Hi Everyone, I think the Imaam is performing his religious duty. Like the Pope and other religious leaders do all the time, there is no way in which he can condone the sort of family planning that is being advocated. The jury is still out as to whether or not the contraceptive experiment has succeeded. Girls as young as 11 or 12 are still getting pregnant in countries where contraceptives should have prevented this from happening, and plans are underway to make contraceptives freely available to this age-group in Britain, no questions asked. Contraceptives are also not without side effects. The 'pill scare' a couple of years ago, showed that even within the scientific community, there is disagreement ragarding the safety of the pill. I remember the pharmaceutical industry had to pay Canadian Professor Spitzer ( or something like that) to fly round the world assuring people that the pill was safe and that the conclusions of his research were misintepreted, by British and other scientists. So the pill is not risk-free. Whatever people decide to do with themselves, it is up to them, but religious religious leaders are right to preach what is in the Holy Books. Instead of making contraceptives freely available, there should be more education about sexual matters. Cheers. Momodou >> **************** l have to say that l agree with Momodou's point here. The Imam has to teach what is in the holy books, just like other religious leaders do every day.They either please Allah and deliver his message, even though this may not be what everyone wants to hear, or they just restrict themselves to what is pleasing to hear, even if it goes against the religious teachings.If they choose to do the latter, they might as well describe themselves as something else, other than religious leaders. Now, l do not agree that the pill is the cause of prostitution. Prostitution in our society is a result of poverty, lack of self respect and self esteem period. Yes, it takes two to tango as they say, but one can say no, and then two will have to go tango somewhere else.Contraception can be practiced using various methods. Personally, l have never trusted the pill after l read the accompanying literature listing the possible side effects. On the issue of the Ahmadiyyas, they are a sect that are considered to be deviant from the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the directives and example of the Prophet, who, after all, was the one who brought us the message of this deen.For example, their leader makes some claims that are directly opposed to quranic teachings regarding the Mahdi, and subsequent prophets after Muhammed bin Adullah (SAS) who is the seal of the prophets.That is a serious issue indeed. l think it is nice that the Ahmadiyyas have built hospitals and schools etc, but it will not, and should not prevent the truth being told about their deviant beliefs.l believe those of us who practice this religion appreciate and understand the importance of warning our fellow believers, infact, it is incumbent upon us as muslims.If this is the case, then let us cease to make any criticisms of colonialism, nor should we have fought for independence from the same since our colonizers built schools and hospitals. The real problem is that our so-called leaders are pitiful and have been so since independence, and this has resulted in poverty, lack of jobs and basic facilities that should have been our first priority all along. Consequently, we have developed this beggar mentality, such that anyone who comes along and builds these facilities that we should have provided for ourselves in the first place, is viewed as a saviour of some sort, no matter what the package comes with. The Ahmadiyyas can do what they please, but any Imam who is aware of what they innovate in Islam and does not speak up against it, is not only a hypocrite infront of Allah (SWT), but would not be doing their job of providing guidance. This is not a popular subject, but it is an important subject that needs to be addressed so that at least, the people are aware of it.Religious tolerance does not mean that one has to abandon the task of educating and enlightening their fellow muslims, Christians or whatever sect one happens to follow, in the do's and don'ts of their religion.l suggest that those who are not familiar with the teachings of Islam regarding innovation, should do the research, study the Qur'an and the hadith of the Prophet (SAS), and and the literature pertaining to purity in worship, which is the backbone of Islam. Then, study the origins and some of the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya movement. l am afraid this one is not a political argument. Jabou Joh ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------