| Author |
 Topic  |
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 15:21:56
|
A Gambian friend of mine is CONVINCED that one day he will convert me to be a MUSLIM. I said no way...I like my wine too much, and I wouldnt like to be wife number 3 or 4!! LOL! 
Another Gambian, when we were talking about family sizes, said they are instructed to have a large family as then Muslims will gradually take over the world. I dont think he was joking?!
WHen you think that some Gambian men produce 20 children in their life time and the AVERAGE white couple in UK now have LESS than 2 children........ over time you can see how this can happen. I thought that as Gambian people were more educated about contraception and it was more available and as the mortality rate improves, then the birth rate would decrease as it has done in other countries.
But in the poor villages they seem to think it is necessary to have a large family to please ALLAH.
When Gambians move abroad do they still have large families or do they adopted the western way for small families? I am interested in the social and religious factors that influence family size. |
 |
|
|
Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 15:49:49
|
gambiave
The lokal musques does not ask or send anybody to Pakistan or anywereelse for political tranning of anykind. These people do things without the knowledge of the Imams or their perents or friends. The only thing the Imams in the mosques cannot teach is how to be an Imam. This you have to go to university.Muslims have the same procedure as the christians in tranning of Imams. There are special institutions one has to attend or one has to be a Seikh(CHERNO. (a title that you have to study and work hard to obtain)
CHERNO is a peul(Fullah)word meaning SEIKH in arabic.
I think you have a lot to find out about Islam.There are many bookshops in Britain selling Islamic books.There you can buy cheap Islamic litrature that does not cost much.
I have red your posting about being a muslim. It is a very sound move you should consider. Islam is peaceful and easy to follow.
Remember Islam in Africa is not a culture but a religion that is why we have less religious conflicts.
We can produce 20 or more children because of the nature of our former lives. The present generation is not like that. Nowadays famelies are less in numbers because both men and women have other methods of living. Pollygami I belive is an African tradition. It is not only Muslims who take more than one wief in Africa. This was ment for protection. Nowadays women are running their own buisness, heads of state and directore and lawyers and all what not.
I myself have nothing against two wives if they can cope with the situation. This is a discussion that takes place between my wife and I. She only hope I can take care of both families without problem otherwise the answer is no. I agree with her so no complain.
I have an Iranian friend whos wife caught him with his girlfriend. Then she took both of them to the Imam to make things ligal between the two to avoid funication. Was the woman a fool or did she do the correct thing gambiave? |
Edited by - Alhassan on 11 Aug 2006 15:59:54 |
|
|
|
njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 16:05:51
|
| Jambo you should not forget that France doesn't blindly support to US and you do. |
|
|
|
MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 16:22:18
|
quote:
Originally posted by Rainbow
Just scared to travel and i have done nothing wrong!!!
BLAME BUSH AND BLAIR |
madiss |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 18:03:24
|
| NO. Blame the terrorists! |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 18:05:54
|
| Alhassan, I would get rid of the man! But that is the cultural difference I think! |
|
|
|
MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 21:01:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
NO. Blame the terrorists!
Who are terrorists?
|
madiss |
|
|
|
toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 21:04:28
|
| Sorry about that, but thunderstorm overhead and I crashed!! but hey this is Africa. I too have heard the radical Imams speeches on Islamic world domination, and it will probably happen but not in my lifetime. I think the western world is very confused over Islam, as we knowit is a peaceful religion, but you then have people waging terrorist attacks all over the world in the name of Allah and Islam !! Does anyone remember the fairly recent case of the Afghani muslim who converted to Catholicism, and was sentenced to death. Intervention saved his life but he had to leave Afghanistan, why? All the recent terror tatics in the Uk will only add to the paranoia over Islam and give fuel to the likes of the BNP. Hopefully there will be no reprisals, as once again innocent, law abiding people are at risk, but the spotight will be on them again. |
|
|
|
toubab
Gambia
92 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 21:10:26
|
| Madiba, just looked up the word Terrorist.'Anyone who commits an organized system of intimidation,especially for political ends.' Mmmm very interesting! |
|
|
|
MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 21:26:25
|
quote:
Originally posted by toubab
Madiba, just looked up the word Terrorist.'Anyone who commits an organized system of intimidation,especially for political ends.' Mmmm very interesting!
