Saiks, thanks for your posting. You see, what happened in Nigeria is not
unique to Nigerians alone, but could potentially happen to our very own tiny
cord (Gambia). We've exhausted the ethnicity card and have seen the
potential in the religious card. Before you know it, there is fire every
where. Among the benefits of being led by the Village Idiot, is that the
hidden side of zealots and bigots will surely surface. These religious
leaders did not just acquire this aspiration, rather, it is something that
they have been sitting on, waiting for the right opportunity. The Village
Idiot is that opportunity. Just like the student massacre, they start with
rhetoric and then culminate with the execution. We heard the calls. What
side of the fence are we on? Because the next step will be the actual
flames.
Are you your brother's keeper? If so, speak up or froever hold your peace.
Chi Jaama
Joe Sambou
>From: Saikou Samateh <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: The Sharia Debate Continues
>Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 14:51:41 -0000
>
> 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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