Ousman
I urge you to hold your horse. Who said, I condone the involvement of politicians in the Bakawsu affairs or even condone his silencing? I am providing a general background that, politicians always have hands in the way religious bodies conduct themselves. It may seems to you that, the ones in the U.S are free from state interference but in reality, they are not. Politicians use religion and religious leaders whenever it suits them. It just happens that, a madman is overstepping the mark in the Gambia. The way the affairs was handled is wrong and I felt Bakawsu was mistreated. However, preachers have a responsibility which most also be observed. 
Every situation requires new ways of addressing, and this case is a first of it kind. We shouldn't go overboard with the attacks on the General SIC. We may disagree with some members closeness to politicians or the government but that doesn't mean these men have powers to legislate anything. 
Bakawsu's right to free speech was encroach, but he shouldn't have listen to them because the SIC don't have the power to ban him. The government can with sufficient proof if what he is preaching have the potential to cause unrest. This is happening all over the world. With dictatorship, such allowances is non-existent. This is why, i said the issue is an irrelevant diversion. However, the way certain writers have taken to the topic is unhealthy, this is why i backed Drammeh's statement. Ousman, what we are witnessing is all the result of tyrannical dictatorship, pure and simple. I am not worried about the SIC if there is a real democratic government in place. Yahya Jammeh uses every opportunity to be on TV, whether that is buying the dignity of Gambians with public money or acting Imperial in white robes. Hence, he is the real problem, all the pouncers we jump on are pawns and actors for him.
Suntou 
 

On Sat, Oct 16, 2010 at 9:05 PM, Ousman Ceesay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Suntou,

I don't know about the Archbishop nomination in the UK and what the prime minister's role was in it, but I will hasten to add that in the United States, there is no collusion between the Baptist Convention and the government. The government in this country plays no role in how the baptist convention or another religion conducts their affairs. What transpired during the Bakawsu affair is a blatant encroachment of state powers into religion. It is shameful that people of religious dispensation had to use the powers of the state to silence another citizen. Comparing it to situations that prevail in the United States, England or Italy is disingenuous to say the least. If you condone what the SIC with the aid of the state did to Bakawsu, I will venture to question your commitment to the rule of law. If you believe in the free speech rights and association of the citizenry, you may abhor what Bakawsu has to say or how he practice Islam, but will not condone or defend muzzling him. Once you start making exceptions, you are embarking on a slippery slope. Today it is Bakawsu, tomorrow it will be somebody you agree with. You are forewarned.  

regards,
Ousman.


http://gambian.blogspot.com


From: suntou touray <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sat, October 16, 2010 11:38:23 AM
Subject: Re: On Matters of Clarity - I have no relative in the Hounourable Supreme Islamic Council

Drammeh,
Notwithstanding our differences, you have said the right things in the message. The so-called difference is an irrelevant diversion. In every country, politicians don't leave religious leaders alone, be in Rome, the U.S, England etc. In fact, the British Prime Minister approve the nomination of the ArchBishop, likewise the several Baptise Conventions across America. The other way of controlling religious bodies is through the Charitable regulations. Hence, the SIC cannot operate without the government's interferences. Whichever government is in place, the SIC will most work with them, just like the Christian Council, and other religious bodies.
My little contribution on the subject will be posted later.
God Bless
Suntou

On Sat, Oct 16, 2010 at 3:43 AM, Muhammed Drammeh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Dear All,

I appeal to all of you to limit our issues on politics and politic leaders noit because  of nepotism or any other selfish reasons but because of the sensitivity of religion.

It is very easy for dishonest elements like Jammeh and co to exploit the situation.

The Honourable religious leaders may have their disagreement and our role is to promote the peace between them. Our honourable religious leaders may act to the dissatisfaction of some of us but they will never do so intentionally.

The wicked dishonest, big munafiq and iblis is Jammeh the crook. He should have maintain a neutral role and should not even get involve. He could have invited them in private and resolve the matter in private. No no no, disnonest crack head Jammeh choose to make a political capital out of it.

Wicked Jammeh went as far as insulting the Honourable Ba Kawsu Fofana. Lying Jammeh even went as far as claiming to have more knowledge than the honourable Ba Kawsu Fofana.

I have a £20, 000.00 offer for Jammeh to recite surah Tauba. Munafiq Jammeh and lying , disrespectful Jammeh cannot even recite Surah Fatihah properly.

Arrogant big headed Jammeh choose the occassion on national TV to insult the Hourable Ba Kawsu Fofana.

Arrogant Jammeh lied before the whole world that he can cure AIDS. How can such a lying rat be better than the hounourable Ba Kawsu Fofana.

The honourable Ba Kawsu Fofana went to state House with his  honourable paternal uncle and he was merely being respectful to his paternal uncle and that is reason for his silence.

Who the held does Jammeh think he is?

The time is right to kick this big bafoon out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Muhammad Bai Drammeh

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Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran

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--
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran

www.suntoumana.blogspot.com
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