Similarly, I am also entitled to have an opinion on their opinion. I say it’s bigoted and hypocritical. I say this behavior by the SIC is a threat to Islam and it’s Monkey Business. I say it matters and we should not ignore it.

Bigotry – To call their actions bigotry is not an insult. It’s simply a description. The dictionary defines “bigotry” as “Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself”. The SIC is intolerant towards the Ahmadiyyas because they preach and practice a slightly different version of Islam, so they ask PURA to deny them the rights to free speech through a television license.  Like it or not, it’s the textbook definition of bigotry.

Hypocrisy – The Ahmadiyya Hospital has existed in The Gambia for several decades. Its doors have always been open to everyone – Muslims of all different sects, Christians and Gambians and non-Gambians alike. Nobody is asked for religious, tribal, racial or religious identification to receive treatment at the hospital. If the SIC were as concerned about religion as they want us to believe, how come we’ve never heard them calling for the hospital to be shut down? Instead, I am highly confident that many of the members and their families have gone to the Ahmadiyya hospital for treatment. The same argument can be made for two of the best high schools in the hospital – Nusrat and Tahir – both built by the Ahamdiyya, both indiscriminately accepting ALL deserving students that walk through their doors. Why has the SIC not advocated for shutting down the schools?

Threat to Islam – In their petition, the SIC claims that granting of a propaganda tool (TV licence) to the Ahmadiyya is “a post existential threat to the Muslim Ummah.” Chapter 109, Suratul Kafirun, teaches Muslims to follow their religion and allow believers of other faiths to follow theirs too.
Chapter 2, verse 256 – Surat Al-Baqarah also states “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.”

I would contend that by trying to shut down people of a different faith, the SIC is the bigger threat to the Muslim Ummah because they’re directly contradicting the teachings of the Quran.

Monkey Business – Putting emotions and ideologies aside, I asked myself “what has this group, SIC and the Imam Ratib, contributed to improving the lives of Gambians?” In the relatively shorter period they’ve been in The Gambia, the Ahmadiyya have built at least 2 schools and a hospital. The benefits of both are immeasurable. Despite their “supremacy,” I cannot name one thing the SIC has contributed to anyone’s life. They’ve been known for receiving cash handouts from the former head of state in exchange for them turning a blind eye to his atrocities against the Gambian people, but what else have they been useful for? I guess that with the dictator gone, the SIC need to find a way to remain relevant in the country. There are better ways to it than targeting minority groups.

I once said that any monkey can destroy, but it’s a lot harder to build. The SIC, rather than try to build their own television station to preach their version of Islam, finds it much easier to sit back and try to hold others back. I suggest that the SIC and its supporters try to focus on building – schools, hospitals or television stations. It will contribute positively to the lives of Gambians. Perhaps more importantly to them, it will attract more Gambians to their version of Islam…or whatever it is they truly believe.

Why it matters – It has been rather encouraging to see so many Gambians condemn the SIC for this petition. I was tempted to not write this because enough has been said on it already. Then I saw one more “scholar” supporting the SIC. This reminded me that we can never have too much condemnation of bigotry, and that every voice matters. Today the SIC is trying to shut down the Ahmadiyya because they’re a different sect of the same Islam. What if the Christians apply for a TV license tomorrow? Some Christians teach that Christ is the son of God. One of the most unacceptable sins according to Islam  is “having associates to God.” How is that any more acceptable to Islam than the Ahmadiyya teachings? So, would the SIC also petition PURA to deny Christians the rights to own a television station? We have a lot of coverage of Church services on Sundays on the national television (GRTS). Can the SIC petition GRTS to stop that “propaganda” also? Where does it end?
With all that said, I still respect the rights of the SIC to state their opinion. I also call on PURA to file that petition under “N”for “noise” or “nonsense”.

‘The world is full of judgment days’, but the laws of nature overmasters our actions so that we are punished when we bend its rules. And when we take short cuts, we are made to suffer. To brush aside murders and other heinous crimes against fellow citizens under the guile of reconciliation is not only disingenuous but t is dangerous and sets a terrible precedent for the rule of law and how we value human life.

Neither scripture nor reasoning can supply substance to any pretext for reconciliation before justice takes its course. The empty idea can gain in decorum but never in principle or in substance. If the doctrine of forgiveness and reconciliation precede justice and is adopted as a blueprint for our way forward, it will not serve The Gambia aright. Politics and events can get in the way for a while but a heavy price will be paid for such gross injustice to the victims. It will be crooked passage in our journey and an unholy trajectory towards the fate of our nation.

Governing is a moral art. For a leader to be truly effective, he must be able to inspire faith and confidence. And to inspire the people, the leader has to be trusted and be respected, which comes about by moral elevation and a keen sense of justice. In other words, for citizens to make sacrifices, undismayed by struggles and privations, the leader must occupy a high moral ground and be just in his disposition. In essence, the fate of a nation depends largely on the moral beatitude of the leadership and the public’s faith in the dispensation of justice.

