No one stops the Supreme Islamic Council from applying for a TV station. Why can’t you establish your own TV station instead of attacking the Ahmadiyas having in mind that our country is a secular state?
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Source/Credit: Freedom Newspaper
By Fatou Jagne | February 17, 2018
The so-called Supreme Islamic Council and their imams are the very ones the Inspector General of Police must invite to give them a stern warning to desist from hate and bigotry and discrimination against other sections of The Gambian population on account of their religion. The Supreme Islamic Council is violating The Gambian Constitution in multiple provisions including entrenched provisions by its constant and determined assault on the Ahmaddiya.
Hence now is the time for the police to stand up to protect the rights of the Ahmaddiya. The police cannot arrest a mere university professor for speaking his mind and offering advice to the president yet that same Police remains silent when a religious group spews hate and prejudice against a whole body of citizens. The IG cannot deny a group of citizens from occupying Westfield for poor electricity services on the basis of national security yet ignores another group that direct insults at another group of Gambians on account of their religion.
If there is any national security issue in this country it is the actions of the Supreme Islamic Council that constitutes the topmost national security issue since 19 January 2017 when Pres. Barrow took over.
The irresponsible and violent and anti-democratic stance of the so-called Supreme Islamic Council is a direct threat to the peace and stability of The Gambia. They are sowing the seeds of division and religious intolerance which is the fertile ground for extremism and violence as we see in northern Nigeria with Boko Haram or in Somalia with Alshabab.
The Inspector General must realize that they have a constitutional mandate to protect the human rights and freedoms of all Gambians. If any threats and violence are inflicted on the Ahmaddiya community then it is the IGP that is responsible.
At the same time the Minister of Justice must give advice to the Minister of Interior and the President that they must take action against the Supreme Islamic Council. The Justice Minister cannot remain silent while the police are failing to protect the rights of Gambians. The Justice minister must give legal advice to the relevant authorities that their mandate is to respect the constitution and abide by the rule of law.
Furthermore, the Office of the President must call in the Supreme Islamic Council to put it to them that they don’t own Islam. They must be told that they don’t own The Gambia either and they cannot deny or grant permission to any human being to worship anyhow! So let the Supreme Islamic Council contain and confine themselves to their own understanding and practice of Islam and let others also do as they wish.
The rights and lives of the Ahmaddiya are in the hands of Pres. Adama Barrow and Minister of Justice and the Interior Minister and the Inspector General of Police. If anything happens to the Ahmaddiya community it is these public officers who must be held responsible for their failure to execute their duties by law.
All citizens also have a constitutional duty to respect and defend the rights of the Ahmaddiya as Gambian citizens by upholding the constitution. If we fail to do so then we are also responsible for anything that befalls the Ahmaddiya. Are we going to fail our duties as a citizen or not?
For The Gambian Our Homeland
I want someone to ask Imam Fatty why is he always quote OIC and Pakistan to have declared Ahmadiya muslim jamaat outside the pale of Islam and that is why they are not Muslims…but in the past and very recently in 2016 a conference was held in CHENCHNYA attended by prominent Muslim scholars from all over the world including professors from Al Azhar University in Egypt who declared WAHABBIS and SALAFIS outside the pale of Sunni Muslim UMMA does that make the Muslims in Saudi Arabia who are Wahabbis and Salafis, a sect that you belong , to be outside the pale of Islamic umma ?Does that declaration qualify you to be a Kafir and all other Wahabbis and Salafis? I amnot to judge that but Allah knows better.
Imam was it true that you were given D3 million for Dr Zahir Naik, during his last visit to the GaMBIA, and he rejected the money and asked you to take it back to the former president Yaya Jammeh but you never returned it?
Who did you vote for last presidential elections? Be honest pls.
What’s your issue with GPU and some journalists? Seems you are in a beef.
The former president Jammeh used money to bribed you people and you never stood against him even though you know lately that his principles contradicts yours? Who spearheaded the arrest of IMAM BABA LEIGH to the point that he was half killed by the jammeh thugs. Who were the hypocrites between IMAMA BA KAWSU FOFANA and yaya jammeh, until jammeh was insulting Imam Fofana? Was it not you the said ISLAMIC COUNCIL behind all these ugly sins.
Who stood at the national T.V and said JAMMEH NEVER KILLED THE 9 MILE TWOinmates but was the law and themselves. Imam ALLAH WILL JUDGE EAH and every one of you his deeds one day.
You always pray for the former president Yaya JAMMEH for him to remain in power for a long time, did you not, were you not made MUNAFIKINNS before the national T.V when Jammeh pour his SHIRQ water and you scrambled to put your hands under it calling the water a HOLY water, MASIRU DINN.
