OPINION
A MESSAGE TO SUPREME ISLAMIC COUNCIL
BY YERO JALLOW
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October 9, 2005
Alhagi Banding and his councill of elders at the Supreme Islamic Council,
I salute you all in the spirit of Islam . We share a lot in common, and
therefore makes me concerned about the old tradition of ours in the
Gambia.
Over the years, we have always seen Eid celebrations being done on
different days. This can be easily arrested by utilising the new
technology at hand. In the developed Muslim countries, Muslim use
telescopes to view the crescent. This is very reliable. This is the new
technology we have at hand, and lets utilise this to the fullest.
I don't have much to debate on the laila tul qadir , since this is a night
known to only Almighty God. I hope still, we can narrow it to the point
where we can have it on the same night.
Now, lets look at the problem as it appeared to Gambians over the ages. It
is understandable that the sighting of the new crescent is the leading
factor to this problem. In cloudy weathers, one cannot expect to see the
moon by the naked eye. It is therefore very important that we adopt a new
style in both welcoming Ramadan and fare welling it, which is entirely
based on sighting the crescent. The traditional handling of the whole
situation doesn't appeal to me. Mecca is not twenty-four hours in time
difference ahead of the Gambia. Where is it centred ? Mecca's eid is
today, and ours tomorrow. That part needs a thorough examination and if
possible an ending.
Either the SIC head or the Imam head can make this linkage a duty.Radio
Gambia is still there to give Gambians Oustars BunJeng's melodious fast
breaking announcement. The SIC can use the media - be it the news papers,
the TV, Radio Gambia and all other media ways to disseminate information.
The arrival of mass cell phones is an other opportunity, which the SIC
head can use to communicate to some other imams far in the rural areas.
Whatever it takes ! Put it into a test and it will work. This is not
political arguments but if takes to make a little noise to have it across,
it is a deed worthy of doing for the sake of unity and promoting Islam. If
presidential elections, bi-elections, independence celebrations, military
birthdays and others can be done on one day, i honestly see no reason why
this goal cannot be achieved.
This is of much inconvenience. I humbly ask you to revisit the old ways,
and implement new ways of solving this problem. I am very sure Gambians
are ready to listen and follow instructions. As our Islamic leaders, it
becomes an obligation from your part that the people are served with
sermons. Islam means peace and submission, and preaches unity. It becomes
ironical that a religion that mean unity cannot convince a geographical
area inhabited by less than two million people, to have their unifying Eid
celebration in one day. Having said the above, i want to thank you all for
your utmost efforts. May Almighty God give us all a pleasant and rewarding
Ramadan, and many more to celebrate in good health and happiness.
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