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Momodou
Denmark
11740 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Aug 2009 : 22:58:23
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There are members of an Islamic sect who go around doing Da'wah in The Gambia nowadays. The word "Da'wah" in Arabic simply means to invite to something. When it is used in conjunction with Islam it is understood to mean "Inviting to the Way of submission and surrender to Allah."
The locals are calling them MARAKAS and sometimes MASALLAH. Does anyone know the origin and philosophy of this religious group called MARAKAS?
Are the two groups MARAKAS and MASALLAH the same?
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2009 : 23:38:19
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momodou, welcome back from your holiday. I hope you enjoyed your stay.
The word Marakash means centre. This concept originates in India. The philosophy is base on self-analysis and brotherhood in faith. masalah simply means by the wish of God or if God so wish. Insahalah.
so marakash is a centre were muslims meet and discuss religious matters. elders who devouts their life to learning teach young men/women and systematically show how to bring lazy muslims back to the Mosque for congretional prayers.
The dawah system involves visiting fellow muslims at their homes and eat with them and encourage them to make efforts do their prayers in the mosque.
the philosophy was developed by man call Maulana Iliyas or Yunus. he is from India. on visits to different localities, the dawah practionaers will not bother anyone, they would prefar to sleep in the mosque. in the early days in the Gambia, some mosques use to refuse entry to the visitors to stay in their mosques. it was a new way of encouraging muslims to be regulars at the mosque. But now, it has taken roots, the gambia college, and many government department has strong members who spend their weekend at bundung marakash. then people use to think, only jobless and lazy people join the tabliqh jamat (the real name for the movement) but that was a wrong misconception.
In England, the biggest centre is in yorkshire. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Momodou
Denmark
11740 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 08:47:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Santanfara..
so marakash is a centre were muslims meet and discuss religious matters. elders who devouts their life to learning teach young men/women and systematically show how to bring lazy muslims back to the Mosque for congretional prayers.
The dawah system involves visiting fellow muslims at their homes and eat with them and encourage them to make efforts do their prayers in the mosque....
My reason for asking about this group is that I saw a young man in a village who was said to have had contact with this group called “Marakas”. The young man before meeting this sect used to be a teacher and very active in his community. After going around with this group “Marakas” for just around 40 days, he returned back to his village and now acts completely weird. His personality had been re-programmed by this sect in just a very short time. He has completely isolated himself from the rest of the family and hardly speaks to anyone; he does not even greet which is very alien to the normal Gambian norm in a compound.
The scenario reminds me of the brainwashed youth we hear of daily in the Middle East and Asia who end up being suicide bombers in the name of Islam.
I have the feeling that people with very week personalities are very vulnerable and these sects can become a social time bomb in the Gambia.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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tamsier
United Kingdom
557 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 12:58:46
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Momodou,
Your last posting took the words right out of my mouth. I am not being paranoid but I find their presence in The Gambia frightening and worrying. As you rightly noted, they may attract vulnerable people. I worry that this sect can attract the poor and vulnerable people to do their dirty job for them - i.e turn them into suicide bombers. Make no mistake, this has happened in other parts of the world. Santanfara mentioned Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. It is evident that, many of the british muslim suicide bombers were actually living in Yorkshire and its surrounding counties. Some of them were involved in charitable organisations which was only a mask for their actual objectives. We don't need this in the Gambia and the authorities must put a stop to it or watch them closely before they turn the Gambia into another recruiting ground. These kind of people have been known to use money to recruit bombers - I.e they promised to provide for the families of the matyr [brain dead and cowards I call them]. Gambia being a poor country and predominantly muslim [albeit some are not actually othordox muslims]many would do anything to improve their lot. I have family in the Gambia as most people on this bantaba site do and I certainly do not welcome them there - be they gambian nationals or foreigners. If they want to do their dirty propaganda they should do it somewhere else.
NB: I am not trying to speak against Islam on this issue. Any Gambian national - [living in the gambia or abroad] be they muslims, christians or animists should be concerned. This is no time for propaganda or accusations, the issue is serious and I hope any contributor on this subject would treat it with seriousness it deserves rather than playing religious games. I am open minded about the issue and about their objectives provided that it is legitimate and honourable. However, recent history toughts us that,the objectives of sects like these are far from legitimate and honourable.
Thank you. |
Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 14:54:34
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This is not a new phenomenon in Gambia. In every movement, there are people who misunderstand the purpose and concept of a movement and act "wierd" as Momodou put it. I have come in contact with people who have devoted their spare time to spreading the message of Islam and yet still hold jobs and lead very active lives in the community.
