Suntou, I totally agree with you that the Gambia is a secular state, but what does secularism has to do with fighting injustice in our society? A secular state is a state or country that is officially neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any particular religious beliefs or practices, and does not discriminate citizens on the basis of religion. The Gambia Constitution makes a clear separation between religion and state.
Notwithstanding, a magnificent Mosque is located in the Statehouse of the Gambia, the compound that belongs to every Gambian, irrespective of religious belief or practice. Everyday, Muslims congregates inside the Statehouse Mosque and offer their five daily prayers, and on Fridays, the sermon delivered by the Statehouse Imam is broadcasted over the National media. To some that might be considered neutral, but to me, it is not. Does it mean that when we have a Christian at the helm, he or she has to build a Church in the statehouse? How about a Jew, a Buddhist, an Atheist? Then the statehouse would be a display of Houses of Worship. Therefore, secularism has no relevant to my call for religious leaders to stand up to their responsibility to God and their own sons and daughters.
I disagree with you that Imams do not have a following and that their voice would not be heard. You must understand that Imams do not appoint themselves; they are appointed by their followers based on certain criteria, such as knowledge ability, morality, and other social phenomena. Furthermore, by the virtue of their position, Imams occupy a prestigious social class in our society, which further strengthen their influence. I don’t know about you, I believe that every Imam in the Gambia has a larger following than I, but that does not prevent me from voicing out my concerns about the status quo. Sociologists would tell you that society comprises of social structures and institutions that distribute duties, rights, and benefits accrued through social cooperation like a state or country. In the Gambia, religious leaders and their followers like the workers union, and many others social institutions are a part and parcel of the society and each one can flex their muscles
when the need and desire arises.
I also disagree with you that “We are secular in all our dealings, for that matter religion is a backbuner.” Are WE really “secular in all our dealings?” I think “all our dealing” are conceived, designed, and implemented without “our” participation, under the cover of darkness, and mostly not for our interest. Therefore, “We are secular in all our dealings” is just a mere fantasy. Back to the point, how can religion be a backburner in the Gambia when 99 percent of the citizens are denominational, 90 percent Muslims and 9 percent Christians? Throughout history, religion has always been a factor and it cannot suddenly be a non-factor in the Gambian matters. Contrary to your view, religion is not a private matter in the Gambia; it is indeed a public matter. It (religion) is present everywhere in our lives. Do you know the reason why state offices close early on Fridays? How much the country forgoes as the offices close early on Fridays?
If religion had always been a backburner, then the blacks in America could still be segregated and enslaved by their white oppressors. Dr King was a mister of the Church, a large majority of his followers were also Christians, and most of their arguments against injustice were quoted from the bible and the US Constitution. Archbishop Edmond Tutu of South Africa had contributed significantly to the Apartheid struggle by using the bible as his guide? Why can the religious leaders in the Gambia voice out their concerns like everyone did before them.
I am not trying to be a religious fanatic or extremist, but only trying to make you understand that religious leaders (Imam) in the Gambia possess the ability and moral obligation to put a stop to blatant and indiscriminate abuse of rights. I do not intent to extend my religion or belief on anyone, and in the same vein, I do not want anyone to extend their religion or belief on me.
From your response, you seem to imply that religious scholars are not as smart as their western educated counterparts. I hope you meant the opposite, because that would amount to a serious insult to our learned Islamic scholars. You wrote, “… religion scholars are for the less intelligent folks and the poor but phylosophers are for the intelligent and the rich, because phylosophers talk in intellectual language. I think this statement is dishonest in all respects and you should apologize to our learned scholars of Islam. It seem to me that you are very ignorant as to how much Religion has contributed to our modern societies. Don’t you know that Islamic scholars invented the zero, established the first library in Bagdad, first to perform cataract surgery, first to have hospitals, and many others? Yes, religion is a double edged sword, but it has contributed significantly in the development mankind.
You went further and wrote, “Brother muhammad take a look at the average Gambian wetsern educated person and put him on the spot to answer some basic Islamic doctrines, he/she may struggle with the very foundation in understanding simple rules.” Are you for real? The above quote does not apply to me as well as many other Gambians, who are steadfast believers. You have all the rights to say YOU would not be able to answer some basic questions about Islam, but you do not have the right to talk on my behalf in this matter.
Your last sentence is even more interesting. You wrote, “religion can play a big role in reducing the rate of suffering, but we don't know how to use it, we use the system we are familiar with SECULAR SYSTEM, MAY BE ONE DAY THAT WILL WORK .May God help us.” I totally agree when you say “religion can play a big role in reducing the rate of suffering,” but I disagree when you added “but we don’t know how to use it.” How do you know? Religions have transformed lives all over the world, why not Gambia? I still wonder where this SECULAR SYSTEM is coming from, because no one is advocated for any change. All am asking is for the religious leader to talk about the injustices in our society, so that the issue comes to center stage, and only then can we make a head way in our struggle. Changes must always emanate form within for it to be sustainable and beneficial to all.
Finally you ended the response by asking for God’s help. Do you really mean to ask help from God, or just a way to end your write up? Because it would seem double-standard to castigate the disciples of God as unintelligent and moments later you are asking help from Him.
You might want to check you words before you send them online. We are talking about big issues here. Some of our brothers and sisters are gone never to return, some are confined to the filthy, mosquito invested tiny cells in Mile II and NIA, some bore scars of torture on their skins, some women go to bed each night without their husbands, some children have never walked with their fathers or even seen them, many are in exile. You may wonder what crime they commit. And you would be surprise they did nothing, but just being at a wrong place at a wrong time.
Since you were quick to condemn my call to the religious leaders, I hope you have an actionable strategy to help free our brothers and our country.
Thank you
Muhammed Lamin Touray
Suntou Touray <[log in to unmask]> wrote: brother muhammad , this is a very useful reminder to all who are interested in
being reminded.
but with all the goodness in your forward and opinion ,the Gambia is a secular
state and for that matter religion be it islam or christian is a private issue.
there are some scholars like Bakasou Fofana who did a very good lecture on
the respect of human rights and the trementdious work load our women are
under taking.
he admonish that we as Gambian should learn fast from what happen in
neigbouring countries eg ,sierra leon. liberia ,bissau and even cassamace. this
is as result of the silence marjority . but if an imam stood up now to comdenm
yahya ,who will be his supporter ? every voice need a listener and a
backer .we are secular in all our dealings ,for that matter religion is a
backbuner .from our intellectuals to the ordinary civil servants ,we care less
what happen after life. may be the sayings of max have affected us. he said ''
religion scholars are for the less intelligent folks and the poor but phylosophers
are for the intelligent and the rich ,because phylosophers talk in intellectual
language. '' we resent religious talking people, we term them as some moralist
who may even be a hypocret .
scholars can strive to stand the worldly leaders but they most first see
that,they will be supported and in our case ,just like the case of the men in
the media ,we will abandon them .
brother muhammad take a look at the average Gambian wetsern educated
person and put him on the spot to answer some basic islamic
doctrines ,he/she may struggle with the very foundation in understanding
simple rules. when we attend weddings ,naming ceremonies ,burials etc we
pass on the responsilities to the socall arabic scholars .what about us ? we
think ,well it is for them ,it is their job .we are all equal in the eye of God .the
worldly things ,we never pass that on ,we take charge.religion can play a big
role in reducing the rate of suffering ,but we don't know how to use it ,we use
the system we are familiar with SECULAR SYSTEM ,MAY BE ONE DAY THAT
WILL WORK .May God help us.
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