State House celebrates Prophet’s birthday

Rabi-u-awal, is the month in which the prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBH), was born, and, as tradition demands, Muslims the world over commemorate this day every year.

It is in this light that hundreds of worshipers converged on the grounds of State House in Banjul, last Friday night, amid praying and preaching.

The occasion, moderated by the Imam of State House Mosque, Alhaji Abdoulie Fatty, was organised by the President Jammeh Mosque Committee, under the auspices of Sgt Ba-Sainey Camara, the Amir of the State House Mosque Committee.

The ceremony, which was presided over by President Yahya Jammeh, the founder and chairman of the mosque committee, was also attended by the vice-president, the speaker of the National Assembly, secretaries of state, among other dignitaries, and it was punctuated by recitations from the Holy Qur’an, Zikr by various ‘Daira’ groups, as sermons were delivered, simultaneouslly.

Accordingly, venerable religious personalities like Fatoumatta Nyang, Muhammed Lamin Kalifa Sillah, Imam Dr Mbye Kebba Kah and Aramatoulie Alieu Sanyang were at hand with preachings on different topic that centered on the greatness of Islam as a religion and the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

In his opening remarks Ismaila Sambou, the secretary of state for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, called on Muslims to unite, tolerant to each other and peaceful, as prescribed by Islam. He also called on all to be steadfast in their deeds and follow the good steps of the Gambian leader.

SoS Sambou commended the organisers of the event for a good job.
A female religious preacher, Fatoumata Nyang, explored the importance of marriage – the rights and responsibilities of marriage couples, as dictated by the Islam. She said Islam has set down mutual rights and obligation of marriage couples in terms of executing and performing their individual rights and obligations. Mrs Nyang quoted several authorities in putting forward her points with a balance in the position of the both roles of a husband and a wife. She related this to the amicable marriage between the Prophet and his wife, Isha.

Muhammed Almamy Kalifa Sillah dwelled on the significance of labour. He said that there was dignity in labour, and that the Holy Book “teaches us that we should work and make living out of our labour” and not to engage in filthy activities.

Dr Mbye Kebba Kah, the secretary general of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, who is also a deputy Imam at the State House, touched on the lives and times of the companions of the Prophet (PBH), and their unflinching loyalty to him and the religion, calling on Muslims to follow the steps of the Prophet’s companion. He mentioned Alieu, the son-in-law of the Prophet, Hamza and Bilal, as examples among the foremost faithful followers of the Prophet (PBH).

Modou Lamin Touray, the president of the Supreme Islamic Council, extended gratutude to President Jammeh for ensuring that Islam gets the attention it deserves in the country.
Another speaker, Aramatoulie Alieu Sanyang, touched on the behaviour of a Muslim woman, as prescribed by the teachings of Islam.

The ‘Gamo’ finally came to an end shortly before dawn prayers, but not until the worshippers had offered prayers for The Gambia, the president and the entire people of the country, for the continued prevalence of peace and stability.

Other speakers at the occasion included Alhaji Cherno Alieu Mass Kah, who delivered the closing remarks, and Sgt Ba Sainey Camara.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Imam Alhaji Mbemba Ceesay.