It has become the norm today that if someone ostensibly turns his or her life from the mundane world and devoted time to serving Allah we grow suspicious and afraid that they have decided to devote their lives to more serious things than youths typically engage in. Consequently, we are prone to labelling all of them as wierd. Even at the time of the Ali bin Abu Talib (RA), there were people (The Khawarij) who came in islam and thought that the Khalifa himself was not "muslim" enough.
Case in point, if Lamin who was known to be a very jovial, often flirts and very likable by all the girls in town, suddently quits flirting and become serious with issues he could easily be termed as wierd. I am not saying that there are people who dont lose the plot when they suddenly decide to change. Yes some people really become wierd when they come in contact with such a movement "Marakash," but Marakash that I know truely embodies a movement to revive islam in Gambia. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 16:34:55
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Momodou, the young man may be suffering from some form of problem before encountering the Tabligh Jamat. they are evidently the most percive of all sufi muslim groups. In fact, they hardly preach jihad in all their sermons or teachings.
Tamsier have again jump in wrongly on this people. Their perciveness makes them unattractive to frustrated young men against imperial advances in their countries. Tabligh Jamat don't preach hate, never. All they concentrate on is for muslims to follow a simple islamic way. This is by caring about the welfare of fellow believers and frequenting the Mosque.
the real reason young men join pseudo islamic movement to vent their anger is mostly lack of direction within a society they live in. This can be anywhere. when their grevances are not attended to adquately they do stupid things.
In all of U.K, no single Tabligh Jamat member as ever been convicted of terrorism or even remotely promoting terrorism or violence.
This people don't even preach to non-muslim much. tabligh jamat has been in the Gambia since the 1980's. if they were instigators of violence, that would be seen by now.
I agree with Mansasulu that some young boys who were engaged in clubing and smoking weed sudden transformation sometimes makes them weird. this may be due to withdrawal symdrone. I have seen a man from Kian who use to have at a go two girl friends. after loosing one of the girl he love most to a bumster who was dishing out much money, he join marakash/tabliqh jamat in Bundun. he completely wish to change his life so sudden, he became withdrawn and later isolate himself. like many things in life, once you are too much into something, you need time to change and adapt.
The young man Momodou, might be moving faster than he should. i can name people who are members in the Gambia that employ many gambians in their businessness.
contrary to what Tamsier said, this people don't operate or engage in charity, they the ordinary folks, just ordinary workers.
The talk of Islamic charities are all baseless arguments. the donation from saudi to Gambia is only through educational support. In fact now, this funds go through the government religious affiars department to schools. The Talinding school is the main resipiant of saudi educational support funds, this is for paying the teachers.
i hope non-muslims are not trying to dictate to us how to manage our islam. God forbid.
Momodou, in Japan and many wester countries, video games are making young people isolated and sick. In japan especially it is now a disease. People sometimes misunderstood or get adicted to things. do we complain of alcolism in our streets? do we fear holigans as much we fear people who has never harm anyone?
marakash has been in the Gambia for over two decade, they have never harm a fly becus of their religious beliefs. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Momodou
Denmark
11740 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 17:42:55
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Suntu, I am talking about a young man in a Gambian village setup who has become mentally unstable after his association with this Islamic group and you bring in “video games” and “flattering of girls” which is out of topic. I have no doubt that there are members of this group called "Marakas" in the Gambia with sound minds but my concern is particularly this young man and many other vulnerable personalities.
This young man is a qualified teacher and never smoked or taken any narcotic drug as far the family knows. Today he is refusing to take any form of medication on the grounds that people will say that it is medicine that cured him and not Allah. He has definitely encountered something during his association with the sect which contributed to his current state of mind and its sorrowful. The family wants to help and this is my reason for enquiring about this group.
By the way you seem to be defensive about this group Suntu, are you a member? 
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 18:04:55
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Oh no Momodou i am not a member. i know people who are. The young is suffering from misunderstanding religious teaching. islam teaches in complex situations where one is unable to find water, if he doesn't drink he/she may die, alcohol becomes permissable let alone medicine. the guy is confuse not by the sect but by his own error in understanding the clear teaching of tabligh jamat or marakash. the name is marakash not maraka. maraka is another name for the sarahuleh tribe.
