"And, one thing you should also do on both sides - Christians and Muslims -
is that you should confine religion to the churches and the mosques".

Oh, Mr President,

When did this final wisdom daunt on you? hmm, you are beginning to get it.

Thanks

Musa Jeng

Momodou Camara wrote:

> Jammeh Changes Tack Over Veil Palaver
>
> The Independent (Banjul)
> DOCUMENT
> August 18, 2003
> Posted to the web August 18, 2003
> Banjul
>
> Almost a month after he controversially declared that veils would not be
> worn in Christian schools by the beginning of the school calendar in
> September, President Jammeh has suddenly discovered a middle line,
> admonishing both Christians and Muslims to resort to their holy books to
> settle the thorny issue.
>
> We reproduce parts of the president's statement addressed to members of the
> Supreme Islamic Council, the Christian Council and the diplomatic corp when
> they called on him at State House recently.
>
> "You cannot force anybody to be a good Muslim or a good Christian. The love
> of God must come from the person's heart. Gambians have lived peacefully in
> this country, irrespective of their religious affiliation or inclination.
>
> Muslims, Christians and Animists have lived in this country peacefully
> throughout her history (that is, modern history or since the colonial
> period, at least).
>
> If you think that this is the time to break that peace between Christians
> and Muslims in this country, in the time of Yahya Jammeh, you are making a
> great mistake. I have seen elements of intolerance on both sides. People
> whipping up religious hatred.
>
> If you are a member of the police force serving under the Inspector
> General, I don't think you should be more policeman than the Inspector
> General himself.
>
> What I am saying is that we believe in the Supremacy of the Almighty God,
> whose Supremacy cannot be challenged. His authority cannot be challenged.
> If He has given us the liberty to choose within humanity what religion we
> want to follow, if we believe in that same God, we should understand that
> we cannot force others to follow our religion or the religion we think is
> the best. If you do that, you are challenging God and the wishes of God in
> allowing us to be free to choose whatever religion we want to belong to. It
> is stated nowhere in the Quran or the Bible, (and I'm conversant with both
> holy books).
>
> According to the Quran, you cannot be a lawyer (the advocate) for anybody
> (on the Day of Judgment or in the hereafter). Not even the Imam could stand
> up in defense of his life on this earth before God's court.
>
> You cannot even stand up and defend your children, nor can your children
> defend you. So it is an individual problem.
>
> If we want to increase the number of Muslims or to increase the number of
> Christians, you have to appeal to the people, but don't antagonize them.
> They will not join your religion, and this would be a great disservice in
> terms of doing your duty (as a preacher) before the Almighty Allah.
>
> The Veil
>
> I gave directives. It was not a decree as seen in some quarters - there is
> a difference between a decree and a directive. What I said was - let them
> permit the veil, only the veil. The reason is that I wanted to know who
> were behind wearing the veil, because it has never been an issue in our
> society.
>
> When the directives were given, and to show that they were not really
> interested in religion, but trouble making they started saying that we
> don't talk to Christians. In fact, they said that as from now we are not
> only after the veil, but women must cover up their entire bodies by the
> Hijab.
>
> A school is a school. In purely Islamic institutions, boys and girls do not
> mix. Now what is the use of the veil when you wear it and mix with boys and
> then after school you are found in discotheques and on the beach with boys
> and girls?
>
> What type of religion are you after - let us not be pretentious. You are
> either a good Muslim or a bad one. You are either a bad Christian or a good
> one. But where on earth did the Quran say you, as Muslims should not talk
> to Christians?
>
> Institutions have to be respected. A Christian school is a Christian
> school. We have to abide by the rules and regulations of that school.
>
> Because when it comes to the laws that apply in our Muslim schools, that
> is, the Madrassas or Arabic Islamic schools, you will not allow somebody to
> wear the Cross and come to the school, because you say that is not part of
> your uniform. So also, if you go to a Christian school, you are expected
> abide by the rules and regulations of that school.
>
> And, one thing you should also do on both sides - Christians and Muslims -
> is that you should confine religion to the churches and the mosques.
>
> Let us not go beyond that. Let us preach what is in the Quran and in the
> Bible, that is, peace and love for humanity irrespective of creed, religion
> and race.
>
> There have been a lot of comments and letters received. You will be asking
> why the diplomats are also here. It is so that they will also get the
> message - that this is a country that is secular, and it will remain a
> secular.
>
> If you want to be a good Muslim, be a good Muslim because at the end of the
> day, no matter how many people follow you, when you go to hell or heaven,
> you cannot defend anyone along with you, because God alone decides and
> judges based on what the individual has done.
>
> I am talking in terms of both Christians and Muslims. In God's heaven, God
> is after a good human being who has done good, who has obeyed his
> commandments, irrespective of what religion we are talking about.
>
> If you obey God's command, and do good according to the Bible and Quran and
> other holy books, you will see the Kingdom of God. Period.
>
> Intolerance would not take us anywhere, and if you are intolerant, you are
> in the wrong country because I am not going to tolerate intolerance, be it
> from the Muslims or Christians in this country.
>
> If you think that the people are not pure Muslims, pure enough for you
> leave the country, because I am not going to compromise the security and
> stability of this country.
>
> Gambians have forever lived with each other peacefully. There was a time in
> the past, if it was Christmas you will think that the whole country are
> Christian and, if it is Tobaski or Koriteh, you think that the whole
> country are Muslim. This the way it is going to stay!
>
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