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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Dec 2012 : 02:47:24
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FOROYAA BURNING ISSUES NEWS;
MAAFANTA.COM NEWS WITH A GOOD COMMENTARY;
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Edited by - kobo on 28 Dec 2012 22:56:25 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jan 2013 : 02:45:12
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KIBAARO "BREAKING NEWS: MISSING MUSLIM CLERIC LOCATED";
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Momodou
Denmark
11646 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2013 : 09:35:36
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HALIFA WRITES TO SUPREME ISLAMIC COUNCIL
Re: On The Predicament Of Imam Baba Leigh
Foroyaa Burning Issues: NO. 4, 2013
I wish to take this opportunity to convey to you my concern regarding the arrest and detention of an Imam or should I say abduction and disappearance without trace, since the agents of the state have not publicly confirmed to the press that he is under the custody of the state.
The Supreme Islamic Council is established to perform the following aims and objectives:
4.1 To strive for the complete unity and brotherhood of the Muslim community as well as the immunization of the Muslims from the social vices, such as tribalism, sectarianism and regionalism.
4.2 To develop and strengthen the natural relations among the diverse groups of the people for the attainment of national unity based upon tolerance, co-operation and solidarity in the shade of peace and tranquility.
4.3 To work for harmonisation through co-ordinating the efforts of the Islamic societies, associations and organizations within the country so as to complete the role of each in the Islamic field.
4.4 To work in teaching the society about the Islamic religion, rectifying the misconceptions and fulfilling the obligation of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is bad.
4.5 To encourage the Islamic Educational Institutions and develop their curriculum which will enable them to play an effective educational role in the community.
4.6 To preserve the religious and scientific Islamic heritage of the country and to work towards its teaching and development.
4.7 To render advice and consultation with the state, associations and individuals in accordance with the teaching of the HADITH of the Prophet (S.A.W) in which he is reported to have said: “Religion is sincerity i.e. good advice”.
4.8 To encourage the teaching of the Arabic language and up-lift its standard in the country as a basic means of understanding Islam.
4.9 To help develop the spirit of social security and solidarity within the community through sympathy and given help to the needy.
4.10 To organize and protect the Muslim woman as well as encouraging her to be able to play a leading role in society.
4.11 To mobilize and gear the energy of youths towards serving the objects and interests of the community.
It is the golden rule of your Council that religion is sincerity i.e. good advice. Furthermore you have made it your aim to render advice and consultation with the state. It is also your objective to promote the spirit of Social Security and Solidarity in the Community.
It is in this spirit that it was deemed necessary to prevail on the Council to conduct an inquiry into the disappearance of Imam Baba Leigh, especially when the Committee of the Mosque he leads has publicly expressed concern that their Imam has not been with them since 3 December 2012.
We have been told by eye witnesses that the Imam was approached by two young men whom he the Imam identified as personnel of the National Intelligence Agency before he submitted to their arrest and was whisked away to his place of detention driving his own car. We have been told where the car is parked. It is rather strange that even though he should be taken to court within 72 hours or be released unconditionally or on bail, if he is under official detention, nothing of the sort has taken place.
It is this failure to officially confirm his arrest and detention which is fanning the type of information that is spreading like wild fire that he is tortured and could not be released in his present state or that he is killed.
The only way to stop such information from spreading is for the truth to be known. This is why it is absolutely essential for the Council to visit the Minister for Religious Affairs to inquire whether Imam Baba Leigh is under state custody.
If he is under state custody then you should visit the Minister of Interior to facilitate his release unconditionally or on bail depending on whether they have a case against him or not or approach the President if he is under the custody of the NIA.
If he is not under state custody then the Council should call a Press Conference to inform the concerned Muslims, in particular, and concerned human beings, in general, how matters stand. Your institution should be the conduit dealing with all matters connected to the protection of mosques, Imams and congregations.
Allow me to reiterate again that under the Republican Constitution the Gambia is a secular state which provides for the protection of the fundamental right to hold one’s belief and practice one’s faith without any restriction or interference from the state or any natural person. This is clearly stipulated under section 25 Subsection 1(b) and (c) of the Constitution. It reads
“b) Every person shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and belief ……”
c) Every person shall have the right to freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice”
Every government that comes to office should respect such fundamental rights and freedoms and should build a respectable relation with all self regulatory religious communities such as the Supreme Islamic Council to safeguard their security, integrity and welfare, in particular, and that of other natural persons, at large.
In fact, in any government that we become a part of in the future, we will provide immunities in the law for all representatives of wards and constituencies, all heads of major Mosques and Churches, Independent Electoral Commission, the Office of Ombudsman and other Human Rights Commissions so that they could be arrested only if sufficient evidence is given to a magistrate that would warrant him or her to order the person’s arrest.
