President Jammeh’s Aunt Passes away

Professor Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, president of the Republic of The Gambia, was among many moaners, last Sunday December 28, at his home village of Kanilai, where Quranic recitations were been held for the late  Aja Fatou Jammeh, a dearest aunt of the Gambian leader.

She passed away after  suffering from a long illness. The news of Aja Fatou Jammeh’s death came as a shock to many as she was seen as a role model and a woman of dignity and respect. A high powered government delegation including the vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, secretaries of state, Chief Justice Abdou Karim Savage, National Assembly members, security chiefs, the Taiwanese ambassador Richard Shih, and a host of other dignitaries – governors, Alkalolu as well as Imams.

All of them converged at the president’s home in Kanilai, not only to pay their last respects to the departed soul, the late Aja Fatou Jammeh, but also to sympathise with the president of the Republic, and the Jammeh and Sanyang families on the lost of their aunt, mother and grandmother.

The Holy Quran was first recited before prayers were offered for the deceased; prayers were led by Alhagie Abdoulie Fatty, Imam of State House mosque. Speaking on the occasion, Professor Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, conveyed sincere gratitude to Vice President Njie-Saidy and the entire delegation, the people and government of Taiwan, through their ambassador, and all those present at the ceremony, and all those who might have intended to be in Kanilai but could not be there for some reason.

The Gambian leader described the loss of his aunt as Allah’s decision; something he said no one can do anything about. All we can do, he said, is to pray for the departed soul to rest in perfect peace. According to President Jammeh, the late Aja Fatou Jammeh was the closest individual to him in the Jammeh family, and that she had taken his father’s role, since the president’s father passed away.

Professor Jammeh revealed that the late Aja Fatou Jammeh had been a great source of inspiration to him and his family, adding that she was the only person he would rely on to make peace between him [president Jammeh] and anybody he had had problem with in the family. "She has been sick for a very long time; even before I started treatment."  "In 2006,"

President Jammeh narrated, "I called her here (in Kanilai) and treated her and she went back to her husband.  Early this year, I realised that she was sick again. If it was something that could be treated by Western medication, then I would have taken her to any country for treatment. She had known that her time had been up for a long time. It is Allah’s decision," President Jammeh sought to thank all those who sympathised with them, praying to the Almighty Allah to abundantly reward all.

He finally prayed for the children of the late Aja Fatou Jammeh and advised them to follow the footstep of their late mother. For her part, Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice president and secretary of state for women’s affairs, on behalf of the government delegation, extended their condolences to His Excellency the President, and the Jammeh and Sanyang families, on the demise of their aunt, mother and grandmother. Echoing the president’s earlier statement, VP Njie-Saidy described the sad moment as God’s decision and prayed for the departed soul to rest in perfect peace.

Ismaila Sambou, secretary of state for local government, lands and religious affairs, said the delegation came to Kanilai to show solidarity to president Jammeh and the bereaved family. He joined other people in praying for the soul of the departed to rest in peace.

Muhammed Lamin Touray, president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, on behalf of his council and the state house mosque committee, extended condolences to the president and the bereaved families. He cited a verse in the Holy Qur’an, saying that God created life and death, and that death is inevitable. The supreme Islamic council boss used the opportunity to call   on Muslims to be steadfast in Islam. He also prayed for the departed soul.

Ousman Sanyang, a relative to the deceased, Aja Fatou Jammeh, thanked all those who came to sympathise with them, while Alhagie Mustapha Jallow, Imam of Kanilai mosque, reminded the gathering that no living being can possibly escape death. He also called on all Muslims to practice the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him).

The late Aja Fatou Jammeh who died on Saturday at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH), the country’s main referral centre, was laid to rest the same day, in Kanilai.