Yero, thanks for your response. Yes, anytime a loved one is not allowed to be seen by these people you know they are doing harm to the person the reason why they do not want folks to see the damage they are doing or have done. My questions were not to you personally, nor were they for diasporans. Those questions were directed at those on the ground, especially those that wear the cloak of holier than thou. Folks in that country pride themselves as more pious than pious. Now, how come the person that led them every day is nabbed and everyone is about their business but the business of their Imam? Is this another one of those Allah knows best? It is the hypocrisy of our people that I was questioning. I am not a muslim but common sense tells me if my Imam is nabbed by a criminal and we all know what could happen to him, the congregation of the faithful should rise up and that nonsense will be nabbed at the bud. Can you do that in Senegal and that government survive a day (not the case of Bethou, he was accessory to murder)? No. And so we run around show casing our piety, but can never see nor hear evil. Transitioning from the Imams and their congregation to the Clergy. Where is their faith? Most of these guys grew up and ran the streets with Imam Leigh in socialization circles aback in the day and they know what is happening to him is wrong and should speak up. Their silence speaks volume. Where is their faith? I see them organize this and that interfaith dialogue and where it counts the most - caring for your fellow human you see no evil and hear no evil. This is where I am headed Yero. You will agree with me that those that can put an end to this injustice right now as I write are minutes away from Mile Two. Now, if you believe it is more effective from five thousand miles outside I cannot argue over that. Diasporans have been doing doing what they can do for their country the last fifteen years, yet, folks are murdered, tortured, nabbed, shot at, etc. That abuse will never stop for the action that needs to stop it is right there and as long as they claim that "Human Rights and Civil Rights" dont feed them, it will be business as usual. Yesterday it was Chief Manneh and others, today it is Imam Leigh, tomorrow might be a relative, brother, or sister near you.
As to your indirect reference to Amadou, I believe you know what needs to be done. None is stopping nor can we stop anyone from standing up. We some of us are demanding is that before any shrub stands up to want to lead us, they first have to explain their actions and I do not have to bore folks with that track record. If you say you are neutral and do not belong to any group, how come I am not reading any where, where you wrote to Amadou to tell him the basics of common sense - that after he sold his soul, the right thing to do is to fess up first and before he tells us about how Yaya (not that there is new science in that anyway) is, we need to know about him first. But to be an opportunist and took off only to run back still an opportunist and have the nerve to think that you should be seen as someone's leader is the height of arrogance. If you are not here to lead anyone, then why do you want to be our face? Why take such a face that Yaya discarded to fight Yaya and expect to be taken seriously? Now, Amadou being part of CCG what has that to do with folks that are nabbed in Gambia? He was there when folks were being murdered and nothing happened. So, he being in Atlanta or Dakar makes no difference. Seriously, we need to stop this messiah syndrome. This is why we have our share of dictators in Africa because for some reason we always think that one person is it and without him the end is near. Reminds me when Jawara set the scheme to entrap his suspects by announcing his retirement. Legend has it that many a Alaghi lost their Kala for rolling on the ground, "Nore Paabi, Dun Kor Have" in a trance. We have far too many credible folks to choose from, why should we dumb down our standards? Why? Apparently all those that came here to tell us this is not about leadership were not either in the know, or were being deceptive. For, Matthew spelt out that Amadou will lead us whether we like it or not. If any is going to lend their name or integrity to something, be very mindful that it is something that is worth it. Your integrity is all you have and without it all is lost.
"Joe, we are all citizens. Let us make the best out of these forums with a view for scrutiny, accountability, and points taking rather than having to see any debate get flamed by unnecessary venoms."
Yero, what do you mean by the above? It appears you are speaking about those that do not agree with your position, no? So, can you please clarify for me who these people are and we can discuss further.
Regards,
Joe
From:
[log in to unmask]To:
[log in to unmask];
[log in to unmask]Subject: [>-<] RE: [G_L] Imam Baba Leigh: The Compassionate Letter
Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2012 21:08:02 -0600
Joe:
These are
genuine questions and thanks for your rejoinders as always. Before getting into it, it might interest you to hear some
live updates about the Imam. Minnesota civil rights group just concluded its
meeting about three (3) hours ago. It was purposely conducted to see what
action Gambians and their friends can take. We also had a conference call with
a prominent family member of the arrested Imam (Baba Leigh) in the Gambia on
the phone. From his updates, the Imam is still kept incommunicado. No one is
allowed to see him. Now that leaves a lot of speculations about his fate. I
don't trust this administration and their track record as I keep crying is very
dirty. We certainly came up with certain actionable items. We are happy to put
that to action in conjunction with what other groups are doing in different
states of the US.
