The Majlis Lajna Imaillah (women organisation) and the Maijis Ansarullah of The Gambia recently concluded their second annual National Ijtema (gatherings) at Baitus Salam Mosque, Tallinding.

The gathering which started from Saturday 2nd February to Saturday 10th February, took the form of lectures, speeches, and academic competitions on various topics.

Addressing the gathering on Saturday 3rd February, 2007, Ndey Corr Bah, President of the women organisation reiterated the fundamental role of women in the teaching and propagation of Islam. She maintained that women must endeavour to inculcate good moral values into their children, particularly their female children, describing them as the immediate and primary teachers of their children. She also urged them to nurture sound moral values into their children, who are the future leaders of the country.

Fatoumatta S.O. Dibba, who spoke on the subject; ‘the Promised Messiah’s love for the Holy Prophet (SAW)’, said the advent and mission of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad the Promised Messiah (as), was foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (SAW) on many occasions and in different contexts, describing it as natural that the Promised Messiah held the Holy Prophet (SAW) in high esteem.

Speaking on the subject of the importance of Salat (Prayer), Mariama Joof stated that prayer is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam and obligatory upon every Muslim, either male or female. She described prayer as an act of worship to be performed daily by a believer, most preferably in a congregation. “Salat helps us clean our soul from human weakness, leads us close to our lord and master, and eventually get rid of all human propensities to evil,’ she said.

Seiney Nyabally who spoke on the topic ‘what is Ahmadiyyat? Said Ahmadiyyat is one of the sects within the fold of Islam, meant to revive its true spirit and philosophy. She gave a brief history of the movement since its inception in 1889 in Qadian, a small village in Punjab, India.

Ustaz Syed Saeed-ul Hassan Shah, missionary-in-charge underscored the importance of hijab. He said the purpose for which the Jama’at was established, is to gain the pleasure of Allah, the Almighty, by doing righteous deeds.

According to him, hijab safeguards chastity of the women. He then maintained that the respect for women lies in the covering of their bodies as prescribed by Islam and not in exposing themselves or wearing immodest dress.

Maulana Baba F. Trawally, Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’ at in The Gambia, in his closing address, explained that Islam categorically declares that women and men are equal but their roles are different due to the difference in their biological constitution.

He said in Islam, women are the foundations of every good moral and righteous society, through whom paradise on earth can be created at home and in the society as a whole. He noted that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said that Paradise lies under the feet of the mothers noring that taking care of the home and the righteous upbringing of children is a fundamental responsibility of women and can only be carried out, if women possesed the highest standards of love and fear of Allah Almighty.

Similarly, Fafanding E.K. Darbo,Vice President of Ansarullah addressing the Ansarullah Itema (gathering of men of age above 40) on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th February, 2007, urged all Ahmadis, particularly the Ansars (Elders), to follow the foot steps of the Holy Prophet (saw).

Ustaz Syed Saeed-ul Hassan Shah, missionary-in-charge, explained how the current devastation of Muslims can be blamed on their rejection of Khilafat as a unifying factor of all nations under one umbrella.