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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Oct 2013 : 00:45:27
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This from the Point:
Beware of pickpockets
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Tobaski is just two weeks away;
an air of festivity is being felt all over at the Serrekunda and Albert markets, at the tailoring shops and in all places where people converged as they prepare for the big feast.
As we move closer to the day, shopkeepers, ram dealers and tailors will be under more pressure to satisfy their customers, who seem to want more and more of everything.
It is a period of spending on food for the family and for entertainment, on new clothes and shoes, household appliances, and so on.
The countless money transfer services such as Western Union points are bustling with activity, as people streaming in and out with cash received from remittances.
This is a time when so much money is in circulation, with all the remittances from relatives and friends in Europe, America and other parts of the world.
Yet at a time when persons, who toiled all these past months to earn some money for the festive season, now feel they can go about spending it, there are others on the prowl, especially in places where people congregate, ready to seize every opportunity to deprive you of your hard-earned income.
There are various kinds of swindlers. Some capitalize on your kindness and goodwill, others on your innocence, while others still are ever ready to fleece you through so-called bargaining, by asking for the sky for things that are worth only a few pennies.
So be warned, beware!
Picking your pocket, and being victimized by swindlers is quite common during this time of the year.
This period is also the time when unscrupulous businesspeople dealing in consumables tend to engage in profiteering.
This is the time when they hoard things to create artificial scarcity, and temporarily send prices soaring well beyond the reach of the ordinary man and woman.
The spoilers are ubiquitous, and are to be found predominantly in the markets, car parks, ferry terminals and busy intersections such as West Field Junction.
So, as you go shopping for the Tobaski, be on your guard.
The friendly, chatty ready-to-help companion strolling with you, or sitting next to you on the bus or in the taxi, could be a pickpocket.
When you are out and about at this time of the year, be always mindful of your pocket, wallet or hand bag or briefcase.
The times are hard, so there are many people out there who are desperate to get by through any means possible.
“Criminality should be exterminated by disabling all notorious and irreclaimable criminals.”
Tennessee Claflin
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/beware-of-pickpockets-1
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2013 : 20:10:59
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Tobaski ram sale gathers pace, consumers bemoan skyrocketed prices
"Muslims around the globe are bracing up for one of the most important feasts in their calendar, the Eidul Adha (Tobaski), slated to take place in the middle of this month.
Observed on 10th of the 12th month of the Muslim calendar, Tobaski is a major religious activity celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It is meant to honour the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his young first-born son Ishmael as an act of submission to God's command and his son's acceptance to being sacrificed, before God intervened to provide Abraham with a ram to sacrifice in place of his son.."...
SOURCE: Daily Observer News and full report Friday, October 04, 2013
IT IS VERY INTERESTING FOR PRO-GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER DAILY OBSERVER NEWS TO REPORT AS QUOTED 
quote:
"consumers bemoan skyrocketed prices"!
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Edited by - kobo on 04 Oct 2013 20:15:50 |
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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2013 : 22:04:12
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Kobo, I totally agree with your comments on the D.O. article,I suspect that there may possibly be a surprise package to deal with these quote:
"skyrocketed prices"!
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 04 Oct 2013 22:08:02 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2013 : 22:53:42
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1.D35, 000 rams on display at Abuko
Rams costing a staggering thirty five thousand dalasi (D35,000) were Monday on display at the Central Abattoir in Abuko as Gambians prepare to observe the 10th day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, Eid-ul Adha widely known as ‘Tobaski’.
The Gambia a week from today will join the rest of the world to observe this important feast, which is a major religious activity celebrated by Muslims across the globe.
In a bid to explore the market and establish the facts surrounding the sale of rams, this reporter went to the Central Abattoir where he found multiple of rams on display costing D35,000 and below –prices which are not affordable to ordinary Gambians.
In an interview with one Lamin Sonko, a resident of Banjulinding in West Coast Region, a man who claimed to be in ram business for over 30 years revealed prices for his rams, ranging from D35,000 to D20,000 D18,000, D17,000, 15,000 and D10 respectively.."...
SOURCE: Daily Observer News and full report Tuesday, October 08, 2013
2.Daily Observer News Editorial: Tobaski and prices |
Edited by - kobo on 08 Oct 2013 23:38:08 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2013 : 23:01:55
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The Tobaski
When you see shepherds roaming around with their sheep in large numbers, you know the Tobaski is here again.
It is an important Muslim festival during which a ram is sacrificed. Because of this, the faithful prepare for the sacrificial rams with all seriousness.
Some save, some borrow in order to get at least a ram; those who are well-off, buy more than a ram for the sacrifice, which they share with their neighbours and friends.