You and the Supreme Islamic Council said the Ahmadiyas must not be given permit to have a T.V station in the Gambia. However, Section 25 of our constitution and article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights give the right and freedom to all to exercise the religion of their choice. Don’t you think you position and that of the Council is undermining the rights and freedoms of your fellow citizens?
What is your reaction to the Ahmadiya Jammaa’s application for TV station in The Gambia. ‘’Kulya ayuha al kafiruun’’ is a Coranic ‘suura’ and it is said in there: I won’t believe in what you do and you won’t believe in what I do. So, believe in what you believe in and I believe in what I do. What do you have to say to that?
Isn’t it true that God said He perfected and guaranteed his religion and that everyone has a freedom of choice?
No one stop the Supreme Islamic Council from applying for a TV station. Why can’t you establish your own TV station instead of attacking the Ahmadiyas having in mind that our country is a secular state?
We have seen violent clashes between different religious groups in countries like Nigeria, Sudan, Central Africa Republic, Egypt, Babgladesh etc. Don’t you think that inter-religious verbal attacks in the Gambia could lead to civil war.?
You and the Islamic council were with Yaya Jammeh at a time when he and his gang committed gross human right violations against defenceless citizens: torture, murder, forceful disappearances etc. Neither did you confront him nor did you abandon him. Why?
The Ahmadiyas have built hospitals and schools attended by your own sons, daughters, grand children and etc, and there are Gambians working there and benefiting from their services. However, you and the Islamic council are limited to only preaching. Knowing that without good health and good economic condition, the correct practice of religion is not possible. Don’t you think that you must renovate the Islamic studies system so that some Arabic students can be employed into other sectors instead of all dedicating to preaching and teaching? All of our countries Arabic students can’t be teachers and preachers. In Arab countries there are Arabic students who are engineers, farmers, mechanics, plumbers etc Can’t we have the same in the Gambia?
I understand you travelled to many countries, among them European countries. There are many Gambians, African and Asian muslims in Europe. Some of you are saying Ahmadiya and their religion is new and so a threat to our Islamic religion and that they must not be allowed to operate, and that people must not have dealings with them. What if the Europeans and other supposedly non-Muslim countries do the same to our brothers and other Muslims in their countries? American president has insulted the whole muslim sects , but you never responded to him because you want to take your wife to U.S.A to deliver ther and have the U.S.A passport, so ifyou attack him you will be blacklisted and you will be denied U.S.A clearance visa, ‘’ BALTUSIRUNAL HAYATA DUNYAA’’
What do think should the new government, religious leaders and civil society do in the new Gambia to avoid mistakes of the past, unite the country, and ensure justice to the victims?
There is continued misunderstanding between conventional ‘majilisi’ religious groups and actual ‘madarasa’ groups on several issues like the recitation of ‘fatiya’ after prayers, recitation of Coran for the deceased, jujus and marabout issues. Why that misunderstandings and what can be done to solve it?
What do you have to say to families of Jammeh’s victims? And have you in any way regretted working with Jammeh and publically supporting him at the state house mosque minerate when crimes were committed of which you can’t be unaware of like the student massacre, murder of journalists, arrests of Imams , political thugs.etc. No wonder you have started threatening the new president ADAMA BARROW that you will end his presidency whenever he prays in AHMADIYYA MOSQUE. I THINK the security should even arrest you for merely saying that, having known that you are not a Gambian and that threatening the country’s national president is a big course for national concern.
