The Realities of Faith
Gambisara
decided to piece this together for the best interest of the Freedom
Newspaper reporting team. Of late, Gambisara have observed with keen
interest of the stories being published online. Most of the stories are
either too personal or political. In a bid to say the least, Gambisara
wants to make it crystal clear that it harbor’s no grudges against
anybody, but only a gentle reminder to all those who are contributing
stories to this leading online Newspaper. Mr. Pa N’derry Mbai did a
good job as a journalist in Banjul
and reported greatly which earned him his reputation globally. He went
an extra mile to establish this leading newspaper which is now the talk of the town. Gambisara feels that whoever is contributing, should do it
wholeheartedly by reporting accurate information due to the simple fact
that Mr. Mbai’s credibility is based on what is published by the
Freedom Newspaper. He will be held responsible for any inaccurate
reporting because of his capacity as its Managing Editor and Publisher.
Gambisara
wants to share few words of goodwill with his colleagues in the Freedom
Newspaper reporting team which centers on the above mentioned topic.
Because it is imperative to remember that although feelings will not be
judged, but reactions will be. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said in a
Hadith (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) “that Allah
will not punish in tears in the eyes nor for sadness in the heart; but
He will punish for this (and he pointed to his tongue) or grant mercy”. At the death of his son Ibraheem, the Holy Prophet (SAW) said, “the eye weeps and the heart is sad, but we will not say except what pleases our lord”, Surah Al-Hajj (22:11).
What Gambisara is referring to here is that we are informing the public
about how our country is being administered and some readers may shed
tears internally either being angry or otherwise. We should be mindful
of that as one day we will be accountable to our stories, either by Mr.
Mbai or someone somewhere.
Gambisara
believes that man is created in weakness and imperfection, therefore,
error is part of his nature. But all sinners are not the same. It is
said that they (sinners) fall into two categories: those who follow the
path of Shaytan (who refused obedience and repentance out of conceit)
and are those doomed to hellfire, and those who have been promised
forgiveness and Paradise: “those
who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves (by
transgression), remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins. And
who can forgive sins expect Allah”, Surah Ali Imran, 3:135.
With this verse, one deduces that a prerequisite to repentance is the
knowledge and admission of sin, for ignorance and denial are barriers
preventing return. Therefore, repentance is subject to certain
conditions: regret, cessation, apology and rectification. When all
these are met, the servant is considered to have returned to Allah and
to the state of worship for which he was created, because in the Holy
Quran, Allah says: “And I did not create jinn and men except to worship me”, 51:56.
Putting this into practice, Gambisara thinks that the Freedom Newspaper
was created to report nothing but the truth, not an avenue to exchange
psychological punches. All reporters (contributors) should remember
that as for injury done to another party (which is disobedience to
Allah), the damage must be restored or adequately compensated for
whenever possible, or forgiveness of the other party must be obtained.
In practice, legal punishments for certain crimes which are handed to
offenders serve not only to benefit society but to completely purify a
soul which has repented for that sin to Allah. But for an unrepentant
soul (or one who regrets only from fear of worldly punishment), legal
retribution will not lessen the extreme punishments of the hereafter.
On
the words being exchanged by various people targeted towards the
opposition leaders, Gambisara thinks different approach should have
been adopted. Gambisara feels that this is not the best time to debate
about who has said what or who is wrong and who is right. They all have
a common enemy and that is the APRC party headed by dictator, President
Yaya Jammeh and they are all aware that no party can single handedly
unseat him, which made it more than important for them to merge as one.
We all know that there is a fracas among them; the talking point should
have focused on pressing them harder with an objective for them to come
together in a mature way, but not using the media to support an
individual party. Please let us all put more pressure on our leaders to
come together as we have 42 days to go to the pools. Please stop the
debate online, its not helping but derailing any chances of a united
opposition. This is Gambisara’s opinion.
On
a final note to Mr. Mbai and his management team of this leading online
newspaper, Gambisara wants to remind you to be aware of Allah’s
presence, knowing that He alone can comprehend one’s concerns,
appreciate one’s efforts and relieve one’s sorrows. And knowing that
whatever the people might think, Allah enumerates and rewards that
which is unnoticed - sincerity of intention, conscientiousness in deed,
and pain born patiently in the heart. Meaning Allah knows why you set
up the online paper more than you think you know, so he is keenly
watching, as we his servants are watching the movements of public
officials in No. 1 Marina Parade in an around Banjul and exposing them
to the world. That one day we will be exposed as well. A typical
example is that we hear of a death often that of someone we know, yet
how often do we consider our own time and what will follow? Or a person
who is expecting to travel and how he thinks of nothing but his
journey, what to take along and how best to prepare himself? Therefore,
we should be most prepared for the future.
Gambisara
would like to clearly state that he did not harbor any grudges against
any person within the Freedom Newspaper family, but just airing
personal opinion. Please do no take it personal, because as Muslims, we
should remind one another at some point during our association.
Have something to ponder over. Will be back on Wednesday with the Youth Sector.
Editors note:Gambiasara thanks for your observations. This paper will never deviate from its mission statement. We are not here to witch hunt people, but to report the truth and nothing but the truth. People should distinguish what news and what is not news. Opinions expressed by your veryself and other contributors of this leading paper are not ours. It's yours and not that of the Freedom Newspaper. We cannot be held liable for opinions of our readers and contributors. It is your God given right to express your views in a true and democratic country. Gambians should do away with this culture of so called libel and defamation suit. The people accused by Freedom Newspaper opinion writers are as well free to come and defend themselves. We are not preventing them from being heard. At Freedom, we believe in free expression. We are very responsible and would not hesitate to censor messages that are not in the public interest. We are very aware of the fact that freedom of expression goes with responsibility. We shall safeguard the said responsibility at all times. Thanks for the observations.