The Government of the Gambia Thursday approved an application made by the country’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for a television licence.
The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Vice President Fatoumata Tambajang. During the meeting, ministers considered recommendation by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) for the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure to issue a content service provider (TV) licence for Muslim Television Ahmadiyya.
The decision to give TV licence to the Ahmadis is likely to anger senior clerics of the country’s Supreme Islamic Council, who regards Ahmadis as non-Muslims.
The clerics have used their Friday sermons to campaigned against a television station for the Ahmadis, which they said would be used as a “propaganda tool to adulterate the minds” of the Islamic community.
One prominent Gambian Islamic scholar, Imam Ratib Muhammad Al Amin Drammeh of Serrekunda has warned the government against granting a TV licence to the Ahmadis as they are not Muslims.
“The Ahmadis have to stop making false claims about their true identity. They cannot apply a TV license on the basis they are Muslims,” the imam told the Associated Press News Agency.
Meanwhile, ministers have also approved the ratification of the 1994 Agreement for the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. By becoming a party, the Gambia would join 150 countries that would have a say in the authorisation of seabed exploration and mining.
A tax exemption was also approved for the construction and installation of 25 solar powered water supply systems in the five administrative regions of the country. The US$3.4 million project is part of an MOU signed between the Government of the Gambia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2017 as part of the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources drive to providing potable water.
In a bid to curb inappropriate management of fishing practices which continue to endanger ecosystems, fish habitats and further diminish economic returns, cabinet endorsed the decision of the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources to acquire two fisheries inspection vessels.
Cabinet also discussed and approved for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs to consider an offer of a price of 240,000 Euros by the West Africa Aero Services Sarl for two small airplanes belonging to the government of The Gambia.
First I will say that tolerance of any form invariably pays dividends!
And then I’d add, YAYE!!
Thumbs up!
We’ll come back to the subject.
This is good news Pjalo. They require their rights as citizens to be respected too. Over to Imam Fatty!
I don’t think the decision to allow Ahmadiyyas a tv license is democratic. This will surely undermine the peace and security of our nation. Democracy has its limits especially when it comes to the tranquility of a nation. The stupid parliament with no quality experience have done it again. This is very sad news for all Muslim ummah. The end will justify the means.
I hope the Barrow administration about will articulate the reasons behind their decision otherwise I am afraid.
I don’t think the decision to allow Ahmadiyyas a tv license is democratic. This will surely undermine the peace and security of our nation. Democracy has its limits especially when it comes to the tranquility of a nation. The stupid parliament with no quality experience have done it again. This is very sad news for all Muslim ummah. The end will justify the means.
I hope the Barrow administration will articulate the reasons behind their decision otherwise I am afraid.
This is a historic mistake and government will pay for their foolish action to give platform to heretic religion.
Our notable scholars will moving in their graves. Barrow failed us again. First he renew the Golden Lead licence to continue the environmental destruction in Gunjur and now he ignore majority concern and side with heretics.
He did not let us down. He upheld the Constitution and that’s great.
The duty of scholars is to educate, inform and guide; not to enforce.
Only one person had the Command to enforce, at specific times and under very strict conditions, and that was the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)
Observe your duties towards your God, propagate your beliefs with beautiful preaching and sound arguments, and let others do the same. That’s how peace and tranquillity will be maintained in our country.
“Heretics” or NOT is PURELY POLITICS Lamin. Every claim to righteousness must be judged by practice – “PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH”. Is Sunni Saudi Arabia’s current GENOCIDE in Yemen, or Saudi Arabia’s funding of the Islamic State that killed so many fellow Muslim’s not a “heresy” to HUMANITY? And what is religion if not Humanity?
This is best, most honest and bravest decision the Barrow government has done so far. The granting of the licence will help the Ahmadians articulate their beleives better. This will make more Gambians reject their Sect (as some of their beleive of a Mahdi, like many other sects eg Layen of Senegal, has no basis). However, it will also make war mongerers and self proclaimed clerics, like Fatty and his co-thugs, irrelevant becase it will help dispel the lies and hatred messages they are spreading about Ahmadians.
Those guys against the decisions have no good reason other than denying the basic rights of another group or religious practice in the Gambia. If amadiya is granted a tv license to operate, what prevent Muslims from do the same similar thing ? Gambia is nations of democracy, all religious are equally entitled to request or apply for tv license. Dictators are the problems they just denied peoples basic right, that’s what I’m seeing in the forum. We must promote peace not violence, we can disagree at the same time respect our differences and obey the laws of the land.
