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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Momodou |
Posted - 04 Aug 2014 : 16:54:20
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA
STATE HOUSE
BANJUL
3rd August 2014
EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVES TOUCHING ON MANIFESTATION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICE
Taking into consideration The Gambia belongs to all Gambians, it is deemed wise, right and relevant to address this letter to you on the recent intervention of the state in connection with the controversy surrounding the commemoration of Eid El Fitr on different days. This has even led to some arrests, detention and release on bail.
Where the legitimate exercise of executive authority begins and ends should be known to all those who wield executive power. To exceed the bounds of the guards and fences established by law for the legitimate exercise of executive authority is to plunge into the abyss of impunity and miscarriage of justice.
It is incontrovertible that the exercise of executive power and the issuing of executive directives is limited by law. Section 63 of the constitution establishes the Constitutional limits for the exercise of executive power by making it mandatory that “....a person elected president shall before assuming office take the prescribed oath” to uphold and defend the constitution.
Mr President the constitution has said with all the authority at its command that “ the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in this chapter shall be respected and upheld by the organs of the Executive and its agencies , the legislature and , where applicable to them, by all natural and legal persons in the Gambia and shall be enforceable by the courts...”
It is categorically stated in Section 25 Subsection 1(b) and (c) that “ Every person shall have the right to freedom of thought , conscience and belief and ”freedom to practice any religion and manifest such practice.”
The executive and its agents should respect and protect such rights. This is in line with long established religious teachings that there is no compulsion in religion.
The question now arises: Why should any person be arrested for manifesting religious belief in practice? This is why sects exist in religion. It is based on different interpretation of religious injunctions.
Furthermore, it is incomprehensible why contradictory directives were given to Muslims living in different parts of the country to pray or not to pray on Tuesday 2 July 2014 based on executive directive.
Section 33 Subsection 1 states that “all persons should be equal before the law.”
Subsection 2 adds that “
Subsection 4 explains what discrimination means as follows: ”
Mr President, it is evident that the country does not belong to you. Section 1 Subsection 2 of the Constitution explains who owns the country. It states with certainty that “ The sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of the Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and to whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with the constitution. “
The state has a duty not to subject the people to degrading punishment for just manifesting their beliefs in practice. Sectarian conflicts exist in places where public space is accorded to some and denied to others to manifest their beliefs in practice.
The supreme Islamic council is a nongovernmental organisation. It should seek legal advice to know the boundaries set for the exercise of its mandate. Findings reveal that it is not established by statute to make subsidiary legislation. It has to shape religious practice through persuasive influence and not through executive directives.
It should promote scholarly debates and convince believers through the profundity of the arguments of the scholars.
The role of the state is to promote inter-- faith and intra-faith dialogue to prevent and solve disputes in an amicable manner. It is not to dictate which practice is right or wrong.
This storm in the tea cup should be laid to rest. Praying on different days has been a practice since time immemorial. It has never developed into a source of conflict which threatens national security, on the contrary , it has become a source of jokes as to who would receive god’s blessing. Religious tolerance should prevail. This is what Gambia and Senegal are known for. Both states and people should maintain the legacy. This is the verdict of justice and commonsense and it is irrevocable.
Halifa Sallah
CC The Chief Justice of The Republic of The Gambia
Attorney General and Minister of Justice
President , Supreme Islamic Council
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| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kobo |
Posted - 05 Aug 2014 : 20:54:06
THE POINT NEWS REPORT ON OTHER OPPOSITION PARTY LEADERS ON THE EID PRAYERS!
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| toubab1020 |
Posted - 05 Aug 2014 : 12:41:28
Interesting to track the response to this letter.
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| kobo |
Posted - 05 Aug 2014 : 02:55:49
1. RELATED BANTABA TOPIC Praying at Mosque - Eid Prayers on "I OWN THIS COUNTRY!" YAYA JAMMEH DECLARED.
2. QUOTE OF THE DAY! quote:
"Mr President, it is evident that the country does not belong to you. Section 1 Subsection 2 of the Constitution explains who owns the country.
It states with certainty that “ The sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of the Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and to whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with the constitution. “"Halifa Sallah
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| toubab1020 |
Posted - 04 Aug 2014 : 17:24:00
What a politician making a valid and important point in writing ! 
3rd August 2014
EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVES TOUCHING ON MANIFESTATION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICE,(letter from Halifa Sallah posted by Momodou above)
"This storm in the tea cup should be laid to rest. Praying on different days has been a practice since time immemorial."
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