Imam fatty You have been lying from many years and you don’t know nothing about ahmadis let me tell you believe in the Quran and we believe in the Sunnah of the Prophet more than you please fatty stop lying I challenge you of all what you said about Ahamadiyya all is lies I pray that God to forgive you to see the truth and the light and mayGod Almighty guide and protect Gambia save us from the fitnah of you imam fatty
Let me tell you who is who is prophet Mohammed may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him…Born in d year of d Elephant even as a child he was special it was evident Birth of the prophet mentioned in d old Testament Deuteronomy 18:18 that’s it reference perfectly proportioned the most handsome most elegant impeccable character d most humble an intelligent compassionate considerate in speech he was most eloquent even before he was a prophet he was a man of great eminence he’s ranked number one in Michael Hearts must influential please refer to the books of hadith if u need to check his credentials his message is worshipping Allah alone is essential an d Holy Quran an his teachings make up all our fundamentals and the day of judgement we rely on Allah’s mercy and his intercession. His words pearls of wisdom teaching us valuable lessons Liberator of women’s rights he was against all oppression his face was more radiant than d full moon and his sweat smelt better then the most expensive perfume the light that shone bright like d sun shines at noon follow his example if u want to be ‘Al muttaqun’ the pious he came to an illiterate nation at the time of desperation he was a real revolutionary who ruled by revelation seal of d prophets we wish him peace an salutation testify he’s d Messenger of Allah before our daily congregation when d Arabs worshipped fire an idols he took them out of jahiliyya (ignorance those were d real dark ages until people started to see clear he faced so many hardships but still he’d persevere an his Dawah is the reason why am writing this message to you Abdoulie fatty
Even his enemies knew him as As sadiq Al Amin (the truthful an trustworthy one ) they tried to assassinate him character when he spread d message of Tawhecd (Islamic monotheism) he tried to invite everybody to sura Al mustaqim (straight path) but most rejected his message and didn’t take heed every step he’d take was for Allah the Almighty and his Deen (religion)Allah split the moon for d Quraish yet they still didn’t believe in fact they tortured d believes what a horrid sight it must’ve been but imagine d status in jannah of d earliest shaheed martyr they called him a liar a soothsayer a madman and a magician they couldn’t swallow their pride and let go of their traditions offered him power wealth an women to stop spreading d religion but he said even if you offer me d sun and the moon I won’t accept your proposition they threw animal intestines on d prophet while he was in procreation even stepped on d blessed neck of d best of all creation to his Lord in supplication inna Allah Ma As Sabirecn verily Allah is with the patient (Quran 2:153)
He was boycotted insulted treated like an outcast but through d pain an d struggle he’d a mercy to mankind it even says in the Qur’an Surat Al Anbiya verse 107
He even lead d Anbiya (prophets)in salah before he ascended above the heavens when he want to preach in Ta’if they pelted him with stones he had blood soaked shoes and he was bruised to the bone jibreel (Gabriel)(peace be upon him) descended an said Give me d command”I’ll get d Angel of the mountains to destroy all their homes”but Allah’s merciful messenger said” No! And let them be for the land May one day be home to people who believe
Even through d slander an d rumours spread by the people of Quraish the Ansar came to know about d prophets message an him demeanour they accepted Islam and vowed to keep d prophet safe so d Messenger of Allah had migrated to madinah at that time it was known as the city of yathrib he ended their feuds an led d people with justice d land of the dates became d most blessed place become an even bigger problem for d people of Quraish because their caravans to shaam were no longer safe d believes had a home Islam had a base he was content in every situation as it is all Allah’s Qadr he even had d help of d Angeles at the battle of Badr he taught us to love for ourselves what we love for one another and he even referred to you and me as his brothers I envy d sand that met his blessed fact it’s hard to comprehend how a man could be so humble he’s the perfect example for the likes for you and me he even forgave d people that mutilated his uncle the sahaba became human shields for the prophet when he would make wudu (ritual purification) they would make sure they catch every single droplet of water that world flow off his blessed body their actions proved that they loved him more than anybody Islam spread from madinah Muslims Multiplied in numbered an when d prophet returned to Makkah he could have taken his revenge on the people who use to oppose an torment he could have captured every one and enslaved them he was in a position of power surrounded by thousands of brave men but what he did next lift the people in amazement Rahmatul Lil Alameen (mercy to the worlds) he turned around an forgave them d best leader, the best father the best husband the best person imagine how it must have felt to witness the last sermon imagine u were there an u had to lend an attentive ear an u had to hear that the messenger of Allah May not be with you the next year indeed the greatest calamity is when he departed this ‘Dunya’ we show our love for the beloved by following his sunnah insallah on the day of judgement we get to drink from his blessed hand May Allah reunite us with him in jannah and save us from the fire of jahannam we love him more than our own selves so Abdoulie fatty please stop lying about Ahmadis Muslims Jamaat may God guide and protect Gambia from your fitnah Amen suma Amen.
n the issue of The Standard Newspaper of Friday, 31 October, 2014, the Imam of the State House Mosque in Banjul, Alhaji Abdoulie Fatty launched an attack on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at and has once again made various unfounded allegations. As members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, we are going to set the record straight by exposing the unfounded allegations of this Imam.
The Imam started by saying that the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at are not Muslims without giving any justifications. This declaration is against the sayings of Allah, the Almighty. In the Holy Quran Allah, the Almighty says:
(O ye who believe!) … Say not to anyone who greets you with the greeting of peace (i.e. says Assalaamu Alaikum, like other Muslims) that, “you are not a believer.” (Ch, 4:95)
Imam Abdoulie Fatty has therefore gone against a direct commandment of Allah, the Almighty and indeed contravened the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who once ordered a census of Muslims in Madinah and directed that:
Write down for me the name of everyone who calls himself a Muslim. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Bab Kitabat al-Imam al-Nas.)
Now, it is clear that the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at call themselves Muslims. This is clear indication that the definition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is completely different from that of Abdoulie Fatty. We, the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at will always take the definition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) over Alhajie Abdoulie Fatty or any other human being.