We do no justice to posterity and to ourselves if we decide that the wicket are to be forgiven and the poor victims can accept the delight gratification that they will have their compensation in the hereafter. There is an eminent fallacy in the idea that preeminent forgiveness and reconciliation can be a serious deterrent for arbitrary executions, rapes and other heinous crimes.

In any serious deliberation, equity must be the basic metrics from which to proceed and charter our new path forward. If we resort to expediency to preserve for a short time a semblance of peace and tranquility by subverting equity, we can be sure to pay direly with future crisis and vigilante justice.

When we depart from justice and attempt at securing reconciliation with half-measures that are good for the aggressors but injurious to their victims; fear and hate will forever build for us a natural partition. The victims will rightfully resent the inequity; the emptiness caused by their pain and suffering will be occupied by bitter indignation. The thugs that allowed themselves to used like hunting dogs by brutal tyrant will forever live in fear; fear is a great equalizer and an instructor of a rare sagacity. There is some rottenness wherever fear emerge and cannot be severed from crimes.

Is it fair and equitable to tell victims to wait and be patient in letting justice takes its course, but have many of the perpetrators of their suffrage and the enablers of a brutal regime become patrons of the new government?

What is the wisdom of having folks like Masaneh Kindeh in charge of our nation’s security, when the same people built their carriers in a cultist fashion around a personality?

If the government can forego the likes of Halifa, with his will, and also forego the likes of Mai Fatty, against his will; how do they explain why they cannot forego the likes of Kinteh and other enablers of the murderous regime in the upper echelon of our securities and defense services?

What type of reasoning or logic give this government the volition that keeping the same capricious ‘hyenas’ around the sheep they were preying on for 22 years – will suddenly evolve into becoming their protectors?

What is stellar in their characters, or what military or political genius do these folks have that would explain why these service ‘prostitutes’ under Jammeh have to be kept at critical positions in the new government?

It is quite disheartening to witness this class of unprincipled military commanders, being given positions of prominence in our new dispensation. Having this group of complicit and morally bankrupt ‘toy soldiers’ around the corridors of power for the second time around is inexcusable, but it is also a form of Russian roulette.

To expect these men to exercise prudence and make a switch from moral turpitude to moral rectitude is an affront to our collective intelligence and an insult to their victims. The deep wounds of so many of these victims hasn’t even begin to cicatrize. I can hardly imagine the hurt of some of these victims on hearing tacit proclamation of innocence by people like Kinteh – that his goons have done nothing wrong.

The APRC, arguably a criminal organization, and its leadership continued to show no remorse for abuses Gambians suffered under the leadership of their party. They still continue to support and celebrate a murderous rapist and a master thief. They still longed for his return and remain dismissive of his innumerable heinous crimes. In their ungratefulness, we are all witnessing their abuse of the new democratic space; something that their “dear leader” was torturing and killing people for.

So why are we now surprised to see that some of Jammeh’s most notorious henchmen have the audacity to boldly enter the country through our main port of entry?

Do you wonder why Umpa, Jarju and Tamba would take such a bold step?

[email protected]

The Supreme Islamic Council poses a clear and present danger to the Gambia because of the bigoted belligerence they have consistently directed at a group of Gambians on account of their religious beliefs. The members of the Ahmadiyya community are Gambian citizens whose right to practice their faith is entrenched in our Constitution that all Gambians must respect and protect without reservation. Any position that damages human rights poses a direct threat to national security and a fertile ground for terrorism.

Section 25 subsection 1(C) clearly stipulates that every citizen has a right to practice any religion and to manifest such practice. In view of this provision, no individual or group in the Gambia has the power or authority to therefore deny any other group or person to practice and manifest his or her religion.

Furthermore Section 33 states clearly that all persons are equal before the law. It went further to state that no person shall be discriminated on account of his religion, colour, sex or political opinion among others. Hence by asking PURA not to grant a television license to the Ahmadiyya Jama’at on account of their religious belief is a clear affront to the Constitution by the Supreme Islamic Council.

Section 33 has categorically made it clear that no public officer shall discriminate against any person in the performance of his or her function. Hence when the Supreme Islamic Council asked PURA not to grant the Ahmadiyya Jama’at a television license because of their religious beliefs, it means the Supreme Islamic Council is therefore asking the Director General of PURA, who is a public officer to discriminate against citizens on account of their religious believe. I hope the Director General of PURA had immediately thrown that obnoxious letter of the Council into the dustbin of shame where it rightfully belongs!

It is utterly unfortunate and a matter of great concern that a legally registered organization such as the Supreme Islamic Council would ask a public authority to directly violate the Gambian Constitution by discriminating against fellow Gambians. The Supreme Islamic Council must understand that they are not elected representatives of the Gambia nor are they the Divine Custodians of Islam or any other religion in the Gambia. Rather the Supreme Islamic Council is a mere civil society organization like any other civil society organization in the Gambia. Hence the Council must limit itself to the promotion and practice of its religious beliefs and let others also concern themselves to the promotion and practice of their religious beliefs.

