>>Katim.
>>
>>I got no other alternative but to congrat you,Ebrima and all the efforts made to 
>>come with such a brilliant petition and letter on behalf of all.We need all
>>support and prayers to drive these idiots out of our sites,Job well done the 
>>struggle continous.Have a nice week folks.
>>
>>F. Samateh

Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 6:25 PM
Subject: Open letter to Gambian religious leaders
Katim wrote,

> Dear all,
> 
> The following is an open letter I drafted for us to review, suggest corrections, and
> send on to Gambian religious leaders.  As the campaigning heats up, it is becoming
> increasingly evident that violent incidents are becoming more common.  Needless to
> say, this situation can have very grave and unpredictable consequences, if unchecked.
> 
> In a conversation a few weeks ago, with a Senegalese friend about their last
> elections, she mentioned to me how much they benefited from prayers.  She also
> suggested that we should embark on a letter writing campaign to our religious leaders
> asking them to pray for peace in The Gambia during the campaigning.  I thought that
> we can write an open letter, and collect signatures online before sending the letter.
> 
> I wrote the first draft of the letter about a few days before the Sept. 11 terrorist
> attacks on the US, and shortly thereafter, we lost our connection to St. Johns.  For
> this reason, it was held back, and I never got around to updating it until over last
> weekend.  Given the time constraints we have, I'd like us to move fast on the review
> and revision process, so that we can get the letter out by this weekend.
> 
> I'd appreciate any suggestions and ideas to make the letter better.  Furthermore, I
> am thinking we should send a copy to both the Imam of the Banjul mosque, and also to
> the leaders of the churches (e.g. Anglican, Roman and Catholic)   Please let me know
> if you have any suggestions about who else we should send the letter to.  Also,
> should we send copies to the leaders of all political parties?
> 
> Once we have the final draft ready, we can start collecting signatures online, and
> send out the letter as soon as possible.  So please send in your comments as soon as
> you can so we can get the ball rolling.
> 
> Thanks in advance for your help, and best wishes.
> 
> Katim
> 
> ----------------------------------  Start of draft open
> letter -------------------------------------
> Dear Sirs/Madams,
> 
> AN APPEAL FOR PRAYERS FOR PEACE
> 
> We are writing to appeal for your prayers and help in ensuring that the coming
> presidential and National Assembly elections will be conducted in peace.  Given your
> stature and important roles as religious and spiritual leaders, you can make
> significant and positive contributions toward peaceful by educating your
> congregations about the need for tolerance and mutual respect, and leading them in
> prayers for peace in our country as we head into the elections.
> 
> We are in a period when many poor and ignorant Gambians are susceptible to the empty
> promises of politicians courting their votes.  For this reason, we would appreciate
> it greatly if you help educate your congregations and followers to be especially
> careful not to engage in deceiving people, and taking advantage of their poverty and
> ignorance.  In particular, we appeal to you to, in your sermons, remind people to be
> truthful in their campaigns.
> 
> Far too often, public figures have spoken obvious lies in public, to the detriment of
> our nation.  It is utterances like these that, if left unchecked, will ultimately
> destroy our country.  We only have to look around our neighbourhood to see what
> destruction and deprivation has been brought upon Sierra Leone, and Liberia when they
> failed to engage in frank, truthful, and constructive dialogues about their nation's
> affairs.  For this reason, you will be doing our country, and God, a great service by
> reminding your congregations that the lies that public figures tell not only destroy
> our country, but they also will have to answer to God for them.
> 
> In addition, we would like you to work with each other, and Gambian media outlets to
> organize a national campaign of prayers for peace.  Such a campaign will include
> prayers for peace in the country whenever people congregate in churches and mosques.
> The prayer campaign should include announcements in the Gambian media encouraging
> people to include in their daily prayers, prayers for peace in the country.  It would
> also help immensely to have regular, non-partisan programs on radio and TV whereby
> Gambian religious leaders can help foster an atmosphere of peace, tolerance, and
> mutual-respect in the coming campaign season, and elections.  Such programs should be
> non-partisan, and should not be used to forward the agenda of any political party, or
> candidate.
> 
> Sirs/Madams, we trust that in the coming weeks and months of the election season, you
> will, as a matter of priority, actively engage in educating your congregations about
> their obligations to our country, and to God.  Fortunately, these obligations are
> seldom in conflict, and for this reason, no Gambian will have to choose between God
> and our country in serving the best interest of the Gambian people.  Furthermore, we
> urge that you remind your congregations that the interests of our country are far
> more important that those of any person.  For this reason, people should refrain from
> starting fights, and leading the nation down the slippery slope of violence and
> destruction.
> 
> Thank you very much for your consideration, and we pray that your blessings from, and
> guidance by God as you discharge your duties.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> (signed)
> ----------------------------------  End of draft open
> letter --------------------------------------
> 
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