The Imam also said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, “came here at the time of Farimang Singhateh although people claim that he accepted them due to ignorance about them.” Well, we are telling Imam Abdoulie Fatty that he does not know the History of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in this country. First, it should be made known that Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at came to this country before Sir Farimang Singhateh became Governor General.
It was on August 22, 1955, that Late Lamin Mbarra Njie of 11 Rankin Street in Bathurst (now Banjul), Late Ebrima Oliver of Primet Street and their compatriots wrote a letter to the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Nigeria requesting him to visit The Gambia. These young men and some elders like Ousman Njie Gorrmak of Allen Street had the love of Islam in their hearts and wanted to learn more about their religion. As the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at had translated the Holy Quran and other Islamic literature in the English Language, they thought it fit to invite the Jama’at here so as to learn their religion better. For this reason, Alhajie Hamza Sanyaolo, a Nigerian Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, came to the Gambia in 1959. He worked extremely hard in the colony to establish the Jama’at along with his brave and dedicated hosts. He returned to Nigeria in 1960 having completed his tour of duty. After him in 1960 came Ustaz Gibril Saeed who was a Ghanaian Missionary of the Jama’at. He was also hosted by Late Lamin Mbarra Njie. He left in 1961. The first Pakistani Ahmadiyya Missionary to arrive in The Gambia was Chaudhry Muhammad Sharif who arrived on March 10, 1961. He stayed here preaching and teaching Islam until January 23, 1964. Alhajie Sir Muhammad Farimang Singhateh accepted and signed the Bai’at at the hands of the Gambian pioneer missionary, Alhajie Ibrahima Jikineh in 1963 and became a sincere and devoted member of the Jama’at more than three years before he became Governor on July 5, 1966. We see therefore that Imam Abdoulie Fatty’s statement that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at was brought here by the Pakistanis at the time of Farimang Singhateh is unfounded. It was the youth of The Gambia, Bathurst in particular who wrote and requested the Jama’at to send representatives here and it was before Sir Farimang Singhateh became Governor General.
When The Gambia gained independence on 18 February, 1965, it was the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, The Gambia, Maulana Ghulam Ahmad Badomali who presented a copy of the Holy Quran to be used for the swearing-in ceremony.On this auspicious occasion the Amir Sahib of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’atled prayers (Dua).
He prayed for the peace, tranquility, and prosperity of the country and also prayed for the Muslim Ummah and the entire people of this country. We ask, Imam Abdoulie Fatty, where were you then? In fact, you will not know these facts because you were not here then. No one seems to know where you are from. The way you preach is actually not Gambian; no wonder some people are saying that you are not a Gambian. The truth is before your coming here, there was complete religious harmony in this country. Muslims and Christians were living together in peaceful co-existence. So, we are tempted to ask whether you are a Gambian or not. If you are a Gambian what is your ancestry? Which village do you come from and who are your relatives?
Your preaching style has nothing to do with The Gambia and in fact, it is reminiscent of those preachers in other countries whose aim is to high jack the executive power and cause civil strife. If the government and people of this country had not been sensible to discern your true intent, there might have been a civil strife here due to your fiery way of preaching. Fortunately for the people of this country, the government is sensible enough not to be swayed by self-serving and power hungry clerics.
Another unfounded and unwarranted statement Imam Abdoulie Fatty made is that the Gambian people should not be deceived by the fact that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at says that, “there is no Supreme Being but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.” This presupposes that whereas we are saying this, we actually don’t believe in it. Here Imam Abdoulie Fatty is taking himself to the rank of God (God forbid) for he is claiming to know what is in the heart of other men. Even the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) forbade this.
Hadhrat Usama bin Zaid(RA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) sent us to the Oasis of Juhaina tribe. We caught them early in the morning at their water-fountains. An Ansari and I chased one of them and apprehended him. When we overpowered him, he exclaimed LaaIlaahaIllallah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah) which caused my Ansari companion to restrain his hand from him, but I pierced him with a spear and killed him. When we returned to Madina and the Holy Prophet (SAW) came to know of the incident, he asked: “O, Usama! Did you kill him in spite of the fact that he had recited LaaIlaahaIllallah?” I replied: “O, Prophet of Allah! He was saying (these words) merely to ensure his safety.” The Holy Prophet (SAW) kept on repeating his question to a point when I wished I had not become a Muslim before that day. (Another tradition relates) The Holy Prophet (SAW) said, “You still killed him, even though he had affirmed LaaIlaahaIllallah? “I clarified, “O, Prophet of Allah! He had said that because he was afraid of the weapon.” The Holy Prophet (SAW) exclaimed: “Why didn’t you cut his heart open to make sure if he had said it from the core of his heart?” The Prophet of Allah repeated this remark so many times that I wished I had not become a Muslim before that day.”(Bukhari, book of Al Maghaazi, chapter Ba’ah al-Nabi,Usamah bin ZaidilalHarquat Min al Juhaina, p. 612)
In another narration, the Holy prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:“What would you do with ‘LaailaahaillaAllah’ when it would come before you on the Day of Judgment and the Holy Prophet kept repeating these words.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ul-Iman)
This clearly shows that it is not for a man to decide what is in the heart of another man or men. Where does Alhajie Abdoulie Fatty get the authority to decide on what is in our hearts?
