An excellent observation Baba. SUntou On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 9:09 PM, Baba Jallow <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Bro Fankung, > > As I'm sure you know, religious extremism is only one kind of extremism. > There is also economic extremism, as in regularly dishing out millions of > dalasi on Quranic recitation competitions. And there is political extremism, > as in hanging on to power for dear life as if one owned the countyry and > engaging in acts of political repression against one's own people. There > there is dress extremism, as in wearing huge boubou's under extremely hot > weather conditions; or clutchiung a sword, prayer beads and a koran at all > one's appearances in public. Then there is verbal extremism, as in claimng > to be able to cure AIDS, Asthma, hypertension, cancer, infertility, and > impotence. Then there is titular extremism, as in having Sheikh, Alhagie, > Doctor, Professor, Nasiru Deen as appendages to an extremely long name. Then > there is Ignorant extremism, as in claiming that European powers are > planning on recolonizing Africa in the twenty-fisrt century. So my point is > Bro Fankung, Nebraska Navy Admiral Retired Colonel Yahya Abdul Aziz Jemus > Junkung Jammeh should not assault our sensibilities with extremist sermons > on extremism of any kind because he is the very embodiment of extremisms of > many ugly kinds. > > Thanks for sharing the story. And good day Bro. > > Baba > , > On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 6:38 AM, Fankung Fankung Jammeh < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> President Jammeh denounces extremism, says Islam is non-violent As he >> hands over Qur’anic competition prizes to winners >> >> <http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/president-jammeh-denounces-extremism-says-islam-is-non-violent-as-he-hands-over-quranic-competition#map> >> Africa <http://observer.gm/africa/news> » Gambia<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/news> >> >> « prev<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/president-jammeh-denounces-extremism-says-islam-is-non-violent-as-he-hands-over-quranic-competition> >> 1 of 4 next »<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/president-jammeh-denounces-extremism-says-islam-is-non-violent-as-he-hands-over-quranic-competition> >> Monday, May 16, 2011 >> The president of the Republic has once again denounced the use of the >> noble Islamic religion by “extremists” as a coat to engage in violent >> activities that are catastrophic and done in the name of “so-called jihad” >> waged on innocent people, especially Muslims. He denounced these acts as >> unIslamic, stressing that the religion is not violent as “there is no >> compulsion to Islam”. >> >> His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh was speaking Friday >> afternoon at State House grounds in Banjul, while handing over prizes to the >> female winners of the Presidential Qur’anic Memorisation Competition, which >> he sponsored. Zeinab Muhammed Cham of Madarasa Daara Arham in Sinchu Alagie >> emerged as the winner of the female Under-19 category of the competition and >> was presented with a cash prize of D1M; whilst Mariam Yahya Darboe of the >> Isha Umul Mumineen Memorisation School in Wellingara went home with a cash >> prize of D500, 000 as the second winner. The third place was grabbed by >> Hassanatou Abdourahman Jallow of Daara Ibrahim Sallah in Wellingara, who >> received a consolation prize of D250, 000. >> >> This second phase of the competition came barely more than a month after >> similar prizes were awarded to the male winners of the first competition. >> Whilst many described this initiative as a great boost to the propagation >> Islam in the country, the initiative also provided the opportunity to >> showcase the knowledge and excellence of the country's young Islamic >> scholars, as well as unearth the unique talents that the nation is endowed >> with. Like the male winners, the female winners equally amazed people >> present at the event, which also included Her Excellency, the First Lady of >> the Republic, Madam Zeineb Yahya Jammeh, Cabinet ministers and other >> dignitaries with their unique and melodious recitation of the Holy Qur’an >> off-hand. >> >> Speaking at the occasion, the Gambian leader, while maintaining that he >> has many reasons for organising the Qur’anic Memorisation Competition, >> categorically made it clear that the principal reason of his initiating it >> is to “show to the people that no one will come from outside to say that he >> will educate Gambians with Qur’an”. This, he noted, is due to the fact that >> even some nine-year old kids have now memorised the Holy Book in the country >> today. “There are times that we see certain groups that say they came to >> educate people on Islam. Look at those people – it is true that where they >> come from are called Islamic nations. But look at even their charities >> [Zakat] – who do they give it to? Had it been they are giving to those >> Muslims that are less privileged or needy ones, today no Muslim will suffer >> in this world,” the Gambian leader observed. >> >> President Jammeh, in denouncing the phenomenon of extremism went on to >> crave the indulgence of his fellow faithful to be steadfast in upholding the >> Islamic Religion, while warning those “so-called jihadists” not to extend >> their style of religion to The Gambia as it is a ‘no go area’ for them. He >> underscored that The Gambia’s peace and stability is thanks to the fact that >> the citizens love and care for each other. He condemned the bombing of >> innocent people, especially Muslims, by so-called jihadists, while decrying >> that phenomenon as unIslamic. He observed that in some countries today, many >> Muslims are skeptical of whether or not they will return safely back home if >> they attend a Friday congregational prayers due to the acts of vengeance by >> the extremists who place bombs in mosques. >> >> The president noted that today the “most dangerous enemies of Islam” are >> in fact within the Muslims themselves, apparently referring to those >> “extremists” that tarnish the good image of the religion, and the Holy >> Qur’an through their unacceptable activities thereby discouraging even those >> that want to embrace or join the faith. He preached that Islam is a religion >> that does not promote hatred towards other people including non-Muslims, and >> that no one can be forced to