Yunusa, That was good one but you've made one HUGE mistake! You failed to tell the list how you use to hide your crabby face in the house all day during Ramadhan, hoping that you can conserve your calories. I hope all the Bahs, Jolas, Sarrahules and Serrers will give their wives a little break from the kitchen this time. Have a great Ramadhan with blessings and forgiveness from the Almighty. Abdoulie A. Jallow "If you will tell me why the fen appears impassable, I then will tell you why I think that I can get across it if I try." I May, I Might I Must - by Marianne Moore -----Original Message----- From: Yunusa Bah <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thursday, December 09, 1999 6:13 AM Subject: Ramadaan - Reflections & Stocktaking G-L, I would like to wish all of you a happy & blessed Ramadhan. As we usually say "Baalalenma akha", "Ali Hako boyen nye", "Ngache hakke", "Jarlodeh njafodeh". I'm sure we have all wronged each other during the past year knowingly or otherwise. Please let's use the Ramadhan spirit to apologise to those we have wronged and forgive those who have wronged us. Let's also pause for a minute, look inwards to ousrselves personally and take stock of our past mistakes and wrongs to our partners(wife/wives or husband), family, our employees, junior staff, neighbours, funds/departments/ministries/companies and states entrusted to us. Let's ask ourselves the following questions and answer them truthfully. Have I discharged my duties properly as a husband, wife, father, son, daughter? Have I been a nuisance to my neighbours, co-workers? Have I tarnished anybody's image? Have I mismanged funds entrusted to me? Have I used my powers as head of the family, as village head, company manager,....., government minister, head of state to victimise people who do not share the same views with me? Did I cheat anybody in a business deal? Have I lied to save my job, position therby putting others in embarrasing situations? As a leader, am i treating everyone equally? I am sure if we continue the list and then tally the results, we would have judged ourselves and then try to map out a strategy to rectify our failures and maintain our strong areas. These are things we all have. We seem to get offended though when they are pointed by someone else, but if only we care to take stock of ourselves individually, we don't get offended when someone says we are weak here or there. Have a joyful Ramadhan. The Jallows, Jolas, Sarahules and Serres on this list, please try this time around. Shelf the excuses. Regards Yunusa Bah