Imam Abdoulie Fatty also mentioned Abdullah Bin Ubbaybin Salul (the chief of hypocrites in Madinah) in relation to the claims of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. But the truth is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has given us a comprehensive definition of a hypocrite. He says:
“Whoever has the following four characteristics is a real hypocrite, and whoever has one of these characteristics has an element of hypocrisy until he leaves that habit: when he speaks, he tells a lie; when he is entrusted with anything he betrays, when he makes a promise; he breaks it and when he argues, he starts using foul language.” (Sahih Muslim)
Alhajie Abdoulie Fatty has also stated that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at does not believe in the finality of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Again, this statement is unfounded. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at believes completely in the fact that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the Khatamun Nabiyyeen and the Last Law-bearing Prophet to be raised by Allah, the Almighty. The truth is that it is Allah, the Almighty and His Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who prophesied that the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (AS) will appear for the reformation of the Muslim Ummah. The Holy Quran says:
It is he Who has raised among the unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves who recites unto them His Signs, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and Wisdom though before that they were in manifest error, And He will raise him among others of them who have not yet joined them. He is the Mighty, the Wise. (CH. 62:3-4)
In these verses of the Holy Quran, a second advent of the Holy Prophet in the person of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi has been foretold. This is the interpretation of the Prophet himself. Abu Hurairah relates: “One day we were sitting with the Holy Prophet (SAW) when Surah Jumu’ah was revealed. I enquired from the Holy prophet, ‘who are the people to whom the words, ‘and among others of them who have not yet joined them,’ refer. Salman, the Persian, was sitting among us. Upon my repeatedly asking him the same question, the Holy Prophet put his hand on Salman and said, ‘If Faith were to go up to the Pleiades, a man from these would, surely, find it.’” (Bukhari, KitabutTafsir)
So this is the interpretation given to these verses by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself and there is no scholar who can be compared to him in terms of knowledge, religious or otherwise. In many other Ahadith, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has given us the glad tidings of the coming of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi. The early Muslim scholars also spoke about the advent of the Imam Mahdi and even our forefathers in this country spoke constantly about this great event. Among the Ahadith we want to present here is one that has a sign that cannot be forged by any mortal. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says:
‘For our Mahdi there are two signs which have never taken place ever since the Earth and the Heavens came into existence. One is that in the same month of Ramadan the moon shall be eclipsed on the first of its nights (of eclipse 13th 14th and 15th) and the sun in the middle of its days; and such a sign has never occurred ever since the creation of the Earth and the Heavens.’ (Dar-al-Qutni, Vol. 8, p. 188).
This tradition is also found in Ikmal-al-Din, p. 361.
Now, this mighty sign should not leave any one in doubt about the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) or the righteousness of the claim of Syedina Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS). For, after laying claim to being the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, he also revealed beforehand that the sign prophesied by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) will be fulfilled in his testimony. As such, on Thursday, 13th Ramadan 1311H corresponding to 21st March, 1894 of the Christian erafrom (7:00PM to 9:30PM Calcutta time), the moon was eclipsed and the sun eclipsed on Friday, 28th of the same month of Ramadan 1311H corresponding to 6th April, 1894 from 0900AM to 1100AM. What further proof does one require to accept this prophesy of Rasulullah (SAW)? The same awe-inspiring incident occurred in 1895 in the Western Hemisphere. This can also be verified in the Encyclopedia Britannica (15th Edition, Vol.7 p. 697 and other references such as The Story of Eclipses, George F. Chambers, F.R.A.S,Published in 1902 on page 32). It was so widespread that it could be viewed even here in this region. As such, the occurrence is known as FodayKabaLoolo (the star of FodayKaba) in Mandinka and in Wolof it was known as Atam Juma Njatiin Senegal.