This decision of Barrow Govt. to issue licence to Ahmadiyya despite protest from the Sunni majority will go down in the history of this Country. Maybe the Barrow Govt. Would again allow homosexuals and lesbian laws to be passed. Soon we will have same-sex marriage promoted by Barrow Govt. Under Barrow Government , we will soon see centers all over the Gambia for sex parties and swingers from Europe and America would start very soon to set up centers all over in the country and recruit Gambian children ; all in the name of democracy, constitionallism and what have you.May Allaah’s curse be on this Gvernment.May Allaah elevate another Government that would look after the decision and wish of majority Gambians.
Allaah has warned “Know they not that whoever opposes and shows hostility to Allaah and his messenger (SAWS),certainly for him will be the Fire of Hell to abide therein.That is the extreme disgrace.” Q9:63.
Mbading
I stick to my protestation that this is poor decision and can harm our national security. Soon sects with various persuassions will also want a TV station of their own and preach violent parochial sermons. The president was ill-advised. It is very prudent and acceptable to bypase the constitution for the sake of preserving national security interest and I made that abundantly clear in my article on this matter. This is pervasive norm in most developed democracies. Let npt the ahmadiyya rejoice, this is beginning of the end of the little accommodation they enjoyed over years.
“Prudent and Acceptable to bypass the Constitution”???? What exactly do you mean, Lamin Darboe: that the government should disregard the Constitution? You would be a very dangerous person to our emerging democracy if that’s your argument. How would such impunity safeguard national security?
…….this is the begining of the end of the little accomodation…. Lamin, Please note than that accomodation is provided by the Constitution, not by you or anyother religion fanatic. If you, or anyone else attempt to terminate it without going through the same Constitution, which you cannot do, it will just result to the termination of your own freedom and probably life.
The majority of Gambians supports everything that will promote peace, progress and prosperity, oncluding the approval of this TV licence. A radical minority can longer be allowed to dictate the direction of the nations affairs. That will be too unfair and unjust.
Ntoma
I have a few questions for you with regards to religious tolerance in The Gambia. And trust me, am asking you to deepen my understanding of what all is going on.
1) If the Tijania or Maurid or any sect for that matter will apply for a tv license, should it be denied because majority of Gambians do not subscribe to their ideology?
2) How about the Shias?
3) If atheists apply for same, will it be denied on the same grounds?
4) What about Christians?
WE British have just opened a Mosque in the Outer Hebrides………..So should we fear Islam or embrace it ? I liked praying in the Mosque in Banjul. I was instructed by a scholar. WE talked and exchange views. I think talking, learning and embracing all religions is the key to Peace amongst us. Of course there are people who kill in the name of religion. But these are very sad , misguided and misinformed misfits, who render themselves to a cause, that could never be justified by any saint, or a member of God’s holy counsel. Religion can never be tied to murder of the innocent. Or to one God whose name and righteousness is linked to the destruction of children.The frustration of religion and it’s vagaries was brought to a modern summit of despair by John Lennon. “Imagine no religion”
Nothing to kill or die for,,, A brotherhood of man.What part of man’s mind is geared only to hatred of difference ? In a true democracy let us have religion and freedom of choice who we worship, but not lose sight of a new message of hope from someone who is not of our colour or creed or religion.
“… Soon sects with various persuassions will also want a TV station of their own and preach violent parochial sermons…”
Arfang Lang; I’m sure the Constitution got something too on your concern herein; there’s the security apparatuses mandatory safeguard duties monitoring for hatred & violence incitements, etc etc, while the community & general public, will all serve in the overseeing observations, in debates for ideas in search of wisdom to better ourselves in this our global Village; any breaches for the safeguard of licensing regulations will result in correctional measures as required…
The Constitution encompasses all areas for the survival of the human being; a (diverse) people Community (country) in a “do unto to one another” basis; hence Bajaw’s right to call himself “Muslim” ISN’T any more OR less than Mr Baba Trawally’s despite both men differ in beliefs; the Holy Qur’an says “… Lakhum deenikum, wallyadeen…” – “… unto you(them), your(their) religion, unto me(us), my(our) religion… ”
Lamin, I call you to pay heed & embrace the Noble Soul’s (SAW) sacred called to the “Tongue Jihad” in one of the notable sermons which scholars unanimously agreed was most outstanding; Mohammed (SAW) was quoted to have instructed & informed the Ummah amongst other things, to “…desist from forceful confrontation of the other faiths & resort to the tongue, now that Allah (SWT) have perfected your religion for you…”
The Gambia is a community which have duty to provide & cater for all regardless of diversity in humanity; the selective injustices are the real threats to societal coexistence world over; it can’t be different in the Gambia too; a commendable decision, indeed…
God bless Gambia…
Folks you guys always view regious affairs through the ultra liberal glasses and ignore the security risk of the country and its unique religious harmoney engendered by the shrewd politics of previous leaders. Our government derived its power from the people and it must respect those people. The majority of Gambians don’t want this and I am sure if put to referendum, there will be resounding rejection. In many nations the flame of discord gerimnates with ignoring majority aspirations. The people have their religious beliefs and traditions and expect them to be respected. Let Barrow listen to the people if not, he is laying the foundations of future discord.