The action of the Supreme Islamic Council therefore constitutes violence because they are not only directly attacking the very freedom of religion of a body of citizens but they are also directly attacking the existence of this group. It is clear that if the Supreme Islamic Council has the powers in this country, they would certainly kill and uproot the Ahmadiyya community out of the Gambia.

For that matter the relevant authorities in the Gambia Government must summon the Supreme Islamic Council to put it to them that they cannot persecute other Gambians. The Council must be told that their continued attack on the Ahmadiyya community constitutes religious intolerance and discrimination hence pose a direct threat to national security. This unconstitutional action by the Council is indeed the very seeds that give birth to violent extremism or terrorism as we see in other parts of the world.

The Gambia Government and all Gambians must therefore stand up, before it is too late to demand that the Supreme Islamic Council withdraw their letter to PURA or they face prosecution for perpetrating a violation of the Constitution and the sovereign rights of citizens.

The determination of the faith of any person or group is not the function of the Supreme Islamic Council or any other person or authority in the Gambia. The laws of the Gambia guarantee that any Gambian has a right to belief or not belief in any religion of their choice. We must not therefore allow any person or group to arrogate to itself the power and the authority to determine who are believers or non-believers of any religion.

For the Gambia, Our Homeland.

I stand in solidarity with the SIC on its open objection to the issuance of TV license to the Ahmadiyya jamaat.  I have written and reproduced in the past many an evidence against this group, notably their hypocritical identity and well-orchestrated insidious plan to dilute our Islamic texts, sources and evidences to their advantage.  This action by the SIC is well commendable, and I urge all Muslims to add their voices to this genuine and noble call to purify our religion from such imposters.  The importance of all Muslims adding their voices to this sacrosanct call is liked to a group of people in a hall with sudden pitch darkness, a spontaneous touch light from one person would entreat others to turn theirs on.  Individually these lights will be insignificant in providing brightness to the hall but collectively it makes a big difference in providing the occupants the much-needed basic brightness through the exits.

There is no single acclaimed group that the Islamic Ummah has unanimously agreed upon as being out of the pale of Islam other than these hypocrites (Allah’s curse be on them).  Food for thought for those who still ignorantly consider this people as Muslims, is everyone with a Gambian ID card a bona fide national of The Gambia?  Don’t we have competent authority to vet and determine who is Gambian or not in the persons of the Immigration Department.  Is everyone who claims to belong to a political party in The Gambia truly a registered and recognized member?  Is the party not the competent authority to determine who is a registered member or not?  If we can accept these basic mundane facts, why is it so difficult for us to accept that the competent authority in our religion is the Quran, Sunnah and the understanding and interpretations of our rightly guided scholars?  With all due respect to the Presidential Adviser on Religion and Tradition and Minister of Agriculture, you both are not in any position to determine the faith of this group much less condemn our scholars for declaring them as non-Muslims.   Just like our scholars cannot come to your respective parties to decide for you who is a member or not, your position and utterances on this issue should be well scholarly informed and not politically or emotionally driven.  I will paraphrase a quote by late Oustaz Bun (RA) “that any Muslim that this Ahmadi’s convince is ignorant of his religion and should go seek more knowledge of his religion”.

The unfortunate menace with we Africans, especially Gambians is that we think we can be more so called democratic than the founders of the doctrine themselves.  As a result, we want to shelve every value, culture and base we have in governing our people to embrace an ideology that typically does not exist anywhere as a utopia.  Let’s not fool each other, there is no perfect democracy anywhere so what we should be striving for, the least is to implement of it to the extent applicable/consistent with our values, co-existence, cultures and religions.  Take it or leave it, the only two recognized religions in The Gambia since the early era of our forefathers are Islam and Christianity.  We can certainly accept another religion but not an imposter who hides behind your religion to spread his deviant ideology.

To PURA, I strongly advise against issuing TV license to this group whose main objective is to confuse Muslims and water down our religion.  Again, this is a license that would be used to propagate their disbelief, hypocrisy and lies which would ultimately jeopardise our already fragile security situation.  Like I said before, apply the principles of democracy to the extent they would not breach our peaceful co-existence.  We have precedence for this in the case of the Police Vs Occupy West field and the recent suspension of all political gatherings.  In fact I will be the first proponent of issuing this group a license if they openly accept and declare their true faith as Non-Muslims with their own sources and not imposters.  Let them leave our Quran and Sunnah alone and bring forth their own references and we will never have problems with them but until then we will continue to expose them and fight them with every fiber of blood flowing in our veins.  If you turn deaf years to our plea and call for denying this group TV license, we can assure you that we will pray against you all including the government on our pulpits, mosque, gatherings and solo moments.

May Allah grant you the wisdom to do the right thing by standing in solidarity with the SIC on this matter and reject this TV license request.

