Following a recent publication by this paper of the reaction of Sheikh Omar Dibba, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in The Gambia, to an earlier statement of the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) dissociating the council from claims of scholarly work in the form of translation of the Holy Qur’an in three local languages, the religious body has issued a statement underlining its dismay with Mr Dibba’s comments. The following is a reproduction of the SIC text: 

The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council received with shock and dismay the article published by the press in The Gambia.

The Council, since its formation, avoids confrontation with people like Dr. Dibba, since we belong to different religions. We share different boats. Supreme Islamic Council belongs to the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) boat while Mr Dibba belongs to the Mirza Ghulam Ahmad group, who originated from Indian sub-continent about 100 years ago. Mr Dibba quoted Suratul Kafiruna, Chapter 109 in which Allah (SWT) says: “Lakum Dinukum Wa Liya Deen,” which means, “You have your religion and I have my religion.” This was in reply to Makkans by Allah (SWT) when they invited the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to join them in the worship of their idols.

The Council therefore knows from his statements that he belongs to a religion different from Islam.