The Gambia: 'Disciplined Youth Folk Key to National Prosperity'

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An important question therefore for every youth and an Ahmadi youth in particular is "how do I contribute to building my country?"

File photo: 2012 Annual National Ijtema

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Daily Observer
By Alieu Ceesay | December 30, 2014

The Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Ja'amat in The Gambia, Baba F Trawally, has asserted that a disciplined, dedicated, trustworthy, sincere, and truthful youth folk is key to the prosperity of any nation.

Speaking in Mansa Konko Sunday while presiding over the closing of 31st Annual National Ijtema (Convention) of the Majlis Khudammul Ahmadiyya The Gambia, Trawally described youth folk as a vital force in the development of any nation.

Organised by the Ahmadiyya Youth Association in The Gambia, the ultimate objective of the three-day LRR convention was to bring the youth together to teach them moral values, true teaching of Islam and to make them productive citizen of the society.

Participants were drawn from across the seven regions as well as Senegal and Guinea Bissau. It was expected that at the end of the convergence, participants would have learnt to be more tolerant taking into consideration the religious challenges confronting the world today.

Speaking further, the Amir said, their movement has acknowledged the indispensable role of young people in any development endeavor, citing the motto of the Ahmadiyya Youth; 'Nations Cannot be Reformed Without the Reformation of the Youth' as a testimony of the importance they attached to them.

He added: "This embodies the noble and great responsibility that you have in nation building. An important question therefore for every youth and an Ahmadi youth in particular is "how do I contribute to building my country?

He told the youth that their first role in fulfilling the above obligation is to think of what they can do positively for their country and strive and struggle to do it.

"Do not think of what your country can do for you. If you sincerely and truthfully serve your country, you are fulfilling a religious and moral responsibility and you shall reap the rewards both in this world and the hereafter. Personal and ulterior objectives should never overshadow the commitment to the larger interest of the country.

That is why the pledge that you recite at the beginning and conclusion of each of your gatherings includes the commitment to sacrifice your life, wealth, time and honour for the sake of your country. You must live up to that commitment. Failure to do so is indeed a betrayal of a great trust," he admonished.

Amir Trawally equally urged young people to pursue knowledge wherever it is; develop skills, however mean it may seem. He said it is knowledge and skills that can make the youth an independent and productive individual in order to meaningfully contribute to nation building.

"Dependence kills the spirit of self-esteem and respect and undermines the drive to self-sufficiency. Islam does not permit a healthy and able bodied individual to depend on others for living because such behaviour destroys not only the person but the society at large. In the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, the youth are encouraged to develop the habit of working with their hands and have the dignity of labour. That is the spirit of Waqar-e-Amal.

In your various localities, provide services to the communities with a sincere heart. With the words of the Holy Qur'an, tell them we are serving you for the sake of Allah Almighty and the love of serving humanity. It is only through such selfless dedication and commitment that successful nations can be built. The Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya aims to instill in you such spirit. You are the backbone not only of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at but of the world," he concluded.

Meanwhile, the convergence also saw academic competition and sporting events, as well as a blood donation session at the Soma Health Centre.


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