BB SANNEH

By Musa Bah

It is with surprise and indignation that I read a statement from the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) raising an objection addressed to Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) regarding television license application by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, The Gambia. The statement is advising PURA not to grant the Ahmadiyya Jama’at a license since it will be a powerful propaganda tool ‘to adulterate the minds of the Ummah…’

I thus deem it necessary to write and  expose the fellacy of the argument put forward by the Council and perhaps advise PURA on the right thing to do.There are two sides to this issue. One is the religious angle and the other is political. The first thing to look at is the fact that the Supreme Islamic Council has a right to object but they have no constitutional or moral right to silence any dissenting opinion, ideology, movement, faith or creed. Democracy thrives on pluralism of ideas and opinions [this include religious ideas].

The statement of the Council clearly shows that this objection is informed by their insatiable desire to suppress and exterminate dissenting ideologies and beliefs. This is not inline with the ethos of the New Gambia. The New Gambia exudes or projects a Gambia where divergence thrives and out of it will emerge a more equitable society.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at members are Gambians and have every right – like any other Gambian – to have these rights not only safeguarded but protected as well. The members of this community are law abiding [in fact I can say without fear of contradiction, that no one is more so]. We participate in everything that happens in this country and contribute immensely to the development of the country.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at runs some of the best junior and senior secondary schools in the country. It has also built a number of hospitals across the country which are offering excellent services to the people of the nation. No one objects to these or any other services by the Community. It is hypothetical to welcome schools and hospitals and object to the application to have a television license.

If therefore PURA is to reject the application of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, it most certainly cannot – should not – be based on this flimsy statement. In a country like ours, every individual or group has the constitutional right to exercise freedom of movement,  association, speech, and religion. Such a person or group also has the right to propagate whatever belief they subscribe to. The government is not only dutybound to safeguard these rights, they have the responsibility to protect them as well.

Thus, in the eyes of the Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia, this objection from the Supreme Islamic Council is irrelevant and cannot prevent government from issuing the license.. The Council have the inalienable right to propagate whatever beliefs they hold through any lawful means. Therefore, like the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, they may also apply for a license and counter whatever ‘adulteration’ the Jama’at may cause with their own views.

Looking at the track record of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at on broadcast, we will find that the radio programs that were conducted on various radio stations in the country were never done in a way that could cause problems. They were always ethical peaceful and moral. Furthermore, studying what goes on in other Democratic countries, we will see that different religions or religious sects own television stations each peacefully propagating their views. Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria are just a few of the examples we can look at.

In comparison to the Supreme Islamic Council, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is an organization that is always ready to contribute to the development of the Gambia. Indeed, having a television station is another milestone of development as many sons and daughters of the country will be employed to work there. Besides, the television will increase the level of awareness of Gambians on religion, politics, society and even economy. What is more beneficial than that?

PURA has to be very cautious and ensure that they make their decisions within the laws of the Republic of The Gambia. The premise of the objection raised by the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council is definitely not valid in light of the Constitution.

The Supreme Islamic Council, it has to be remembered, has caused more division in the country than any other organization. The issue of compelling everyone to say the Eid on the same day as Saudi Arabia is a case in point. This, readers will recall, caused a lot of hardships for many people in the country. Imams were arrested and incarcerated for a long time. The truth is, apart from Ramadan, Eid and a progress recorded by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the Supreme Islamic Council is almost nonexistent in terms of engagement with the public. The only time you will hear the SIC is when one of the above three happens.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at was here long before the SIC. On the 18th of February 1965, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Badomali, the then Amir of the Jama’at was among the people who led the Muslim prayers. The Council came into existence long after that. So, how can they now tell PURA not to grant license to the Jama’at?

On the religious point, if we are to follow the example of the Holy Prophet (SAW), he allowed people belonging to differ religions to live in the Muslim society. He never compelled anyone to become a Muslim. He only preached and uses his persuasive skills to convert the people to Islam. He respected the rights of the minorities living in Madinah and guaranteed their freedom of religion and protection. (See the Madinah Pact).

The Holy Qur’an teaches that there should be no compulo in matters of faith. Everyone should have the right to profess any religion and propagate it as well. The truth is that, all the battles fought in early Islam were fought to establish and protect freedom of conscience. That was the stance of the Pride of Humankind and the Best of the Prophets Seyyidina Muhammad (thousands of blessings be upon him.

I urge the government therefore, through PURA, to look at the big picture and realize that this is a test of our democracy; and that it is not only about Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, but about other minorities and indeed the welfare of the whole country. I hope that they reason properly before doing something that has the potential to plunge the country in religious chaos. Let us build build an inclusive and equitable society.

Musa Bah

Nusrat Senior Secondary School

There is fear in the country (at least in some circles), that the security situation is not what it is supposed to be. Peace and stability are two of the most important ingredients of development. Without them, nothing can progress. It is only when there is peace that citizens can work for their welfare, which is also the welfare of the State. Thus everything should be done to ensure that there is peace and stability in the country.

