Religious leaders

Alhaji Cherno Alioune Mass Kah, Imam Ratib of Banjul
I thank the Daily Observer for this good initiative. I am calling on all Gambians to change their attitudes and work together in unison and harmony for a better Gambia in 2009.

Peace is fundamental in nation building and without it, no development can take place. I therefore pray to Allah to guide, protect and bless our beautiful nation, The Gambia.I would also like to commend President Jammeh for his hard work and untiring efforts towards the development of our country. I pray that the Almighty Allah guide and bless Professor Jammeh.

Aja Maimuna Savage
executive director of the Islamic Cultural Centre for Women and Children, and executive member of The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council. I am wishing everyone a happy New Year.  As we enter into 2009, I would like to appeal to the women in Islam to search for more knowledge and be closer to Allah, so that He can forgive us our sins.

As muslims, we should also take our five daily prayers seriously before death comes on our way.  God has created mankind purposely to worship him. Therefore, we should worship Allah as expected. I would also like to pray for the sick people, the needy and our families abroad.

Finally, I would like to say congratulations to His Excellency Professor Alhagi Dr Yahya Jammeh, president of the Republic of The Gambia, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice president and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs and all muslims in The Gambia.

Momodou Lamin Touray
President of The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC)
First of all, we praised the Almighty Allah for a successful 2008 and further thank Him for making it possible for us to witness the beginning of yet another twelve months with good health. We also thank Allah for the peace and stability on the country over the past twelve months.

Our resolutions are a continuation of what we planned over the years, but key among these resolutions are the setting up of sub-committees within the council that will be tasked to implement activities at the Muslim body. One of these committees is the education committee and their main role would be the development and propagation of Islamic knowledge across the length and breadth of the country especially in schools.

This committee would also be tasked to tap scholarships for prospective students, to pursue higher education, as well as to map out strategies for the establishment of a higher institution of learning that will accommodate high school graduates.

The GSIC also set up a Dawah committee that is tasked to set standards for mosques in the country. The sub-committee will engage in the activities of propagating Islam among Muslims especially the youth folk of this country, to ensure attitudinal change towards the religion.

The Supreme Islamic body also set up project committee and their role is to device ways and means for the council to run projects that are not only meant to complement the council’s executive but the government at large. The list is many, but we want to see that all our resolutions are being implemented in a bid to become a vibrant Muslim body. But the council is not losing sight of the fact that any new development in the future will only come to complement the efforts done by the Gambian leader to the council.

To conclude, I implore on all citizens particularly Muslims, to nurture attitudinal changes among themselves and renew their commitment to the faith of the Islamic religion.

Bishop Solomon Tilewa Johnson
Anglican Bishop of Banjul
As the head of the Anglican Mission in The Gambia, we would strive to continue on our efforts to make this country the most religious tolerant state. We would continue to ensure that we keep the defence of religious co-existence at the highest level.

Also, I will endeavour to equip my Bishop Lieutenants to take care of God’s people in the country efficiently and effectively. Another important resolution is to respond to the president’s clarion call for the people to go back to the land. This would be made possible through the enrollment of prospective students into our Anglican Mission Institute Senior Secondary School in Farafenni and North Bank Region.

As a religious leader in this country, I would advise people at individual level, as well as communities, to keep the focal of this great nation, which is in line with peace and stability.

Hatab Fadera & Assan Sallah contributed in this piece.