Momodou in U.K and demmark even, you find the members of marakash to be lawyers, doctors etc. so if taking medication is bad, why the key members are doctors? the guy should put in touch with one the ederly member who should correct this guys error in understanding. I lived with people who are members for years in the Gambia, some of them statistician, nurses and teachers, agric extension workers and telecom engineers. i will give the name of the book they use. it is simple hadith and explanations.
later, most go.
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Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 18:30:24
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Santa, let me make it quite clear, I am not being disrespectful to anybody,in view of your comment "the name is marakash not maraka. maraka is another name for the sarahuleh tribe." I decided to try some research on the WWW ,I was unable to find anything of value, an entry that I did find for marakash was this in Google,
MARAKASH COVER & CUSHION SERVICES, Dubai, United Arab Emirates ... MARAKASH COVER & CUSHION SERVICES. Po Box 82992. Dubai United Arab Emirates. Telephone: +971(4)2660082. Login to edit this entry ...
www.ameinfo.com/db-724287.html - Cached - Similar
I hardly think that a name of an Islamic sect would be given to a factory in Dubai, have you perhaps made a spelling mistake and I was searching for the wrong thing ?
As you would have been aware should you have checked the links in my previous posts I was able to find Maraka,which did have religious connections. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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tamsier
United Kingdom
557 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 18:42:17
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| Oh my word! They have infiltrated the country. Were are these people? Who are these people? We already have problems with our political leaders the last thing we need is this. Santanfara, you said 'Tamsier have again jump in wrongly on this people.'I hope you are correct, for the sake of the Gambia I hope you are correct. Santanfara, Momodou is trying to tell you the plight of this young man after his mingling with this sect and the best thing you can say is 'The young is suffering from misunderstanding religious teaching...... the guy is confuse not by the sect but by his own error in understanding the clear teaching of tabligh jamat or marakash.' We all do respect, unless people are honest with themselves and see the implications of this, this topic will not reach a sound conclusion. If people keep burying their heads in the sand and being defencive, there may come a day when their own families are at risk -, I really hope that will never happen. It is the security of our nation and people that is at stake, and believe me, all of Mr Jammehs action are minuscule compared to sects like this. Unless we put our futile religious differences aside and concentrated on the bigger issue with openess and honesty, we will get nowhere. |
Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 19:00:04
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"Unless we put our futile religious differences aside and concentrated on the bigger issue with openess and honesty, we will get nowhere."
Well said Tamsier. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2009 : 19:54:11
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Sects of any religion can be dangerous.
My advice would be to avoid extremes of any religion.
Moderation in life is a good principle to live by. 
Young vunerable people can be indoctrinated. It is very sad to hear of this happening in Gambia, which is know for it's moderation and tolerance. |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2009 : 10:58:00
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
"Unless we put our futile religious differences aside and concentrated on the bigger issue with openess and honesty, we will get nowhere."
Well said Tamsier.
Toubab, this movement is not name after marakash. your misunderstanding is that, you believe marakash is their name. i said clear that, they are Tabliqh jamat.google that.
Secondly, Gambians like giving nicknames to people and groups. people call their members masalah, kurti sindaasrin (shorten trousers), mosque sleepers, marakash (centre) etc. So don't confuse a nickname for a real name.
Tamsier, sriously this people are not harmful in any way or form.
i wrote to Momodou in confidence why and how some young men misunderstand the groups teachings or recommended life style choice.
They don't change people's culture or ways, all they do is recommend you to mix and socialise with fellow brothers and sisters. they believe through that way, ones faith will be strong all the time.
They are not hidden cult movement or pseudo islamist-comminist freedom fighters.
This people don't even allow confrontional people in their mosque. Tamsier, i understand your fears, but really there is no need.
All actions deem islamic extremist have links with political injustices which are left unaddress. so the gambia don't have such issues.
Our political situation is volatile, but religion is never a boiling pot. the only way you should fear religion playing into Gambian politics is when over zealot secularist try to over maginarlise religious people. and also when the head of state openly declare hostility against a certain community, tribe, or sect. at this point, people look for reasons to justify their actions.
killings done due to hating people becus they are of different faith, race or tribe is doom only for hell. so many gambians will not jeopadise their hereafter for mundane political issues. but as i said. if yahya Jammeh today declare hostility in an unequivocal terms against a tribe, then be rest assured, religious justification will play in and people will stand and fight.
The young man is affected by rush of adrinalin of sudden impact. but even momodou can explain that, the man is not harmful. he will calm down soon. people who also do intense meditation and yoga felt or go into trance, this things are short lived. but the intense way the young teacher had seek spiritual consol could be his problem now. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
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