The community of Kotu in the Serrekunda West constituency have join sympathisers within and outside the country  to express their condolences to the Jammeh family, following the demise of Aja Fatou Jammeh, the late aunt of the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

Dozens of residents of Kotu, yesterday visited the compound of Aja Fatou Ashombi Bojang, the mother of the president, to extend their condolences to the family. The sympathisers, who represented all the clans of the Kotu community, were led to the Aja Bojang’s residence by Oustass Mass Mbye, the Imam of the said area. In line with Islamic tradition, the Qu’ran was recited to seek Allah’s blessing for the departed soul.

Addressing the gathering, Imam Mbye said that the move was meant to share the bereavement with the Jammeh family. This, he maintained, is a fundamental aspect of good neighbourliness. Good neighbourliness, he added, is very fundamental in the teachings of the Islamic faith. “Expressing our solidarity with the Jammeh family could not be done at a better moment than now, when they are in a difficult moment,’’ he reiterated.

According to the Imam, death is inevitable but the departed soul needs constant prayers. Imam Mbye went on to advise Muslims to nurture the Islamic faith and always remember the supremacy of the Almighty Allah. “The gathering is a composition of the entire Kotu community. We have recited the book of Allah for the departed soul. What we have recited for her will surely be answered by the Almighty Allah, as we did it in good faith,” he noted.

While praying for Allah’s blessing for Aja Fatou Ashombi Bojang, the mother of the president and the entire Jammeh family, Imam Mbye hailed his people for their solidarity. Alhaji Mass Axi Gye, former secretary of state for Youths and Sports, who is a close neighbour of the bereaved family, said most of the neighbours could not make it to Kanilai to express their condolences due to circumstances beyond their control. He added that as good neighbours, they felt obliged to show their solidarity with the bereaved family.

Gye spoke at length about good neighbourliness, noting that it can only truly be demonstrated during difficult moments. Oustass Cherno Jah, a scholar in the community, led the Muslims in the concluding prayers for the departed soul.