We have given you and your government all the tools to guarantee our protection. You have been given the legal basis to put mechanisms in place to ensure that the territorial integrity of the country is safeguarded from every possible threat. These include that fact that the law has allowed you to have the entire security agencies at all entry points into the country. These include the various borders, the seaport and the airport.

The fact that three former officers of the Gambia National Army accused of a number of atrocious acts returned to the country unnoticed after having left with former president Yahya Jammeh indicate a monumental lapse in the nation’s security. This matter is so grave that suspending suspects alone is not enough. Proper and thorough investigations have to be conducted and if anyone is found wanting, they should be prosecuted. They should face the full force of the law in order for it to serve as a deterrent to anyone who has intentions to harbor any criminals in the future.

This goes to prove that leaving known allies and collaborators of the former president to work in your government is a huge miscalculation which can backfire, if it hasn’t already. Mr President, Yahya Jammeh was in power for twenty-two years and he had supporters and allies. He had people who depended on him. These people are loyal to him and may have a desire to have what they lost back.

So, it is advisable for your government to do a thorough purge of the government and weed out all people who are accused of having done something untoward during the previous government. Otherwise, we can never be sure when some unscrupulous individual will do something which can give way to people with bad intentions that chance to enter the country.

The people who were at the airport on the fateful day that these generals came into the country should be investigated and prosecuted if they are found to have done something bad.

You must handle this carefully and urgently.

Have a Good Day Mr President…

Tha Scribbler Bah

A Concerned Citizen

By Tahir Ahmad Touray

Leeds, United kingdom

I have once again read an interesting statement by the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council. This time it is an objection addressed to Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) regarding television license application by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at The Gambia. The statement is very interesting, amazing, disappointing and shocking.

I am not writing this to condemn their objection; they have the right to object but they have no constitutional or moral right to silence any dissenting opinion, ideology, movement, faith or creed. Unfortunately, their statement clearly shows that their objection is founded on their insatiable desire to suppress and exterminate dissenting ideologies and beliefs. That is the focus of my essay.

If PURA must reject the application of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, it most certainly cannot be based on this flimsy and morally deprived statement. Every person or group in the Gambia has the constitutional right to freedom of movement and association and religion and also the right to propagate whatever belief they hold. The objection that if Ahmadis have a television station in the Gambia, it will adulterate Islam as understood by the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council is a useless objection in the sight of the Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia. They, the Council, also have the inalienable right to propagate whatever beliefs they hold through any lawful means. The best they can do is, like the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, apply for a TV license and operate their own television channel so that they would counter the so-called adulteration of their understanding of Islam. I must note here that PURA has to be very careful and ensure that they make their decisions within the laws of the Republic of The Gambia. The premise of the objection raised by the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council is definitely not valid in light of the Constitution.

If this objection of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council is upheld, it will mark the escalation of religious intolerance in the country. It will be Ahmadis today, then will follow other Muslim groups who have some differing views with the Council and non-Muslims will also be targeted. This is a test for PURA and history shall judge them based on the decision they make. A few years ago, the Council with the support of the Government stopped all programmes by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at on private radio stations and also on the national radio and television. It is this same Council that propounded the idea that Eid in The Gambia must be observed on the same day that it was observed in Saudi Arabia. This led to the arrest of a non-Ahmadi Muslim Imam who decided to not observe the Eid on the same day. This same Council played a role in the demolition of an Ahmadiyya mosque in Sare Ngai in the Central River Region and the imprisonment of some Ahmadi youth for their belief. They succeeded relatively in suppressing other views during the past regime. They are now testing the waters. The future of religious tolerance and respect for the constitutional provision that guarantees freedom of religion and practice and propagation of religion now lies before PURA. The ball is in thier court!

A part of the statement of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council reads, “Television could be used as a powerful propaganda tool to adulterate the minds of the Ummah by a movement which has been classified by the organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to be outside the pale of Islam. The grant of such a propaganda tool to this organization is as much considered to pose an existential t[h]reat to the Muslim Ummah in the Gambia as well as the neighboring countries.”

One thing that must be noted is that whether or not Ahmadis are Muslims is immaterial as far as their application for a TV license is concerned. One does not have to be a Muslim in The Gambia in order to operate a television channel. Where does the statement that Ahmadis should not have the license because they are “outside the pale of Islam” leave the Christians and other non-Muslims in the country? The fact of the matter is that every individual or organization, including the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, has the right to operate a television channel, within the laws of the land. No individual or organization has more rights than another individual or organization in the Gambia. No religion has more right than another religion in the Gambia. All are equal before the law. The Gambia is ruled by her laws not by anyone’s religion or faith or belief. Based on the Constitution, even people whose ‘religion’ is the negation of organized religion have the right to practice and propagate their ideologies in The Gambia as long as long as they do not break the law. And they can do that through the use of any media (including television). This is something the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council must know. They are no better than any individual or organization or group in The Gambia. They also have no constitutional or moral right to decide who belongs to what religion or who should/should not do what.

