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Momodou
Denmark
11713 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Sep 2010 : 12:21:10
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Dailynews Editorial: Presidential Interference in Islam
President Jammeh’s meeting with elders and religious leaders at State house on Eid-el-Fitr (Koriteh) day Friday saw allegations of some Islamic scholars trying to create conflict in the country and the giving of a week ultimatum to Supreme Islamic Council to bridge the divide among Muslims regarding Islamic activities on the Muslim calendar by the President.
The President’s interference in religious issues specifically Islam is tempting many reasonable thinkers to quiz whether religious leaders, particularly leaders of the Supreme Islamic Council are not under political influence.
It would be very difficult for us to say that some Islamic leaders in The Gambia are not under such influence if the President can gather Muslim elders and leaders to give directives and ultimatums on what they should do. And surprisingly enough, most of these elders are believed to be scholars. Being a scholar one should be able to make independent research on issues of one’s domain without misdirection.
We have witnessed that president’s statement on the pray day of the last Eid-el-Adha has preceded the decision of the Supreme Islamic Council, which some concerned Muslims believed should have been left with the Islamic council to decide as the mandated body.
Anybody abreast with religious matters must either from reading or listening to preachers knows that divided opinions of people of the same religion should not engender hatred or chaos. Islamic leaders can engage each other in debates and dialogue by making reference to the Qur’an and the tradition of the Prophet (Sunnah) than to have a referee who is not a religious scholar.
If religious leaders allow the public to lose confidence in them their value will diminish.
We should endeavour to learn from the experience of countries that went into religious conflicts due to misunderstanding between religious folks. Somalia has been in conflict for long and still the dust is not yet clear. Religion requires tolerance.
The beauty of leaving religious matters with religious scholars is the ensuing constructive debate and dialogue it generates that only leads to peace and understanding. And the price that is paid for allowing a political leader to interfere with religious matters is confusion and misunderstanding.
The best thing the President could have done is to call all concerned religious leaders and encourage dialogue as the way forward. This is what will foster understanding and avoid confusion. Islam has given no room for a Muslim to call another Muslim a "dog."
As human beings with conscience, the most positive work we can do is to make complex things simple and give peace a chance.
The best time to make peace is when there is no conflict.
Source: DailyNews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2010 : 18:59:49
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Well the president is the Islamic Council's anointed Sheik,, he should sure be allowed to opine on their Islamic issues... Who know, this could be a blessing in disguise, the people could soon start realizing what this Micky-mouse council is really all about!
Just wondering, why are they calling themselves "supreme?" |
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2010 : 21:37:19
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In generations, Gambia will continue to regret for having a criminal seize power and meddled in everything. Waiting for Yaya Jammeh to accept good sense, not in his whole life. |
Karamba |
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