Joe, you
asked about the whereabouts of these special class people if you like.
Personally, as an ordinary citizen who doesn't belong to any class, I worry
more about what is within my reach and power that I can extend sincerely to our
nation and its people especially the oppressed and suffering masses. Belonging
to former US President JFK's school of thought, thus "ask not what your
country can do for you; but what you can do for your country." What I am
trying to say Joe is the fact that we must certainly realize by now that some
of these folks you are asking for do not have the same thoughts or believes
that you and I have. You do not expect that they will fight the fight you
expect them to fight. I am sorry but I thought that you know more than that. That
is level I am at.
Joe, where
this now leads us to: Do you see it genuine then to welcome those that are
ready to fight with us? I am not looking for anyone to confuse my points as it
is so common for anyone to just get away with any little part to fume these
forums or to make certain people the supporters of those who once worked with
Jawara or Jammeh. Clearly, I do not belong to any group. I am an independent
person and for the most part while stance is different but again it doesn’t
mean I am holding brief. Needless to mention, I am equally disappointment
lately of some of the tendencies I saw from many people I held so high in this
struggle of ours, especially with the defensive nature leading to even getting
dirty in this debate. I will be the last person to discourage anyone from
debating so again the whole issue is not about not wanting to see people being “scrutinized”
and “accounted”. I see some of the problems being pointed out on the other
side, but I keep asking, what prescription do we have for a sick person
already? I would expect a doctor will heal the sick rather than sitting there
blaming him for eating dirty germs that made him sick or having sex with
another person that transmitted HIV AIDS to him.
Joe, I have
a dream that our winning formula against tyranny is unity, compromise, fighting
together, and letting some of things come later. If we fail to do this, we must
be ready for the long hours of oppression ahead. We must design a winning
formula. I am calling for rewarding criminals but I am asking for a system
where we can all unite to fight the common enemy and such a system must not
marginalize anyone.
In the end,
some of the folks' whereabouts you are asking might not be far from our reach
but if we continue to be intolerant and not welcoming like some of the threatening
tendencies I have seen, I am afraid, you and I might be lonely fighters because
I don't know about any other person, but personally this is life and death for
me. I will fight in secrete and I will fight in the open. I will not worry
about who is folding their hands though again it touches my emotions but like
the many who wants to do their little, I will do it with them.
Joe, we are
all citizens. Let us make the best out of these forums with a view for scrutiny,
accountability, and points taking rather than having to see any debate get
flamed by unnecessary venoms.
I
understand that you are in Mauritania. I tried calling your magic jack number
to no success. I appreciate your steadfastness and being there for the struggle for the longest. My best of regards to your entire family and I wish you a
holiday full of love and blessings.
Best
regards,
Yero
Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2012 17:46:41 -0600
From:
[log in to unmask]Subject: Re: [G_L] Imam Baba Leigh: The Compassionate Letter
To:
[log in to unmask]
Yero, the larger question around this saga is where are "the faithful", - his congregation? What do they believe in? If an Imam's rights are being trampled upon with not a muscle twitching, what chance does the ordinary Gambian without a following have? Under such circumstances, what does their core belief inform? Where are his fellow Imams, his counterparts in the Church, etc., forget the average Joe for a second? What do they believe in? Their actions speak volumes. So, what do our people believe in? Daily bread I suppose!
Joe
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:52:26 -0600
From:
[log in to unmask]Subject: [G_L] Imam Baba Leigh: The Compassionate Letter
To:
[log in to unmask]
Imam Baba Leigh: The Compassionate Letter
Folks,
I am personally glad to see many continuing to add their voices on Imam Baba Leigh. As of yesterday, a friend updated me that the Imam is hospitalized and families/friends are not allowed to see him. It is suspicious to say the least. While we have heard conflicting theories about him being tortured or not, I am getting more worried about the Imam's fate. I don't trust Jammeh and his terror administration. That is not because I despise them. It is because their track record is what I go by. Moreover, a citizen arrested and kept incomminicadoo without being charged within the constitution's stipulation is a serious violation of his right. That is torture in no small way. The Gambia has come to live under a horrible nightmare and it is time for all citizens to make their voices heard by which ever means available to them.
Please pass around this letter from Habib and you can possibly inspire thousand others.
Best regards,
Yero
$B!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!"!" (B
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