When the President of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, Imam Muhammad Lamin Touray, was writing and signing this statement, he probably either lost sight of the history of Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) and religion or did not know this basic history. We learn from religious history that Prophets and the religious ideologies they preached were seen as “existential threat” to the false and weak and adulterated ideologies of their contemporaries. Despite the strength and opposition of the adversaries of the religious ideologies of the Prophets, the Prophets’ ideologies prevailed because they were unadulterated and strong and their link extended to Arsh (the Throne of the Creator of the heavens and the earth). If Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is “outside the pale of Islam”, then from an Islamic philosophical perspective, it has a weak ideology like the ideologies of the opponents of the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them). Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) and their righteous followers have never entertained the belief that false ideologies “outside the pale of Islam” could threaten the existence of the truth they followed. In light of this, and based on the unequivocal statement of the Holy Qur’an that “Innal Baatila Kaana Zahuuqa”—Falsehood is surely bound to perish, why should the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC) believe that the television will “pose an existential threat to the Muslim Ummah in the Gambia as well as the neighboring countries”? A possible answer could be that they have nothing to offer to satisfy the religious needs of the Muslim Ummah of The Gambia and the neighboring countries. If they are certain that they are the Muslims and Ahmadis are “outside the pale of Islam”, then they should not feel an existential threat. This clearly tells us where the GSIC belongs.

Another basic point I must bring to the attention of the GSIC is that groups with superior religious ideologies (in this case I mean righteous followers of the teachings of religion) never attempted to suppress the beliefs of their opponents. They also put across their beliefs against the beliefs of their opponents and people made the choice to follow whatever belief appealed to their hearts; and whoever was on the side of truth eventually got the upper hand because truth is always very appealing to the heart. That is why Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“There shall be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress, and believes in Allah, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Allah is the Friend of those who believe: He brings them out of every kind of darkness into light. And those who disbelieve, their friends are the transgressors who bring them out of light into every kind of darkness. These are the inmates of the Fire; therein shall they abide” (Surah Al-Baqarah: Verses 257-258)

If indeed they are sure of their position of being the Muslims and Ahmadis being “outside the pale of Islam”, why not have trust in these verses?

The Holy Qur’an is such a wonderful and beautiful Book. After these above quoted verses, it gives us the narrative of a discussion between a powerful disbeliever and Prophet Ibrahim (as). The disbeliever was confounded and had nothing to say because of the powerful argument of Prophet Ibrahim (as) which was absolutely based on truth. If Ahmadis are “outside the pale of Islam”, why not GSIC also bring those powerful arguments based on truth to silence the Ahmadis instead of making efforts to suppress the propagation of their views.

The other point I wish to make is the insistence of the GSIC on always referring to a declaration by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) that declares the Ahmadis outside the pale of Islam. When will they understand this simple truth that no individual or organization has the duty to define who belongs or not to Islam. If anyone had that right, it was the Holy Prophet Muhammad Khatamun Nabiyyeen (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He clearly stated that anyone who calls himself a Muslim must be counted among the Muslims. It is indeed a great shame that the GSIC prefer the words of a group of worldly people to the words of the best of creation Muhammad Rasoolullaah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Please, let them be truthful and whenever they make reference to this declaration, they should tell the readers the people behind the declaration. A prominent one among them was Idi Amin, former President of Uganda. Do they realise that they are implying that the verdict on Islamic affairs of people like Idi Amin is superior to the verdict of Muhammad Rasoolullaah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)? Let them tell the readers that in the OIC meeting in Pakistan in 1974, it was Idi Amin who in fact bloated the idea that Ahmadis should be declared outside the pale of Islam. So Idi Amin and people like him are their role models and mentors in Islam! They definitely need psychiatric review!! What an insult to Islam!! The words of these people are better than the words of our master Muhammad Rasoolullaah (saw)? It is indeed disheartening that such a view comes from a bunch of people who consider themselves the vanguards of Islam!

May Allah protect the Gambia from religious extremism. Aameen

The Fatu Network Wednesday morning had an exclusive interview at the State House in Banjul with the President of the republic of The Gambia, Mr Adama Barrow.This rare interview focused on issues ranging from the recent security threats in the country, his relationship with Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, to the sacking of Mai Ahmad Fatty, former Interior Minister among other issues.

President Barrow also spoke for the first time about the 52 pickup trucks given to National Assembly Members. He said the vehicles were donated by some philanthropists of Gambian and non Gambian origin who supported him during the last presidential campaign and during the political impasse, but declined to disclose their names.

“Nobody asked questions about the vehicles donated during the campaign to remove the former president and also the vehicles I was using during the impasse,” President Adama Barrow said.

“I asked them to help me with pickup trucks for the NAMs because they are politicians who cannot be asking for rides or joining ‘gele geles’ (local taxi) to attend sittings at the National Assembly,” he added.

Responding to those who criticize his silence on pressing national issues especially the recent attacks at his home village of Mankamang Kunda, Brikama and Busumbala including the security lapse at the Banjul International Airport, Barrow said the incidents are regrettable.

