Friday, January 26, 2001
RELIGIOUS LEADERS
TACKLE JUWARA
Some Islamic leaders in the Greater Banjul Area have
reacted to
plans disclosed by the UDP national mobiliser, Lamin Waa
Juwara, to launch a campaign against the introduction of
shariah
in The Gambia. In his reaction, the vice president of the
Supreme
Islamic Council, Alhaji Ousman Jah, said, "Juwara is free
to
express his intentions but what he should have said was
that any
law different from shariah cannot work in The Gambia. The
saying
that shariah cannot work in The Gambia should not be heard
by
an ear. This is basically because Muslims are not expected
to be
governed by any law other than shariah. Every true Muslim
should welcome shariah if his faith should not be
questioned," he
said. Mr Jah said he respected the secularity of the
Gambian state
but noted, "If the greater percentage of Gambians, who are
of
course Muslims, call for the introduction of shariah
without much
noise, then it would be very fair to introduce it.
The lesser percentage can be patient, the law is called by
the
majority." He added that Juwara's proposed campaign against
shariah "does not mean that shariah cannot or will not be
introduced in The Gambia. Juwara is just one person
expressing
his views which do not have any impact on the chances of
shariah
being introduced here. If someone somewhere says he will
see to
it that shariah is not introduced here, it won't be a new
thing
because the challenge against shariah started since the
days of
the holy prophet, Muhammad." He urged "all Muslims" to make
efforts to ensure that shariah is included in the criminal
code of
The Gambia, saying, "shariah is the best law for mankind
and the
universe."
Mr Jah also rebutted Juwara's claim that the introduction
of
shariah will tantamount to permanently denying Christians
the
right of leadership in The Gambia. "Has the existing
secular laws
posed similar situations to the predominant Muslim
community?"
he demanded to know. Cadi Khan The cadi of the Kanifing
Islamic
court, Muhammad Lamin Khan, in his reaction, said the fight
against shariah by 'Muslims' was predicted by the holy
prophet,
Muhammad, as an act replete in the last generation. "There
are
people who call themselves 'Muslims', bear Muslim names and
perform the five daily prayers but remain opposed to
shariah. This
was what Prophet Muhammad foretold. Anyone who understands
shariah will not oppose its introduction in The Gambia.
Shariah protects life and property and enjoins one against
depriving others of property, as well as any other sinful
deed.
Anyone who knows shariah well will be eager for its
introduction,'
the cadi said. On Juwara's assertion that shariah will
bring about a
theocracy that will mix Islam with politics and turn imams
into
politicians, Cadi Khan said, "Shariah recognises politics
although
not politics of attacking one another or telling lies.
The actions of functions of an imam are in fact political,
since he
preaches on what goes on in society to bring peace." The
cadi
says the laws of a secular system are made by man while
shariah
emanates from God. "God will not impose on man anything
that
will not help or suit him, not to talk of bringing him any
problem.
Whether man understands and accepts it or not, God's
enjoinment
will not in any way be harmful if not helpful," he said.
Cadi Khan said, "When the anti-shariah campaign by Juwara
or
any other person comes into effect, we will leave
everything in
hands of God." He gave the parable of the infidels who
wanted to
demolish the Kabba in Mecca. "The custodian of the Kabba
told
them, 'the Lord of the Holy Shrine will protect His house.'
God is
the owner of shariah and we will leave any opponent of
shariah to
be dealt with by God," he concluded.
Sheikh Gibril Kujabi Sheikh Gibril Kujabi, an erudite
scholar at
Tallinding Islamic Institute, explained that "Islam
recognises
politics. Islam does not advise Muslims to shun politics.
Politics
means a demonstration of one's own ideas for people to see
and
accept. That is not condemned by Islam. So, when religious
leaders enter into such contracts with the people, they are
not
condemned as far as Islam is concerned.
We are politicians but not politicians aiming at worldly
gains," he
said. On Juwara's expressed concern on how democracy can
thrive in a shariah state, Sheikh Gibril said, "Shariah,
when
introduced, will not say that Mr X or Mr Y will be the
president.
Shariah will ensure that the people are governed by law,
irrespective of the faith of the leader as is the case with
Obasanjo
and Nigeria. So, to say that shariah will deny Christians
the right
to leadership in The Gambia is without much merit." He said
Juwara's proposed anti-shariah campaign will tantamount to
"a
jihad against Allah."
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