Courtesy: Senegambianews newspaper. Haruna.







							The Gambia ALERT: Islamic preacher detained incommunicado for four days, released without charge 						
						
							 
								Published 07/02/2011									- 2:33 p.m. GMT













Alhaji Ismaila Manjang, an imam and a prominent Islamic scholar in The Gambia, was on the night of June 18, 2011 arrested and held incommunicado by the dreaded National Intelligence Agency (NIA). He was released on June 22 without any charges. 
Alhaji Manjang, a scholar of great repute, with over four decades of experience in religious and charity works, was assaulted, roughed up and detained in a mosquito infested cell. He was accused of preaching lies and insulting people.


Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources reported that the imam was subjected to a lengthy interrogation on a wide range of issues, including his recent admonishment to some of his students at a graduating ceremony, to “shun idol worshipping” which he said was becoming prevalent in the Gambian society. 
Alhaji Manjang was picked-up by plain-clothes operatives of the NIA in his home in Gunjur Kombo South District of the Western Region of The Gambia. Although he has not been charged with any offence, he has been reporting regularly to the NIA’s office since his release. 


Gambian citizens, including religious leaders, have not had peace ever since the regime of President Yahya Jammeh came into being in 1994. President Jammeh is the country’s religious minister and has never hidden his hatred for independent religious leaders in the country. MFWA sources said most religious leaders have to sing praises of the regime in order to survive. 


On October 13, 2010 a politically motivated ban on another popular Muslim cleric, Bakawsu Fofanah, was lifted after being issued with a stern warning by President Jammeh. The ban was imposed by the Pro-Jammeh Supreme Islamic Council (SIC), a coalition of Muslim associations in The Gambia. The President warned him to refrain from his manner of religious propagation, which according to him has been characterized by incitement and agitation to cause confusion among Muslims in The Gambia.
On May 22, 2009 also, Baba Leigh, Imam of Kanifing and outspoken critic of President Yahya Jammeh's administration, was warned by President Jammeh to stop criticizing the administration or risk going to prison. 
"As the Minister for Religious Affairs, I won't accept scholars misleading people", President Jammeh told his party supporters.


For more information on this story, Please contact:
Kwame Karikari (Prof), Executive Director, MFWA, Accra, Tel: 233-30-22 4 24 70
Fax: 233-302-22 10 84, Email:[log in to unmask],[log in to unmask]
Website: www.mediafound.org


 




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