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Arrest Of Imam Ba-Kawsu Fofana- Police Said
Imam Fofana Accused Of Making “ Hostile Statements” Against The SIC
By Staff Reporter James Jammeh, Banjul
The Supreme Islamic Council, which is Gambia’s main Muslim religious body, has been accused of facilitating the arrest of a highly respectable Imam Ba-Kawsu Fofana. Mr. Fofana was lured into the Yundum police station on the pretext that he was needed there for questioning, only to be arrested on arrival. He was accused of making hostile statements against the religious body, which he emphatically denied. Police say they received a complaint from the Supreme Islamic Council against Imam Fofana regarding his opposition to the organization. That the religious leader was bent on “undermining” their activities in the country.
Mr. Fofana was booked by the police on December 4th 2009, on arrival at the Yundum Police, sources said. The controversial Imam who hailed from Jarra Sankwia, never minces his views on religious matters. He preached about honesty, accountability, good manners, and tolerance in the country.
The Supreme Islamic Council has been empowered to determine dates for Muslim festivities in The Gambia. But Imam Fofana’s views on the Muslim feast Tabaski, do not go down well with the Council. The Imam urged Gambians to pray on the same day and avoid confusion on feasts like Tabaski.
Imam Fofana told police that he fears only God and no human being. He says his preaching were premised on religious teachings and that no one can make him to circumvent the dictates of the Koran.
"I only fear God and the day of judgment,” he posited.
The popular Imam told Police he does not believe in appeasing the powers that be just for the sake of achieving one’s personal aggrandizement.
"I am advising the President of the Gambia and the SIC President in particular to try to build a full cooperation between them and the Gambian Muslim Ummah about the sighting of the moon and the observance of the Tobaski feast or Koriteh,” the Imam was quoted as saying.
He stated that it is important for them to go by the consent or the will of the people according to the Hadith and the teachings of Islam. In doing so, the whole country will be able to observe Tabaski prayers on the same day, he said. He further advises the Gambian Leader not to listen to any unscrupulous official of The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC).
The Supreme Islamic Council was dissolved by the President following reports of lack of unity amongst its membership. The president also threatened to arrest and jail wanting religious leaders serving the Islamic body.
ENDS 12/19/09
