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