Adding that the president cannot be speaking on every issue like it used to be during the Jammeh administration, noting that things cannot be business as usual under the new democratic dispensation. He said matters like that should be handled by people delegated with those responsibilities.

“I do realize though that certain things that happened on the part of the security should not have happened,” he interjected.

“It is a mistake on the part of the security which they need to learn from to build their capacity,” he added.

President Barrow was asked whether the sacking of Mai Ahmad Fatty, former Minister of Interior was in line with the campaign promises to repeal executive directives used by the president to sack people without giving any reason.

“The constitution empowers the president to appoint and dismiss a minister,” President Barrow told The Fatu Network.

However, he went further to say that it is not a constitutional requirement for the president to give reason (s) to the appointment and/or dismissal of a minister.

“We are looking for people who are interested in nation building and our appointments are based on that principle,” he added.

The Gambian leader was questioned about his relationship with Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Leader of the United Democratic Party UDP.

“Our relationship is normal as before, nothing has changed,” he said

Barrow added that people are entitled to their opinion but his relationship with his former party leader is still the same, saying the two of them are focused on nation building.

When asked whether he has intention to form his own political party or return to former party UDP at the end of his term, the Gambian leader said he will discuss that issue when the time is right.

President Barrow denied reports that the Barrow Youth Movement is a replica of the ‘Green boys and girls’ under the former dictator Yahya Jammeh. He said they are a group of youths who are interested in youth development.

“They came to seek my support, I promised to empower them”. He said

When asked about his relationship with Honorable Halifa Sallah, one of the brains behind the coalition that ushered him into power, the president said they are not always in contact now like it used to be in the past.

“At times, people will see things from different perspectives, like it happens in our homes not everyone will agree on everything,” he asserted.

President Barrow commended Sallah’s dedication and service to the nation, saying it is his right to accept or reject cabinet positions. He also added that the press release issued against the former coalition spokesman’s comment on system change opened up a  healthy debate.

Talking about the possibilities of extraditing the former President Yahya Jammeh from Equatorial Guinea, the president said they are gathering evidence against him and once that is done, justice will take its course.

Here is a link to the interview conducted in Mandinka by The Fatu Network’s Lamin Sanyang:

Dear Editor,

This is an urgent message which I urge you to publish in the interest of national security.

The recent security lapse at the airport should not be taken lightly as the country’s stability is on a threshold. If you can recall, there are some weapons Jammeh or his henchmen stashed away just before he left for exile.

Some of those weapons are being used in recent sprees of armed robbery occurring around the country’s border towns like Farefenni and Basse.

With all the manpower on the ground (ECOMIG and the national security personnel), there remains a major shortcoming on the side of our intelligence.

Both SIS DG and Operations Director should be replaced henceforth. This department needs to undergo serious reforms for one reason only-: The situation compared to Jammeh era is different as then the NIA was used mainly as a political weapon.

In todays Gambia we may be free but our stability is still at risk given the nature of our transition last year from a military dictatorship.

At this point in time, intelligence must be a top priority to deter threats to national security and this requires a sophisticated intelligence branch not liable to get caught in amateurish situations like the recent Airport incident.

How can the SIS have such amateur agents on the ground who don’t bother to read flight manifests or are busy socializing with fugitives instead of detaining them amid a pending clearance from the Agency or the ministry of Interior.

People with high sense of security and foresight are needed in such strategic places not agents stationed there through nepotism.

I recall the days of the Special Branch were intelligence was never compromised. The likes of the late Kebba Ceesay and Daba Marenah and one Tijan Bah who is currently the DG of NDEA really understand the way intelligence work. It is people of that calibre that The Gambia needs at the moment not some clueless unit…

A concerned Gambian

Photo Credit: Standard Newspaper

A letter addressed to the director general of the Public Utilities Regulatory Body, (PURA) signed by the President of the Supreme Islamic Council, Imam Muhammad Lamin Touray has called on the body to not issue a TV license to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

The letter came following an advertisement on local newspapers on the subject of an application for TV license by the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. It highlighted that the TV could be used as a propaganda tool to adulterate the minds of the Ummah by a movement classified by the OIC as one that is outside of the pale of Islam.

Below we produce the full letter:

Letter: Essa Bokar Sey’s Facebook page

We have a poorly funded, poorly equipped, and poorly trained police force. We have an outfit called the NIA which is distrusted by the population due to their dispicable track record during the reign of the previous government. We have an army that is battered and demoralized because it could not rescue the Gambian people from a recalcitrant government [thus the presence of an ECOMIG Force]. We have a Police Intervention Unit that, like its sister forces, is poorly funded, poorly paid and thus poorly motivated. All these [working together or not] could not even be aware of the fact that two of the most feared generals of the previous government came back to this country.