Quote: “The people have their religious beliefs and traditions and expect them to be respected.”
Lamin Darboe, when you say “the people”, do you include those Gambians who embraced the Ahmadiyya Belief and are Ahmadis? Should they also expect that their beliefs are respected or do you hold that they have lost that right?
The majority of Gambians welcomes this TV because they are not scared of constructive debates. The cowards trying impose their empty ideas on Gambians will nevet have their way. They will remain lossers.
Bajaw
You have a wrong umdestanding of the prophets sunnah. If what you claim is true then why did he fought Musalimah and Sarjah who both like Qulam ahmed claim prohethood and started teaching heretic beliefs. Do you understand the Islamic religion better than Abu Bakr who killed musalilah the false prophet and also fought those who refused to pay Zakat. Please leave what you don’t know and speak about what you know. If Abubakr was Barrow will be even allow Qadiyani to settle in the Gambia and propagate false doctrine.
Lamin Darboe, it is you who seems to be talking about what you don’t know (no disrespect). Musaylimah was not fought for his beliefs. The Prophet (S.A.W.) never fought Musaylimah, the liar. On the contrary, he even engaged him in dialogue, through correspondence.
Musaylimah was fought and killed (in battle) because he presented a military threat to the city of Medina during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (R.A), when the Prophet (S.A.W.) had already passed away.
The Ahmadis are not challenging state authority in The Gambia, nor do they pose any security threat to the nation. They have every right to enjoy all the constitutional guarantees that the republic offers its citizens and residents. Those who oppose this and want to deny them, like yourself, are the ones that are challenging the authority of the state and thus, pose a threat to our national security.
You have every right to criticise the Ahmadis, challenge their beliefs and where you can, tear those beliefs to shreds, but you have no right to attempt to curtail the enjoyment of their rights to believe in the way they do and practice that belief in accordance with the laws of the land.
The worst lies being peddled about Ahmadians is the claim that they reject the prophet of islam. Yes, they beleive he is the promise Messiah. Any one can disagree with them on that but they beleive that he is the seal of the prophets.
Correction….their believe tha Qulam is the promised Messiah.
Don’t think majority in this paper translates to majority in tje Gambia, that will wrong projection. Just read Standard News paper and watch.out for ardent opposition to Qadiyani TV. No.l only that, most ulama are against it and they know the religious implications.more than you and me.
Lamin, our different schools of thought differ even in the sunni sect itself based on doctrines, more so between Shia, mureed, tijanyya, etc etc; the prophet (SAW) was reported to have protected minority rights & religious tolerance in the advent of Islam in his time in Macca; it’s was through his preachings on justice & love for one another which convinced many more to embrace & convert to Islam in his time & still continues to date, as witnessed World over…
There’s no majority of opinion on religious beliefs; it is independently individualistic opinion & own conviction; if so, just like in voting, why can’t God (please) pass the whole Gambia, a country with majority population of Muslims & send us all to Heaven wholesale together on Judgment Day of Reckoning; but we will all “be accountable on our individual capacities, deliberations & endeavours we wilfully engage in while (alive) here on earth” etc etc etc….
The prophet has given the Muslims the guidelines already in the Qur’an & sunnah for uphold of peaceful coexistence & all other human aspects for gaining eternal harmony of the person/s on earth together & hereafter; it’s transgression to deny other faiths the same rights guaranteed to mainstream Muslims & all other faiths on equal status, if the equality of the human being is to stay true to the text….
The only un amas who oppose the issuance of the licence are he e who have been intoxicated by Yaya’s drug money. All God fearing Ulamas welcomes this TV because they are learned and are not scared of interllectal debates.
Freedom to own media should be encouraged. It will ensure flow of information, entertainment, business, job creation, diverse ideas, and more. By granting license to the organisation, the government has demonstrated a clear mind about giving a sense of belonging to all people, not just one segment.
Rather than attack the Ahmadiyya establishment or the govetnment, other organizations should apply for their own license, have their own media and operate it peacefully.
The Gambia should not be backward. The government realises the need to promote developmental projects in spite of hatred that one segment of a religious group displays towards another.
