The Imam of Njaba Kunda mosque in the North Bank Region of The Gambia has issued a clarion call to fellow Imams, advising them to exercise caution whenever they get offers of material or cash support from President Adama Barrow.
It would be recalled that Islamic clerics, led by former Supreme Islamic Council president Momodou Lamin Touray, were at the Presidency a little over a fortnight ago, where they made a commitment to work hand in glove with the Gambian leader and his administration.
Imam Alhaji Seedou Mukhtarr Jaiteh of Njaba Kunda in Central Baddibu advised fellow Imams to endeavour to establish the source of any material gift from the President before receiving it, warning that the penalty for receiving public resources without the endorsement of the masses and the Parliament is hell fire.
“Every Imam should be mindful of what you receive, eat and wear. Your congregations reposed confidence in you. If the leader is corrupt, what will then become of the followers? Hence, the Imams should be cautious. What can you advise the President on? Is it about the religion so that you can all band together to develop the nation. But no, it’s all about “tell me what I want to hear and I will open a bank account for you, give you a car and money. But where is the source of that money? If it’s public money, which is not endorsed by the masses or the National Assembly to be spent that way, the consequence is hell fire,” he charged.
Earlier, Imam Seedou Mukhtarr Jaiteh exhorted all the Imams, from Kerewan to Farafenni, not to abandon the tradition of their forefathers.
“Do not forget about the tradition of our forefathers. Allah has created two paths; path to salvation and the evil path. He brings us to the intersection of these paths and it’s now left to us to choose which direction to take because it cannot be both ways. We found our forefathers content with their cola nuts, candles, prayers and white A-4 size papers and these were what they survived on,” he stressed, adding,” Abubacarr Sidiq succeeded the prophet as the Imam. They called him truthful because he was frank. Therefore, Abubacarr Sidiq should be emulated by all Imams. He is the one all Imams should take cue from. Shun this material world. Let’s resist temptation. The ruler summoned you and he said he would prepare a sermon for you next Friday and “that’s what you will deliver as I like”. Well, before the arrival of that Friday, he announced that he has set up an association. Where is the Supreme Islamic Council, where are the two Rawdatul Majalis, where is the Banjul Muslim Elders Council? You sidelined all these groups. What [Islamic] religious association are you going to add onto these associations? You now made it five. You said they will advise you but what else are they going to counsel you on? You said you are going to work with them but I ask you about the area of collaboration with them?”
Imam Jaiteh also wondered how the clerics will work with the President.
“What type of collaboration do you want to have in the country? That is the question I have for you [Imams]. If you want to support him [President], support him with the truth,” stated Imam Jaiteh.