The Greater Banjul Area is already seeing the influx of shepherds, taking their flocks around town in search of prospective buyers.
However, what is worrying here is that the affordability of rams at cheaper prices has now become a major concern in all corners of our society, especially in current times when the demand is too high.
This has also become a topical issue in all corners of the country.
Concerns have been raised by the public regarding the high cost of rams this year, not only within the Greater Banjul Area, but also in some parts of the country.
Ahead of this important festival, we would like to give some piece of advice, especially to the ram sellers.......
SOURCE: The Point News & Read Full Editorial |
Edited by - kobo on 09 Oct 2013 23:02:39 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2013 : 23:30:28
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If u can't afford a ram is it acceptable to have a goat?
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2013 : 21:58:04
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1. Countdown to Tobaski in The Gambia
In The Gambia, it can be a stressful time for some, as the cost of a sheep can typically be twice an ordinary worker’s monthly salary. The cost rises steeply as Tobaski approaches, because everyone is expected to wear his/her finest clothes, preferably new and buy a ram too. As a result of this combined factors, our reporter went out and about to assess the level of ram sales at some strategic locations within the Kanifing Municipality.
Source:Daily Observer News for full report
2. Daily Observer News Editorial Countdown to Tobaski |
Edited by - kobo on 10 Oct 2013 22:00:15 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2013 : 22:56:44
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
If u can't afford a ram is it acceptable to have a goat?
1. WHY SLAUGHTERING AN ANIMAL SUCH AS A SHEEP, CAMEL, OR GOAT FOR MUSLIMS "FESTIVAL OF SACRIFICE"
- "(Festival of Sacrifice) One of the two main Islamic festivals (the other is 'Id al-Fitr), this festival falls on the 10th day of the lunar month of Zul-Hijja and is the concluding act of pilgrimage to Makkah. In commemoration of Abraham's faith, sheep, goats and camels are offered to God, and the meat is distributed to the poor and needy."
2. VERY USEFUL POINTS TO NOTE;
- "According to Islamic tradition, approximately four thousand years ago, the valley of Mecca (in present-day Saudi Arabia) was a dry, rocky and uninhabited place. God instructed Abraham ('Ibraheem in Arabic) to bring Hajarar, his Egyptian wife, and Ishmael, his only child at the time, to Arabia from the land of Canaan.[citation needed]"
- "Eid al-Adha (Arabic): "festival of the sacrifice", also called Feast of the Sacrifice, the Major Festival,the Greater Eid"
- "The Arabic term "festival of the sacrifice", is borrowed into Indo-Aryan languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Gujarati, and Austronesian languages, such as Malay and Indonesian (the last often spelling it as Idul Adha or Iduladha)."
Different dialects; Eid al-Kabir, an Arabic term meaning "the Greater Eid" (the "Lesser Eid" being Eid al-Fitr), "Kurban Bayram (Turkish: Kurban Bayram;); Serbo-Croat-Bosnian: kurban-bajram), Eid-e-Qurban (Persian), Bakr Eid or Bakrid (Hindustani, Urdu)"
- "Other local names include Mandarin Chinese Zishng Jié ("Slaughter-livestock Festival") as well as Tfaska Tamoqqart in the Berber language of Djerba, Tabaski or Tobaski in Wolof,[Babbar Sallah in Nigerian languages" etc
- "During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham."
- "The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:
"Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)"
- "One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God."
- "At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) and will last for three days. 'Id al-Adha is observed whether or not one is on pilgrimage."
- "Q. What kind of animals can be slaughtered?
A. It is only valid to slaughter camels, cattle, sheep, or goats (i.e camel 1st and goat 4th in order of priority respectively). Camels must be over five years old, cows and goats must be over two years old, and sheep must be over one year old. Sheep can, however, also be slaughtered after six months if their front teeth fall out. It does not matter whether the animals are male or female; both are valid to slaughter.
Camels and cows fulfill the sunna for seven people and can be shared among them. Sheep and goats cannot be shared by multiple people, since they only fulfill the sunna for a single person.
The animals must be free of any defect that diminishes the quality of their meat. For example, it is not valid to slaughter animals that are lame, blind, insane, or sick. See Reliance, j14.2 for a more detailed description of defects that make the animal invalid to slaughter for the Eid sacrifice.
(Reliance, 14.2; I;anatu;l-Talibin, 2.331; al-Yaqut al-Nafis fi Madhhab Ibn Idris, 204-205; Mughni; l-Muhtaj, 4.379)" SOURCE: spa.qibla.com
- "It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)"
- "The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others."
- "The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path."
