State House Mosque Committee weeds farm <http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/state-house-mosque-committee-weeds-farm-1#map> Africa <http://observer.gm/africa/news> » Gambia<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/news> Thursday, August 18, 2011 Scores of volunteers from the Bainunkas Society in The Gambia and the Saro Women’s Group recently assisted members of the State House Mosque Committee to weed its eight-hectare bean farm behind Yundum Barracks. Led by the Amir of the State House Mosque Committee, WO2 Ba-Sainey Camara, the volunteers and scholars who spoke to this reporter said the work was meant to set example as religious leaders for people to live on their sweat, eat what they grow and grow what they eat. The head Imam of State House Mosque, Alhaji Abdoulie Fatty said the Committee deemed it necessary inline with the teachings of Islam to respond to President Jammeh’s back-to-the-land call. He said: “As a president, he could have said go back to the land and people will definitely heed to that, but his case is a different one. He always makes sure that he takes a leading role with all his initiatives.” He recalled there was a time when Gambians ate only the [food] crops that they produced. He said the reverse is the case now, and urged Gambians, especially the young people to embrace the back-to-the-land call. Imam Fatty also urged the private sector to invest in agriculture, noting that building infrastructure is one thing in the development of a country, but promoting agriculture is another aspect. On his part, WO2 Ba-Sainey Camara said the move was in response to the Gambian leader's call. He said that people must understand that farming is part of "our culture and must not be abandoned". He disclosed that the Committee had acquired two big farms in Yundum this year. He explained that the proceeds of both farms are usually donated to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) the Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital and others. Amir Camara further stated that the Committee used to have its own farm every year, and this also goes with expansion in their farm size. He used the opportunity to commend the Women Group of Saro at Denton Bridge and the Bainunka Society of Tallinding for coming out to help them. He also described farming as a directive of God. "Feeding on what you grow is not only a blessing but also improves the individual's health status," he said. Other speakers at the farm included Imam Mustapha Jallow, deputy Imam State House Mosque; Edrisa Jatta, president of the Bainunka Society in The Gambia, a volunteer group at the farm and Boto Keita, also a volunteer from Manjai Kunda. Author: *Musa Ndow* -- * ***************************************************************************** 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