As the whole world focus on the void that has been left by the absence of information on Imam Baba Leigh, the qualities you have highlighted in your Constitution as the criteria for election and appointment to the Executive Committee of the Council has convinced us to address this letter to you. The qualities are as follows:
20.1 The nominee should be knowledgeable in Islam, especially in the areas of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.
20.2 The nominee should have a considerable character and good conduct.
20.3 The nominee should be sincere and trustworthy.
20.4 The nominee should possess administrative skills and abilities.
The members of your Council are therefore expected to display sincerity and trustworthiness in protecting the mosques and Imams under your charge.
The Muslim community in particular and the Nation at large look up to your leadership in such a matter and would be profoundly inspired if you discharge your duty without fear or favour affection or ill will in the interest of truth, justice and the pursuit of the right path.
While anticipating your favourable and speedy response, please accept the assurance of my utmost respect and highest consideration in this time of national concern for a member of your venerable community of religious leaders.
Yours in the Service of the People,
Halifa Sallah
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2013 : 05:54:34
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FOROYAA BURNING ISSUES NEWS;
MAAFANTA.COM;
KIBAARO NEWS;
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Edited by - kobo on 10 Jan 2013 01:52:33 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2013 : 03:56:23
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Related topics: Re: Imam Baba Leigh
FOROYAA BURNING ISSUES NEWS;
THE ARREST OF IMAMS NOTED FROM QUOTE;
quote:
".... the arrest of Imams before such as Alhagie Karamo Touray, the Imam of the Brikama Central Mosque, Imam Alhagie Ismaila Manjang of Gunjur, Imam Alhayba Hydara former Imam of the Airport, Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana who were not charged for any crimes they have committed but later released."
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Edited by - kobo on 24 Jan 2013 06:06:13 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jan 2013 : 05:08:47
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FREEDOM NEWS;
MAAFANTA,COM;
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Edited by - kobo on 30 Jan 2013 05:33:26 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2013 : 09:19:45
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GAINAKO NEWS;
MAAFANTA.COM RELATED NEWS;
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Edited by - kobo on 01 Feb 2013 03:17:21 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2013 : 09:36:25
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FOROYAA BURNING ISSUES NEWS;
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Edited by - kobo on 15 Feb 2013 09:38:38 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 04 Mar 2013 : 12:43:10
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THE DAILY NEWS;
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Edited by - kobo on 04 Mar 2013 12:43:55 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2013 : 20:42:08
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IN SEARCH OF IMAM BABA LEIGH
Foroyaa Burning Issues News: Published on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Written by: Ousman Njie
"As journalists, security personnel and other detainees who were arrested way before Imam Baba Leigh was abducted are either released or taken to court, one must raise concern why nothing has been said about him by the state.
It is time for all those who are decent and civilized citizens to ask ourselves whether it should be possible for the state to stand idly by while a citizen of the Republic of the Gambia is reported to have been abducted from his home in front of his friends and family members and made to disappear without trace in gross violation of the letter and spirit of the constitution of his land.
The family members should at least go to the police station in his area and report that their loved one has been abducted and has left with his transport so that it would be on record.
The police would be obliged to make diligent search for the Imam starting from where his transport is parked. This is the least the family should do since family friends have excluded court action which is urgent. One must exhaust local remedies before resorting to regional or international remedies.
Sitting down to wait for merciful intervention is not an option since it has failed to serve the purpose." |
Edited by - kobo on 15 Mar 2013 01:42:29 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2013 : 08:49:47
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THE DISAPPEARANCE OF IMAM BABA LEIGH IS STILL QUESTIONED
Foroyaa News Editorial: Published on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
"Many people who are arrested by the security agents are released before the 72 hours deadline. Those who are not released have been taken to court. Imam Baba Leigh is neither released nor taken to court.
The rumours regarding his whereabouts are still difficult to contain. People try to get reassurance from Foroyaa as to whether he is still alive.
Foroyaa is unable to give any assurance on this matter. What the witnesses said is the appearance of men at his home when he was ready to have his meals, who identified themselves as security operatives and who took him under custody while allowing him to drive his car. Witnesses have also seen where the car is parked.
Imam Baba Leigh therefore could only be kept incommunicado but cannot disappear for good without someone accepting responsibility somewhere down the chain of command.
Human beings however are transient beings. Anything could happen to them. This is why it is not safe to keep them in detention for too long. Anything that happens to them during detention could be a source of alienation.
Every effort should be made to trace his whereabouts and facilitate his release accordingly." |
Edited by - kobo on 20 Mar 2013 09:15:06 |
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