- The DO and DON'TS of the Eid (Refer here)
- The Sunnah of Eid (Refer here)
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Edited by - kobo on 11 Oct 2013 03:59:17 |
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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2013 : 16:25:42
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Just another problem for Tobaski.
Movement during Tobaski
africa » gambia
Friday, October 11, 2013
This is always a busy time of the year, with Christmas and New Year celebrations just around the corner.
And, on top of this, there is the Tobaski festival. So everybody has something to celebrate.
For the Muslims, the feast of Tobaski is a big affair, slaughtering the obligatory ram and sharing the mutton with friends, relatives and well-wishers.
Now that the feast is less than two weeks away, traders are naturally anxious to dispose of their rams. And buyers cannot wait to get theirs.
Obviously, getting around town during this period is, no doubt, bound to be more difficult as the feast of Tobaski approaches.
Those who commute to Banjul on a daily basis know how difficult it is to go to and from work.
Whether it is at Serekunda, or at the Cooperative Bus Stop, or the Bakau end, getting to Banjul is a nightmare in the rush hour.
It’s more nightmarish at both Serekunda and the Cooperative Bus Stop. There’s usually a milling mass of people, who jostle one another just to board a bus. People have to wait for hours on end to board a bus. In the resultant scramble, pickpockets have a field day.
Most drivers have no qualms about exploiting the situation. Sometimes, people who commute from Brikama to Banjul pay thrice the normal fare, as drivers break up the journey into several stages, just to make more money.
Buses leaving directly from Brikama for Banjul are few and far between nowadays. A commuter makes it to the bus stop in Brikama, hoping to get a direct bus to Banjul. He or she waits in vain for a bus going to Banjul, until he or she is told to get into a bus going to Lamin, then board another going to Westfield Junction, and then finally Banjul.
That is if he or she is lucky. Sometimes, the journey between Westfield Junction and Banjul is broken into two stops – at Old Jeshwang and then Banjul. Apart from the exorbitant fares, it is time consuming and physically exhausting.
Whatever the cause, we fear that things are really going to be rough at this time of the year, as most people will be travelling to the provinces to celebrate the Tobaski.
Already, drivers are warming up for a kill. And touts are also waiting anxiously to make a pile out of poor commuters.
With the touts, they take up a seat in a bus to give the impression that it is already occupied. Once they see passengers jostling one another for seats, they throw in their gambit. If the fare is say twenty dalasis, they add say ten dalasis on top. If the demand is high, they might even raise it a bit further.
If you pay, you have a seat, but if you don’t, you have to wait in the sun for a whole day or so before you could be lucky to get to your destination.
For most passengers, who are eager to join families and friends in the gaiety of the Tobaski, no expense is spared. They don’t really care whether or not they’re fleeced. While they get poorer, the touts get richer, so to speak.
This is a serious problem that shouldn’t be brushed aside. In a way, we can’t blame the drivers because the law of demand and supply governs business. That’s why the relevant authorities shouldn’t hesitate to make movement to and from the provinces during the Tobaski a lot easier for commuters.
But even at that, would we be asking for too much if we request our drivers to temper the law of supply and demand with the benevolence of the Tobaski?
“The fear of one evil often leads us into a greater one.”
Boileau-Despreaux, Nicolas
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/movement-during-tobaski-2 |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12237 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2013 : 12:33:48
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Nearly here:
Happy Tobaski
africa » gambia
Monday, October 14, 2013
Barely 24 hours to go and The Gambia will join the rest of the Islamic Umma in celebrating what we locally call Tobaski.
It is a day of sacrifice and supplication to the Almighty Allah who created the universe.
It is a day when Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the country share food and gifts in observance of this very important Islamic feast.
This sharing and caring by adherents of the country’s major religious denominations: Islam and Christianity, to a large extent shows the cordial relationship that exists between different faiths.
In as much as family heads are obliged to slaughter at least a ram, it is not incumbent on those who cannot afford the sacrifice, as we have seen in instances where people do all it takes to get one.
This we believe is against the teachings of the holy book, and as Muslims we should measure our doings according to what we can afford to avoid unIslamic behaviour.
As we celebrate this day, parents should be mindful of where and when their children visit, hence one should be mindful of the bad ones in our midst.
On this special occasion, we congratulate all Muslims and wish them a happy feast in advance.
We would also like to wish all our readers, advertisers and well-wishers a memorable Tobaski.
May Allah shower His blessings on this beautiful country of ours so that we would continue to enjoy peace and harmony. “Small is Beautiful.
A study of economics as if people mattered”.
E.F. Schumacher
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/happy-tobaski-2
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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