Bajaw
If you don’t know ask those who know. The prophet never condoned apostasy and false doctrine. Your insinuations that Musalimah was fought because of security is false. Abubakr fought him to establish the true deen. The prophet wrote to him because that is the first step before jihad. Bring evidence of the falsehood of false doctrine and if the perpetrator refused, you fight. The Qadiyani doctrines were opposed by nearly all eminent scholars from Badara Faye to Hatab Bojang to Bun Jeng and you cannot pretend you don’t know that. Are they not sincere scholars by GAMBIAN’S standard. Your ultra liberal flares will come to burn you just watch.
Quote: “Abubakr fought him to establish the true deen. ”
Comment: Astaghfirrullah!!! So the Prophet (s.a.w.) did not finish his mission of establishing the true Deen before his death. That was left to Abubakr (ra) to do so. You really need to watch yourself Mr L.Darboe.
The scholars you mentioned had/have a duty to educate and guide, but not to force. Respected as they may be, they are not infallible and if any of them had preached physically stopping Ahmadis from practising their religion, much more legitimizing their killing, then they would have been wrong and not speaking the language of Islam.
By the way, that was Bax; not Bajaw.
Ntoma,
if you want to deprive a certain segment of the society their rights as enshrined in the constitution, you go back to the same constitution and amend it. Anything shy of that will be a tyrannical exercise. Gambia, you have to remember is not an Islamic state. It is a secular republic.
You really mixing two things that has to be kept separate.
Besides, is the SIC sleeping that they can’t apply for their own license to operate multi media channels? Yet they claim to be the majority. Majority in Sunni or Sufie practices?
I have the feeling the SIC might give the lack of funds for such an undertaking and claim the Ahmadis are getting their money from England and America, but they also have their patrons in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other gulf states.
Are you simply insinuating all Gambians should arm themselves with machetes and chase the Ahmadis out?
Your arguments based on Islamic teachings are out of context because, I repeat, Gambia is NOT governed on Islamic jurisprudence, or the Christian theology or Baha’i teachings.
Then how can you claim someone will burn in hell fire because they mention this simple facts to you?
Any one who does not share the Ahmadians believe can oppose them. I, in particular, oppose many of their believes and practices. However, ones opposition to any thing have to be within guided principles and practices in laws, what ever those laws are. Opposition have to be within the law, and it has to be legally exercised. Otherwise, if you want to exercise an opposition outside the limits of the laws, those same laws will consume you before you finish.
Lamin Darboe, don’t waste your time arguing with the Ahmadiya appostates. All muslim countries in the world see them, with knowledge, as appostates.
All those opposing this TV license have nothing to offer to the country other than their empty ideas. Its far better for them to remain silent.
Lamin Darboe, Bax have set the records straight already…
Lang you are the one ‘mixing mangoes with your apples up’;
“education” (knowledge) isn’t single-facet & (must) never to be taken for granted….
Even in native Gunjur, Touray brought the religion & converted Darboe; you may don the mascot costumes but can’t fool your (tutors) “Karamoh” headmaster – Manding adage….
Lang, Sheriff Hatab Bojang, Omar Bun Jeng, & all others, took upon other faiths in the “Tongue Jihad” which is still available to you & your collaborative Sic aggressors today, some of whom (themselves) exhibit traits of “Almunafiqun” evidently to the core…
Mohammed) SAW) was reported at some point, to have been “giving money to a particular drunkard unbeliever who would regularly go after asking Mohammed (SAW) for money for alcohol; while the prophet (SAW) patiently took time to preach him whenever this unbeliever comes for money to buy alcohol”…
In short; the Sahabas (followers) “couldn’t get it initially, with some of them asking, why the prophet (SAW) of all people should do this, until when the person came to confess & converted to Islam shortly after, WILLFULLY”….
Omar Bun Khatab, for example, the (second) Khalif following after Abubakar wasn’t coerced or ever forcefully converted into Islam against his own will because of fear of fellow human being; this was in the time of Mohammed (SAW); why do you think you can succeed in forcing your views upon anyone in this time & age…?
Khalif Omar’s bravery was an added facilitation to enabling the prophet (SAW) to establishing the religion on strong footing; the prophet (SAW) was reportedly said to have personally confessed to prayed & ask his creator to illuminate Omar’s heart to convert & join him to propagate & establish the religion…………………………………
Lamin, you can continue to ignore the Holy prophet’s (SAW) instructions to Muslims compliance to “debates” in harmony but gone are the days of segregation & transgression in the Gambia….
The Gambia belongs to all regardless of diversity in humanity which is a Natural Fact (to accept) out of God’s Own Wilful Creation that is here to stay; like OR loathe….
God bless Gambia….