Muslim Hands (Gambia) once again has inaugurated a new mosque in the Foni Kansala village of Daru salam Sangajor last Friday. Bankrolled by Mrs. B.A. Olla, the mosque that accommodates over 1,000 worshippers has been constructed through the coordination of MHG.

Ousman Bojang, who heads implementation and coordination of MHG projects, said in total over three hundred and fifty thousand Dalasis (D350, 000) was spent on the construction of the edifice.

Describing the mosque as a blessing for Daru salam and its entire satellite villages, Mr. Bojang commended the sponsor for providing funds for what he called "noble and divine gesture" which was done purposely to meet Allah's favour. "I therefore urge other donors to emulate the noble and divine gestures of Mrs. BA Olla," he said, admitting, "The new mosque forms part of the many successful projects we have been coordinating in the country."

Mr. Bojang said his office is also proud of recording success in constructing mosques in Serekunda, Kotu Quarry, Sinchu Sori, Sinchu Baliya and Bun Jeng Islamic Institute in Brikama. "In a couple of weeks, we will be inaugurating mosques in Sinchu Sori and Bun Jeng Islamic Institute."

The Caliph of Sheriff Mahfouz Kebbanding Hydara, Sheriff Ahmed Fadel Hydara, described MHG as a reputable charitable organisation whose motto is "united for the needy." Mr. Hydara said since its inception in The Gambia in 1993, the charity has been offering a lot of assistance to the needy people without minding their religious or tribal affiliations.

Without the Samaritan and kind-hearted efforts of individuals and groups, Mr Hydara said, Muslim Hands would not have achieved its desired goals. "We therefore thank them for their continuous efforts to bail out the poor and needy people," he said.

The Caliph of Sheriff Samsidine Hydara in Darul Khairy in Casamance, Sheriff Sheikh Hatab Hydara, cautioned worshippers to be wary of infiltrating the mosque with cultures and traditions that do not merge with Islam. He backed his point with a quotation from the Quran that all mosques belong to Allah and that nothing other than Him should be called there.

Sheriff Hydara preached to Muslims to bolster the furtherance of peace because "Islam is a religion whose foundation is based on peace, tolerance and understanding.

”For Imam AI-Heyba Hydara, the only way for Muslims to live in peace is to build love and respect in their society. He also warned worshippers to maintain the mosque as the house of God and that they must be committed in performing the five daily prayers there, for prayers in the mosque is worth 27 times the ones performed at home. The Imam of Daru salam Sangajor, Sheriff Sheikh Maline Hydara, heaped praises on both the donors and MHG and prayed for Allah's blessings and mercy to be bestowed on them. He said anyone who builds the most important house - the mosque - must surely reap the benefit in this world and the hereafter. Imam Hydara assured that the mosque would be put to good use.

The beneficiaries of the mosque expressed thanks and appreciation to the donors and Muslim Hands for addressing their prayer needs.

Hundreds of people from within the country and beyond attended the important ceremony.