The Ahmadiyya community in The Gambia on 22 April 2011 held its 35th Jalsa Salana known as annual convention.
The convergence at the Nusrat Senior Secondary School in Bundungka-Kunda was attended by participants from across the country and beyond.
In his address to members of the Ahmadiyya faith, Amir Baba F. Trawally said Jalsa Salana started 120 years ago in the remote village called Qadian in India, attended by 75 saintly men.
He noted that Jalsa Salana had been described by the holy founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at as one of the branches of the revival of Islam.
“We can all observe that the world is caught in a chain of moral injustice thus the numerous conflicts and crises facing the world,” he said.
Moral injustice has left the world in moral degradation and turmoil, Amir Trawally said, adding that high standard of morality should be uphold to attain peace in all walks of life.
Mr Trawally pointed out that morality is a universal concept, although it may vary among people.
“But basically it is the doing or saying things on their appropriate occasions, place, time, and manner,” he added. “If these principles are lacking in thought and actions, man is reduced to the level of the lower animal and acts in any manner deemed fitting. That is why, Allah the almighty says in the Holy Qur’an that he has created man in the best and balanced manner but by virtue of his action he is reduced to the lowest of the low.”
Amir Trawally urged people to learn the higher morals of self-discipline, restraint, contentment, humility, and selflessness.
He further advised believers to be tolerant, obedient, and righteous in order to bask in the sunshine of peace.
The Governor of the Lower River Region, Lamin Waa Juwara, told the gathering that he had a long-standing relationship with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.
He recognised their contribution in the education sector, saying the Jama’at had contributed “significantly” to the education sector.
For his part, the Majority Leader of the National Assembly, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, highlighted the purpose of the gathering saying it sought to derive and give knowledge.
The knowledge, he says, is the key to success in life. “Islam is peace, and if the youth adhere to the teaching of Islam, one can say the future of The Gambia will always be bright,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking at the closing of the programme on Saturday, 23 April 2011, Hon. Jatta thanked the Jama’t for inviting him.
“As we are all from one Adam, we should unite and work together as brothers and sisters in peace and brotherhood,” said Imam Ratib, in his address on the occasion.
In his closing address, Amir Trawally drew the attention of the participants to the importance of morality and modesty.
The Holy Prophet advised Muslims to be humble in all their dealings, he said, while encouraging believers to be courageous and to do away with immoral behaviours.
