Abdoulie Ceesay, The Gambia
A delegation of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya the Gambia – led by Baba F Trawally Sahib, Amir Jamaat the Gambia – had a meeting with the President of the Republic of The Gambia on 14 November 2022. The news released by the government was broadcast and printed by the state media, radio and other media outlets as produced below:
News Dispatch (14 November2022):
“President Barrow Extols Ahmadiyya Jamaat for Remarkable Service to The Gambia
“His Excellency, President Adama Barrow has extolled the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for ‘their remarkable Service to The Gambia and humanity.’
“During an audience with the Jamaat’s Gambian Amir, Mr Baba F. Trawally and a delegation of Ahmadi experts across various disciplines at State House on Wednesday, President Barrow expressed gratitude to the Ahmadiyya for their quality services to the nation, especially, in the fields of health and education. President Barrow told the Amir that Nusrat High School speaks volumes to the Jamaat’s significant contribution to Gambian education and as a school of excellence and discipline, Nusrat continues to be an inspiration to Gambian students and their parents.
“He recognised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Hospital in Tallinding as relatively affordable with a highly disciplined team of medics rendering high-quality medical services to the sick.
“While assuring them of his government’s full support for their development projects, President Barrow informed Amir Trawally and delegation that he has assigned the Agriculture Ministry to map out viable rice production sites across the country to be fully developed by both the state and genuine investors.
“President Barrow lamented the occupational imbalances in the informal sectors of the country and emphasised the need for technical skill centres in every region to close the gap on foreign domination in areas like fishing, carpentry, auto-mechanics and the retail and wholesale business. He reiterated the need to train our people to change the status quo. The Jamaat, he noted is a serious and well-organized institution with the capacity to deliver on these projects. The President of the Republic strongly encouraged religious tolerance, understanding and unity for the success and progress of The Gambia.
“Speaking earlier to update the Gambian leader and seek his endorsement for a list of new projects, Amir Trawally praised Allah for the meeting with President Barrow and congratulated the Gambian leader on his December presidential election victory that was conducted peacefully. He observed that The Gambia is progressing successfully, but the government cannot do it all. The Jamaat will continue to work with the government in the health, education and agriculture sectors and render other humanitarian needs, the Amir said.
“Reporting on major projects that the Jamaat intends to carry out, the Amir mentioned the construction of an International Technical College to be situated in Lower Niumi District, North Bank Region and an agricultural “Food Basket Programme for Africa” led by the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers (IAAAE). ‘The Africa Food Basket Project’ is geared towards rice production to feed the population and potentially export it to Europe, which is the wish of their Supreme Leader, the Khalifa.
“Amir Trawally requests the government’s support in the acquisition of land, measuring some 25-30 hectares for the venture, preferably in Jangjangbureh, Central River Region (CRR). He revealed that both local and international experts will collaborate in the realis ation of the project.
“Amir Trawally also said that Humanity First, The Gambia, is currently drilling 20 boreholes for domestic needs nationwide and 20 more will be drilled in rural areas where access to portable drinking water remains elusive. A Modern Village pilot project in Sari Malang, CRR on renewable energy, water and solar PVC systems for lighting in homes and streets will be replicated in other parts of The Gambia. Murreh Kunda in the Upper River Region (URR), Wuli East and its two neighbouring communities, will benefit from the expansion of the modern village project, he disclosed.
“He announced that the Jamaat is currently working with Humanity First, UK to build a state-of-the-art referral hospital in the West Coast Region. The Amir craved the President’s support in the allocation of land for the construction of the said hospital.
“On dental surgery at the Ahmadiyya Hospital, the Amir stated that in less than two weeks, no one should travel to Senegal for dental treatment as the latest machines for dental surgery and implants are being installed.
“Amir Trawally argued that peace is the foundation of everything and the Jamaat will support the country in maintaining peace and its members will continue to be law-abiding and peaceful citizens.
“Mr Ebrima G. Sankareh, the government spokesperson who led the delegation to State House, highlighted the urgency of the proposed ‘Africa Food Basket Project’ as well as the International Technical College, which he reasoned, will significantly alleviate our dependency on imported rice and improve skills development among Gambian youth.
“Other speakers included the Third Deputy Amir, Ibrahima Jam Jawo, Education Secretary, Alhagie Bah, Humanity First Gambia Branch Chairman, Kawsu Kinteh and Agriculture Secretary Ebrima Sosseh Colley”.
Amir Sahib Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya The Gambia presented to the President various Jamaat literature, including the Mandinka, Wolof, Pullar, and English translations of the Holy Quran, The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace (English and translations in Mandinka, Wolof and Pullar), Islam’s Response to Contemporary Issues, Salat Muslim Prayer Book, Yassarnal Quran, Ahmadiyya Muslim Beliefs, and The Review of Religions.
Amir Sahib Jamaat The Gambia, naib amir sahib, and missionary-in-charge also visited the Minister of Work, Transport and Infrastructure and the Minister of Information, both of whom appreciated the great social services the Jamaat is rendering to the Gambia.