join it. He added: “Allah says that if you kill >> a human being deliberately, it is just like you have killed the entire human >> race. Why didn’t Allah say if you kill a Muslim but a human being? So why >> those Muslims that call themselves Jihadists are killing fellow Muslims than >> any other one? >> >> Who can raise his hand to say that the Prophet of Islam, Muhammed [PBUH] >> has led any jihad where he sits at home and asks people to go to the >> frontline and do the jihad? So why those that call themselves Islamic >> jihadists have this belief that if you explode yourself in a mosque and kill >> people you will go to Heaven?” The Gambian leader further observed: “In fact >> they don’t allow their children to commit suicide but other people’s >> children. So what type of jihad are we talking about? If they are following >> the footsteps of Prophet Muhammed [PBUH] they will not sit at home and ask >> other people’s children to commit suicide and kill others. In fact God >> condemns suicide. How can you commit suicide and expect to go to Heaven >> because to kill yourself is itself condemned by God. What type of Heaven are >> you anticipating to go?” >> >> President Jammeh reiterated the need for people to be extra-careful, while >> lamenting on the threat these extremist “so-called jihadists” pose to the >> continent. He observed that the extremists have now also targeted the >> continent, taking advantage of its poor financial status to influence people >> through their wealth to carry out their “evil” activities. He warned that >> such will not be possible in The Gambia. “Those who befriended the West >> yesterday and had a problem with them are today fighting with the former and >> devastating Muslims. So we have to be very mindful about money. Those people >> who wrapped themselves with Islam place bombs in places of worships such as >> mosques are not Muslims,” he further stated. >> >> The Gambian leader then went on to task the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council >> (GSIC) to be vigilant about such people, declaring that they are not welcome >> in this country He continued: “Anybody who welcomes them you will be ashamed >> because we will know and if we caught you we are going to arrest both of >> you. ‘Fitna’ (violence) is condemned and not mentioned by God in the Holy >> Qur’an. So why today those that call themselves jihadists are killing >> Muslims everyday. Such incidences are even higher during the Holy Month of >> Ramadan. You call yourself a Muslim and you place a bomb to where people >> worship the Almighty Allah during the Month of Ramadan; or detonate bomb in >> a market where people will buy food for fast breaking during the Holy >> Month. >> >> “Let’s ask ourselves what kind of Muslims are those people? Shariah >> [Islamic law] itself stated that if the law caught someone that is to be >> killed, if Ramadan comes that person should not be killed. But those people >> said God is mistaken and that they should kill more people in the Holy Month >> of Ramadan. “What is even more painful is that if they [so-called jihadists] >> detonate bomb, they yell “Allahu Akbar” [Allah is great]. That kind of >> religion will never be accepted in this country as far as I am the president >> because the Holy Qur’an has made things clear that there is no compulsion to >> religion. Just do your religion and let others do theirs.” Commenting on the >> female category of competition, the president thanked all the female >> participants, assuring them that they are not losers despite the fact that >> they did not emerge victorious. He equally challenged them to redouble their >> efforts. He also commended all those who participated in the successful >> implementation of the competition. >> >> Speaking earlier, the minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and >> Technology, Dr Mariam Sarr-Ceesay, described the day as one of thanksgiving, >> while using the opportunity to implore Muslims to be steadfast in upholding >> their religion. The Higher Education minister, while commenting on the >> importance of women in the religion, enjoined Muslims to be grateful that >> they are the faithful of the Islamic religion, that they have Qur’an as >> their Holy Book and that they have Prophet Muhammed [PBUH] as their >> messenger from Allah. She also hailed President Jammeh for the noble >> initiative. >> >> The members of the GSIC expressed gratitude to the Gambian leader for the >> initiative, which they said would go a long way in the propagation of Islam >> in the country. GSIC prexy, Imam Momodou Lamin Touray; its secretary >> general, Dr Mbaye Kah; Imam Abdoulie Fatty and Ebrahim Jarju all heaped >> praises on President Jammeh for championing such a noble and rewarding >> initiative. They assured him of the Council’s commitment and resolve to live >> up to its core responsibilities of safeguarding and managing the affairs of >> the Islamic religion in the country. >> >> Mariam Yahya Darboe, the second winner who delivered her vote of thanks in >> Arabic and translated into the local language, hailed President Jammeh for >> being a sympathetic and caring leader. She commended him on behalf of her >> fellow contestants for the initiative, further describing him as a leader >> who is ambitious and always thinks of a good future. >> Author: *by Hatab Fadera* >> >> -- >> * >> >> ***************************************************************************** >> GOD BLESS THE GAMBIA. >> LET US JOIN HANDS AND SUPPORT SHEIKH PROFESSOR DR. ALH YAHYA JAMMEH >> (NASIRU DEEN) TO BUILD OUR COUNTRY. * >> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To >> unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web >> interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html >> >> To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: >> http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the >> List Management, please send an e-mail to: >> [log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ >> > > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To > unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web > interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html > > To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: > http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the > List Management, please send an e-mail to: > [log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > -- www.suntoumana.blogspot.com ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