The Federation of Gambia Muslim Students’ Organisation (FEGAMSO) last Saturday held its annual inter-school Qur’aanic Recitation and Speech competition at Abuko Upper Basic School.

Welcoming the participants, Nfamara Jawneh, Public Relations Officer of FEGAMSO gave a brief history of the organisation. According to him, FEGAMSO is the umbrella body tasked with the responsibility of co-ordinating the affairs and activities of all school based Islamic clubs and societies in the country. The organisation was founded in 1995, with the sole aim of propagating Islam among Muslim students in the country. Jawneh revealed that their activities include inter school competition, Iftar(fast breaking) youth camps, Da’wa conferences and seminars among other things. “Today’s event is the second biggest event in the calendar of FEGAMSO aftertime congress” he said. He went on to explain that the competition is aimed at instilling in Muslim students the habit of reading the Holy Qur’aan in the proper manner. The event will enable the organisation to spot competent students who would represent them at the International Qur’aanic Recitation competitions. Couple to that, the speech/Oratory competition will refine the Da’wa skills of the respective participants and broaden their knowledge in the “Deen”.

Sheikh Ebrahim Hassan Cham, a founding member of the organisation, encouraged Muslim youths to be more proactive in their region. He advised them to seek more knowledge in order for them to worship Allah in the proper manner.

The event, held at Abuko Upper Basic school, was chaired by Abdou Jeng, former Secretary General of FEGAMSO.

Certificates were awarded to all participating schools/institutions. Handsome prizes were also given to the best five in all categories namely Upper Basic, Senior School, Tertiary,and Islamic Oriented schools.

Speaking at the closing, brother Mustapha Barry, President of FEGAMSO, thanked Allah and all those who contributed to the success of the event. “One thing is clear, that there is no loser in this competition that is every one is a winner as our payment is from God” he noted. He also commended the Gambian leader President Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh for been the main sponsor of last year’s competition.