All these make it extremely strange if, out of the blue, citizens begin to hear about a new security outfit called State Intelligence Unit (SIU). Since this government took office, no one has heard of a bill in the National Assembly establishing a security unit called State Intelligence Unit. Is it a constitutional unit? If it were, certainly it should be done through the National Assembly. How can we have a security unit without it being passed through the house of representatives? It is reported that this outfit is formed from the presidency. Since when does a president have the powers to form such units arbitrarily?

The National Assembly should definitely demand an explanation for this pseudo security unit. If found to be inconsistent with the constitution [which most likely it will] it should be disbanded forthwith. This seems to  to be another example of the epic blunders your government is becoming synonymous with. Why create yet another security unit when the ones here are in the woefully inadequate state they are in? This is unacceptable and we demand an explanation immediately.

As I have said repeatedly before, the Gambia Police Force is poorly paid, poorly equipped, poorly trained and poorly motivated. Just look at the incident in Busumbala where they were expected to quell a huge chaos in their pickup trucks with no teargas, no protective gear and no armoured cars. Going to such a place in such circumstances would have been suicidal.

The people of the country have had enough of the constitutional violations. We have seen governments operate outside the law on so many occasions that we have had enough of it. It was for this very reason that we came together and expended efforts, blood, tears and sweat to ensure that we change our government and put you in office. We will not allow you or any other person to take us that road again. It is indeed disappointing for Gambians to witness the setting up of a unit outside the law, for that is what this looks like at the moment.

Instead of setting up of the State Intelligence Unit [I wonder whether it should be called State …], why can’t you fund the Police Force, give training to the Police Intervention Unit, revamp the NIA, restructure the Army and secure our borders. The security of the country is fragile at present but the solution is not in creating more units; rather, it is in strengthening the ones we have.

Have a Good Day Mr President…

Tha Scribbler Bah

A Concerned Citizen

Pa Ndure, commissioner of immigration at the Banjul International Airport, his assistant, ASP Omar Fofana, Chief Superintendent Buba Jersey, head of Police and Amadou Kinteh head of the State Intelligence Services (SIS) formerly of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have all been suspended amid investigations into Sunday’s security snafu at the airport.

One Lamin Jatta, a security officer with the Civil Aviation Authority is also said to be suspended. Like SIS’ Kinteh, Lamin was also seen on CCTV footage shaking hands with both Generals Mendy and Tamba at the airport hall upon arrival.

Meanwhile, sources say both generals Mendy and Tamba  were picked up at the airport by an unidentified man dressed in black. They are said to have traveled with new passports

Both generals spent almost eight hours with family and friends before their arrest by military police.

Information reaching The Fatu Network has confirmed that President Adama Barrow has asked to see CCTV footage on the airport security lapse that occurred early Sunday morning.

The footage was viewed Monday by investigators at the Banjul International Airport as they try to make sense of what really happened when two Jammeh aides made their way to the country via the airport without hinderance.

President Barrow is said to have met with security chiefs on Monday in his quest to find answers to the security lapse. Sources say the President is very concern over the situation and made it clear that it is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, a security expert told this medium that President Barrow will need a security analyst to go through the video with him.

Senior civil servants from permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and directors among others have all renewed their pledge to the new administration at a meeting presided over by President Adama Barrow at State House in Banjul.

President Barrow in his statement told the country’s top officials that the meeting is a unique opportunity to discuss issues of concern, outline the expectations and chart the way forward for the development of our country.

“The timing of my very first engagement with you, the senior functionaries of the public service today is not by any means impulsive,” President Barrow said.

The Gambian leader said the meeting is part of planned activities marking the first anniversary of his administration, saying the theme for this milestone is reflection and soul-searching for inclusive national development.

After one year of engagements, observations and assessment of the public service from my vantage point at the presidency, it is reasonable for one to acquire some insight and be able to share some vision on the transformative agenda, he added.

President Barrow said the realization of national development goals and objectives as enshrined in the National Development Plan depends largely on the critical role played at both technical and management levels.

“It is an open secret that the public service itself became the first victim of the brutality of the past regime,” President Barrow asserted.

He posited that the civil service has been politicized, abused and rendered irrelevant as most operational and strategic decisions were surrendered to the Office of the President for one man to make them all.

The Gambian leader said there were many transformative agendas when people went to the polls to remove the former president from power, saying the expectations were and are still very high that they cannot afford to fail.

He calls for commitment, hard work and sincerity by all especially heads of departments and institutions. He expressed his lack of interest to interfere, saying there is a huge political will to pursue the path of reform and restoration of best practices.

“My first administrative orders as President were all aimed at revamping and sanitizing the public service,” he asserted.

President Barrow spoke about the setting up of a panel to orderly reinstate the officials who were wrongfully dismissed by the previous Government. He said they have decongested the Office of the President by re-assigning institutions and line departments to the purview of the ministries where they rightfully belong. He spoke about the validation of National Development Plan 2018 – 2021 to be fully implemented.

“Change need to happen and it need to happen now,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Barrow called for steadfastness and promised to start a quarterly review in April. He called on them to work in the spirit of unity.