In short, the coming of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (AS) is not the invention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at but the promise of Allah, the Almighty and His Noble Messenger (SAW). In another instance the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: Faizaara’aitumuuhufabaayi’oohuwa law habwanalshalji (If you come across the Imam Mahdi take allegiance at his hand even if you have to crawl on ice). Ref
On the issue of Ahmadis not praying behind others, again Imam Abdoulie Fatty has got his facts wrong. We are simply following the directives of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who is our Master and Guide. For it is he who told us:
KaifaantumizaanazalafiikumibnuMariyamawaimaamukumminkum (How would it be with you when the son of Mary descends among you and you will have an Imam raised among you? (In another version he will lead you from among you) (SahihulBukhari, Kitabul-Anbiya, chap. Nuzul Isa bin Maryam).
As we believe that the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (AS) are one and the same (based on another Hadith which says Laa Mahdi Illa Isa (there is no Mahdi except IsaIbni Maajah) we understand that the Holy Prophet means that the Imam will be from among us. But to be frank, apart from this, who will pray behind an Imam who is constantly castigating people and has not spared anybody in his vitriolic pronouncements? For the truth is, there is hardly any religious group in this country that has not been attacked by Imam Abdoulie Fatty! An Imam who even insults while delivering a Friday sermon?
Another unfounded statement made by Alhajie Abdoulie Fatty is that the Gambian Ahmadis have been deceived by the Pakistanis and have left the religion they found their forefathers on. This is not new. The disbelievers of Makkah made similar statements to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
In Surah Ma’idah Allah the Glorious says:
“…Sufficient for us is that wherein we found our fathers.” (Ch. 5:105)
Again in Surah Al- Zukhruf we read: “…we found our fathers following a certain course, and we are following in their footsteps.” (Ch. 43:24)
Yet again we find this issue mentioned in Surah Luqman where Allah says: “And when it is said to them, ‘follow that which Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers following…’” (Ch. 31:22)
It is clear from the foregoing verses that the argument of Imam Abdoulie Fatty is flawed. In fact, if we were only to follow what we found our fathers on, we will not be Muslims, for; the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself did not find his father in Islam. He founded the religion and what better example can we seek other than that of Muhammad, the Best of Creation and the Seal of the Prophets (SAW)?
So, here again, we ask Abdoulie Fatty, are you following the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) or the example of the Makkan disbelievers?
Imam Abdoulie Fatty also says that the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at are pests who want to destroy the products of (their) farm- Islam. It seems Imam Abdoulie Fatty thinks that he and those in his ilk own Islam and no other person can lay claim to it. We want to tell Imam Abdoulie Fatty that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at has been protecting the sanctity of Islam even before he was born. It was the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at that first translated the Holy Quran, the Word of Allah, the Almighty in the English Language for the general use and benefit of those who do not know the Arabic Language in which it was revealed. At that time, apart from the translations of non-Muslims, there existed no translation of the Holy Book. In The Gambia here, we translated the Holy Quran in Mandinka, Wolof and Fula. The people found the translations very useful for they learnt their religion firsthand and did not have to rely on someone else in order to understand what Allah has said. Among the services, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at introduced here was the delivering of the Friday sermon in local languages. Before the coming of Ahmadiyyat in this country, Friday and Eid sermons used to be delivered in Arabic and thus people will not understand. Among the services rendered by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at was the production of Islamic Literature which was and is still being appreciated by the ordinary man in the street. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at presented the Muslim Prayer Book and the Yasarnal Quran which have both become household names in this country. In May, 1970, the then Worldwide Spiritual Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at,HadhratHafiz MirzaNasir Ahmad, KhalifatulMasih III (RH) came to The Gambia and while here saw in a vision that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at should help third world countries in areas of Education and Health. For that reason, he launched a scheme known as the Nusrat Jehan Scheme which built schools, clinics and hospitals all over the country and in other countries at a time that it was needed. This is done in order to complement the efforts of the government of the country because we believe that a government cannot do it all and the citizens of a country have a duty to contribute to the development of their country. And despite Imam Abdoulie Fatty’s persistent calls for people to boycott our schools and hospitals, students are still attending our schools. The choice of school is for a student and his or her parents to make and is not the business of any cleric to tell students which school to attend and which one not to attend. In a Hadith, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that if good Muslim life somewhere, even the animals should know that a Muslim is living here because of his beneficence and service to humanity. That is why the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at builds schools and hospitals for the benefit of the people of this country. We ask Imam Abdoulie Fatty, what do you do to benefit the people of this country; of course, apart from using the pulpit of the State House Mosque and other forums to insult groups and individuals? This was not the way of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Another issue raised by Imam Abdoulie Fatty is that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that Islam will be divided into seventy-three sects and all of them will go to hell except one. Is it Imam Abdoulie Fatty’s reasoning that the seventy two sects are one and that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is the one going to hell? That does not agree with the wording of our Master, MuhammadMustapha (SAW) for the Hadith says that it will be the people who will be on the path on which he (Muhammad) and his companions were. We know of no other Jama’at defending Islam all over the world under the leadership of one Khalifah apart from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. In fact, what sect are you? Because you must belong to a sect according to this Hadith. The people who are being persecuted by the rest of society like the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was persecuted are the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. Indeed, Imam Abdoulie Fatty is advocating the banning of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in The Gambia just as Abu Jahl and others sought to ban the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions. Imam Abdoulie Fatty’s method of preaching is indeed similar to the ways of Abu Jahl and his cohorts in Makkah.
