The Bakau Muslim Elders Committee has unanimously appointed Ahaji Omar Jammeh as the new Imam Ratib of the town, effective Sunday, November 5, 2007, according to a press release from the committee.
Alhaji Jammeh who has served as Deputy Imam of the Central Mosque for the past twelve years, replaces the octogenarian Alhaji Momodou Bojang, the erstwhile Imam Ratib, who was removed from the post owing to ill health.
The Muslim Elders Committee also stated in a joint statement that Alhaji Momodou Bojang’s ill health, which rendered him incapable of leading congregation prayers in the Central Mosque, was a great source of concern to them (the Muslim elders).
“Since your appointment as Imam Ratib of Bakau and during the past twelve years, you have been ill and unable to lead congregation in the Mosque, hence the appointment of Alhaji Omar Jammeh as the new Imam Ratib.
We thank you and we promise to continue giving you the due respect you deserve,” the joint statement from the Muslim elders went on.
The elders also pledged to work hand-in-hand with the new Imam Ratib and the Mosque Committee for the development, proper maintenance and management of the affairs of the Central Mosque.
With the appointment of the new Imam Ratib, many elders believe the on-going deputy imamship crisis at the Central Mosque will be a thing of the past.