Following suspension of
Maria de Los Angeles
Public demand its
restoration
Impeccable sources at the Gambia Radio and Television Services
have informed The Independent that the Director of Broadcasting
Tombong Saidy has decided to put a halt to the airing of the popular
Venezuelan soap opera Maria De Los Angeles, until after the
Ramadan.
Our source noted that they had just finished presenting the usual
evening news at 8 pm when 'someone of authority claiming to speak
on behalf of the Supreme Islamic Council telephoned the station to
demand that the film be stopped until after the Ramadan'. It could be
recalled that the Supreme Islamic Council during the past months
have waged a vigorous campaign to have the film stop.
Meanwhile the decision of GRTS to stop broadcasting the film until
after the Ramadan, has been greeted with suspicion and any or by
some members of the general public. Reacting to the news Abdoulie
Jow, a technician said he cannot understand why the Supreme
Islamic Council wanted the soap opera stopped merely because of
the Ramadan.
He maintained that since the film has now been stopped, they should
then also call on the authorities to close down the Gambia National
Lottery and all other gambling places, which he argued are more
inimical to Islam. Badou Sowe, denounced GRTS's decision to stop
the film, describing it as an unwarranted interference in the lives of
the people in the name of Islam.
He also maintained that since the soap opera has been stopped, then
those behind its closure should also ask the authorities to close
down the night clubs and bars that are operating during Ramadan.
He argued that night clubs and bars are more likely to derail Muslims
during the month of Ramadan than a mere film. Amie Jobe, a civil
servant in' her turn noted that even though GRTS rescheduled the
airing time of the soap opera to 10:30 pm out of respect for the holy
month of Ramadan, some people still insisted that it be stopped.
She maintained that if those people were true with their conviction
that the film is not suitable for public consumption particularly
during the month of Ramadan then they should have also seen to it
that they leave no stone unturned to get the authorities to
clampdown on prostitutes who are still seen lining up along the
Kairaba Avenue at night.
For his part Musa Njie, a civil servant, cautioned the people behind
the decision to get the film stopped that The Gambia is a secular
state like Senegal where you have more Islamic scholars with highly
reputed image and yet 'they are not behaving the way we are
behaving in The Gambia even though they have similar soap operas
like Mariama and others'.
An Independent reporter said that since they have stopped the
airing of the film because of the Ramadan, then she hoped that
during Lent when the Christian are also supposed to fast, GRTS
would again stop airing the film 'because what is good for the goose
is good for the gander'. Assan Dampha of Bakau said he felt
disappointed because the film had nothing to do with the Ramadan.
'The Gambia is not owned by the Muslims alone and a majority of
those enjoying the film are Muslims the film has nothing to do with
the Ramadan or Islam'. He said before criticising the film, people
should first criticise 'the rampant sex workers' and the numerous bars
which he said more unIslamic.
Even in Islamic states they play soap operas that are more romantic
than Maria de Los Angeles'. He called on the sponsors of the film to
sue GRTS for breach of contract if they fail to bring back the film.
Ousainu Njie, a cashier said it is unfair because the film teaches the
people many things about life. 'Let those who are against it to refrain
from watching and to leave the vast majority of the people of this
country in peace,' he remarked.
He said 'neither the GRTS nor those who claim to be more pious than
the rest of us have the right to decide for us what is good for us'.
Momodou Deen, a printer, said the GRTS should know that 'The
Gambia is not owned by Muslims alone but that it is a secular state.
The GRTS authorities should have thought properly before
suspending the opera because it is not fair for a few people to
assume the God-given right to decide for everybody what is good
for them. If anyone does not want to watch the film let him or her
switch off his or her tv and let those who want to watch the film do
so'.
He said people have been watching films that are far more obscene
than Maria de Los Angeles and nobody has ever raised a finger
against them. Sai Mbye, a student, said GRTS should have never
stopped the film just because a few people were not happy about it,
which he said was a setback for the sponsors. 'Infact the GRTS has
no other programme better than Maria which has absolutely nothing
to do with Islam'.
Ebrima Jawo, a student, said if the GRTS is here for the people, 'then
they should have listened to the people rather than to a few
individuals who represent no one'. However,some people are happy
with the GRTS decision to stop the film and congratulated GRTS for
it. Lamin Samateh of Bakau said he was happy with the move and 'I
am asking GRTS to continue the suspension to the end of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is the most blessed month of the year and we
Muslims should be praying to God for forgiveness rather than
watching a film like Maria de Los Angeles'. Naffie, a housewife also
thanked the GRTS for their decision to stop the film until after the
month of Ramadan and continue with the film they have replaced it
with.
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