It is my fervent belief that if there is fair-play in the politics of the Middle-East, there will be no more terror attacks. Once there is a Palestinian State justly demarcated, Golan Heights returned to the rightful owners Syria,America and Britain pull out of Iraq and allow Iraqis run their affairs, destroy Israeli, Indian, Pakistani Nuclear capabilities, make the Middle-East Nuclear free and the World at large, Allow the oil-rich middle-East countries run their daily affairs,THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL THE REST OF US ENJOY PEACE. |
madiss |
Edited by - MADIBA on 11 Aug 2006 21:28:35 |
|
|
|
Newfy
Western Samoa
462 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 22:39:44
|
In Japan, when folks travel they often ship their bags ahead of them. For nineteen dollars a bag it arrives at your hotel or where you stay nicely wrapped in heavy durable plastic.
It might be challenging to orchestrate but what if baggage was sent separately instead of boarding the plane. Wouldn't that remove some of the bomb threat? |
|
|
|
Newfy
Western Samoa
462 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 22:44:38
|
About large families, I believe lots of cultures have had expectations about family size. My grandmother from the old country had eight children. A Igbo friend was expected by her family to have at least four children and they did  . Children are seen as a gift and one's family wealth in the sense that they can help with alot of the daily activities; by age four this dear Igbo friend was selling oranges in the market to help support her family. She wanted to work so she could help support her family. The family unit can be so strong collectively. |
|
|
|
Newfy
Western Samoa
462 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 22:51:49
|
By above response was to Bev about family. I am not sure what an 'average' Gambian is as you refer to in your post. The other thing that is tragic about many families in Senegal and Gambia, is that they may lose their newborn or infant to malaria combined with diarrhea that leads to dehydration. Or the mother does not survive childbirth and then a "wet nurse" like a grandmother is found...to keep the baby alive but without resources to purchase medication, vaccinations etc; and take them to the health center and the need for alimentation. It can be a struggle, so that if there are large families it is to assure survival of children. This was my experience and what I have heard/read and Im sure others have many other different experiences.
The other thing I want to say Bev, is that there is good statistical evidence that increase in income and education reduce birth rates and child mortality. I think if there was equity in Gambia and other place in Africa then there could be change. I don't know if you ever read the Beautiful One are not yet born by Armah. Its an older publication you can find in a bookstore used. Its worthwhile reading about the deterioration of a countries infrastructure and people and this was written along time ago. |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 23:14:12
|
The first time I visited Diana nursery there was a baby crying in the background of the public meeting. It was crying inconsolably.
I went over and held the baby. The women explained that the babies mother had died in child birth and they were trying to raise it. I held this baby for some time and made a bond with it. I sent some money from time to time, but then the family sent me a letter to say the baby had died.
I was so sad, but had so much respect for the family. They could have pretended the baby was still alive and I would have still sent money.
When I returned to Diana nursery at Brufut the following year I didnt know what to expect.But I ended up hugging the lady that looked after the child (auntie) and crying with her. We both grieved for the child that died.
This last visit, she had her own child and was happy again.
In the uk when we see suffering in Africa we tend to think you are protected against sadness becasue it is 'normal' for you. My experience at Brufut made me realise that you feel the pain the same as I do.
I have learnt alot about life from the realities in Gambia and the dignified way people deal with life. I have SO much respect for the communities. |
|
|
|
gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2006 : 23:19:58
|
Madiba the people planning to blow up planes are terrorists. They may be politically or religiously motivated, but they dont care who they hurt or kill.
I believe if someone is truely religious then they shouldnt want to harm another human being. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