Imam Abdoulie Fatty is calling Islam his farm from which he benefits. We on the other hand do not believe that we should live off of Islam rather we should make Islam survive. That is why; every member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at contributes his or her quota to the propagation and development of Islam all over the world. Ahmadis pay in addition to Zaka’at, a minimum of one-sixteenth and a maximum of one-third of their income to the Jama’at under a Bait-ul-Mal (Treasury) system so as to propagate Islam. We use such monies from the Bait-ul-Mal to publish the Holy Quran and other books on Islamic Literature, build mosques for the worship of Allah, and build schools and hospitals for the benefit of society and so many other services rendered by the Jama’at in accordance with Islamic teachings. Some of the financial schemes of the Jama’at include Chanda Am, Waaiyat, Tahrik-e-Jadid, WaqfiJadide.t.c. When the Muslim rule ended in Andalusia (present-day Spain) it was the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at that built the first mosque there in Cordoba after a period of seven hundred years. It was also the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at who built the first ever mosque in London, United Kingdom in 1924.
We ask Imam Abdoulie Fatty, what have you done in defence of Islam and do you think any Gambia will entrust his or her money to you? We doubt it. The truth is, we don’t beg around, we do not depend on governments for the services we render nor do we depend on any organization in the world. Each Ahmadi sees it as a duty to contribute his or her quota so as to propagate Islam and develop our country. When members make payment, they are issued receipts and the accounts are properly recorded. These accounts are so transparent that they are audited twice a year. This is in line with the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions as they used to spend their wealth in the service of Islam.
One of the ridiculous statements Imam Abdoulie Fatty made was that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at spreads fitna(disorder) in the world. Nothing could be further from the truth! The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is established in two hundred and six countries in the world and not a single instance can be cited here or abroad that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at brought fitna anywhere. The Jama’at is known for being law-abiding and being responsible citizens in all parts of the world. He cited the case of MamutFana village to show that the Jama’at is bringing fitna but the truth is; he and his cohorts are the ones bringing fitna. The people of MamutFanaVillage were genuinely convinced of the truth of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at and wanted to be members of the Jama’at. When AbdoulieFatty and his colleagues heard this news, they were enraged and went there on Monday, July 13 2014 in a government vehicle(Registration Number GG 1366) during the Holy Month of Ramadan to tell the people to leave the Jama’at and even threatened them. But the people refused and said even if you are to gun us down we believe that the Imam Mahdi has come and Ahmadis are true Muslims. In 1997 you called for Ahmadis to be taken to July 22 Squire to be slaughtered. We wonder whether a true Gambian will make such a statement. Now, who is the one bringing fitna?
The issue of Imam Abdoulie Fatty being an agitator of fitna in this country is not a secret to anyone. Prior to the coming of Imam Abdoulie Fatty, there was peace and harmony in this country. You came and brought your un-Gambian style of preaching and poisoned the atmosphere and now there is a lot of religious intolerance in The Gambia. We were all here when you raised the issue of the veil at St. Therese’s School in Kanifing and theFriday Sermon you delivered after that incident. You raise issues which have the potential to bring civil disorder in the country. Is there any religious group or organization that you have not vilified in this country? The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said in a Hadith that a true Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand others are safe. Is anyone safe from your tongue and hand?
There is no record anywhere in police, in courts, ministries, departments or office showing that Ahmadyya Muslim Jama’at has been involved in disorder, violence or subversive activities. We are always found to be loyal and law-abiding citizens.
In fact, the fact of you being the one who raises the head of fitnais so palpable that even the ordinary man in the street is not unaware of it. Also, you are fond of making unfounded allegations against people in this country. In 1997you said that when one prays in the AhmadiyyaMuslim Jama’at’sMosque one is paid an amount of twenty-five dalasi. This is completely untrue and you both knew it and willfully wanted to mislead the people or your hatred against the Jama’at is so intense that you can fabricate statements just to discredit them. The Holy Quran says:
‘O ye who believe! Be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is aware of what you do.’ (Ch. 5:9)
If it is your hatred against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at that is making you make up these unfounded allegations against the Jama’at, then at least fear Allah and refrain from acting unjustly. On Saturday, 28 April, 2001 you made a similar allegation at a Gamo at Essau Jammeh Kunda that Ahmadis pay twenty-five dalasi to anyone who prays in their mosque and a lady stood up to say that that was not true because she prays there and has never been paid for it. She was whisked away from the crowd because the people did not want to upset you. At least justice should have compelled you to issue proofs in light of the fact that an ordinary woman had the courage to deny what you said in public! With your influence and ‘learning’, it must have taken the lady a lot of courage to contradict, ‘the scholar’ in public like that. This shows that even the ordinary people know of your fertile imagination!
It is recorded in the history of Islam that once a Christian delegation from Najran came to Madinah to discuss with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about religion. The meeting took place in Masjid Nabawi. When it was time for them to offer their prayers they prepared to go out and pray whereupon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told them that they could pray there because it was not his house but the House of God! What an excellent example from the Acme of Creation and the Best of Messengers! Do we now have the heart to let a Christian pray in our Mosques? The truth is Muslims are killing other Muslims while they are praying in their Mosques. Who would dare invite a Christian to pray in a Mosque where Abdoulie Fatty is Imam?
It is unfortunate that you the Imam are using state apparatus, facilities, platform, media, and Private FM Station(s) to slander, castigate, and make false statements and insult individuals and groups. If somebody is to be banned in this country it should be you. You are undermining the peace and stability of this country through your behaviour and actions.And it is strange because sometimes you speak as if you are the president of this country.
The Islam of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is dearer to us than our lives, properties and all worldly objects. We the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at will always defend with our lives the honour and dignity of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) whose Prophethood has reached the highest pinnacles of spirituality, the Seal of the Prophets, our Master and Guide and the Holy Quran, the complete and perfect and final book from Allah, the Almighty through peaceful means. Islam is our religion we will continue to live as Muslims and die as Muslims. We will never weaver in our faith.
May Allah, the Almighty enable us to propagate the true teachings of Islam and enable us to follow the true Sunnah (practice) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and may He assist us to serve humanity at large and shower His Grace and Mercy upon our dear and beloved country and maintain the existing peace, stability and tranquility in the country. Ameen!
By Fatou Jagne
Morro Ceesay and
Ustas ibrahima Drammeh
Copied from Standard GM.
© Copyright The Point Newspaper. All rights reserved.
Copied from Standard GM.
© Copyright The Point Newspaper. All rights reserved.
As the Gambia gears up to celebrate its golden jubilee of independence, rather than realizing advancement in our social cohesion as a nation, we seem to be retrogressing in several aspects.
For instance, just last week, we saw a derogatory statement issued by the Supreme Islamic Council, declaring the Ahmadiya Muslim Jammat as non-Muslims.
It is indeed quite hard for any reasonable being to comprehend what prompted the Council to issue such a divisive statement, 50 years after the Gambia became an independent nation and more than 70 years since the Ahmadis were established in the country. Who gave this unrepresentative clique of talibes the authority to determine who is a Muslim or even to act as guardians of religious purity in the country?
The Gambia is a secular state and as such, the Constitution guarantees everyone the freedom to practice their religion the way they feel or even not to belong to any religious persuasion, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of other citizens. It is clearly stipulated in Section 25 of the Constitution that “Every person shall have the right (b) Freedom of thought, conscience and belief, which shall include academic freedom; (c) Freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice;…..”
Therefore, this decision by the Supreme Islamic Council is not only retrogressive but it is also a threat to national cohesion. We all know that the Council is not only a creation of the state, but it also tends to reflect the views of the authorities. Therefore, it is very likely that the authorities are either complicit in the decision or they are ignoring its possible repercussions. However, as guardians of the secularity of the state and welfare of all Gambians and non-Gambians living in our midst, it is the duty of the state to prevent such irresponsible statements that have the potential to create friction within the society, especially by a body created and natured by the state. Obviously, allowing such an unrepresentative group like the Supreme Islamic Council to make such derogatory remarks against the Ahmadis does not augur well for maintenance of peace and national cohesion.
It is quite a well-known fact that the Ahmadiya Muslim Jammat had contributed and continues to contribute quite significantly to the wellbeing of Gambians in various areas; including education and health. They have several educational facilities in the country as wealthy as health facilities which are giving invaluable service to Gambians of all religious persuasions.
However, one would wonder what the so-called “true” Muslims, who have been in this country since time immemorial, have been contributing to the social advancement of lives of ordinary Gambians, apart from merely organising numerous social events in which these talibes collect as much money as they can from their poor congregations. There is, therefore, no doubt that if the people were given the opportunity to choose between the two groups, they would no doubt tend to choose the Ahmadis for being much more beneficial to their daily needs.
Read original post here: Perspective: The Gambia's Inspector General of Police Must Protect the Rights of the Ahmaddiya | Fatou Jagne
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