Under
the auspices of the Khalifa General of Kerr Mama Alh Ahmad Cherno Jallow and
Dara Jamatul Amma, in collaboration with Dairatul Amma, the 7th Annual Islamic
Conference was recently held at Bakoteh.
The
conference was graced by the Khalifa General of Kerr Mama, Kalifa Mam Cherno
Dem of Njie Kunda, government officials, traditional leaders, National Assembly
Members, venerable religious leaders and a large cross section of people from
different sectors.
The
conference started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by the talibes of the
Dara Jamatul Amma and Sikarr and a Quranic recitation by Muhammed Darboe and
Mariama Njie of the Dara.
The
guest speakers were Dr Abubacarr Senghore and Imam Baba Leigh on the topic of
Islam and democracy, moderated by Alh Mama Jallow (Alh Gaman) from the Hadratul
Mamiya of Kerr Mama.
Dr Abubacarr Senghore earlier dilated on the
topic, saying, Islam has certainly become a central issue in today’s world
politics.
“Religion
in general cannot deny political components, tendencies and impacts,” he said.
He added that there has always been an interconnected relationship between the
two fields of human social action with an interchanging predominance of each,
driven far sometimes; even as far as a complete absorption of one by the other.
“At
the first sight, it seems to have operated at the same time as a modern
ideology, able to unite social movements against uncalled for domination. As an
archaic construction it has reduced its adherents to a state of
underdevelopment and barbarism,” he said.
“It
is our duty and ethical responsibility as scholars to fight against the
propagandist, caricaturist mode in which Islam is treated for political
purposes by other representatives of power-politics and economic and military
imperialism,” he continued.
He
stated that most analyses of Islam cannot avoid the tendency of cultural
essentialism, on one hand, or, on the other, of a marxist or materialist
historical determinism and evolutionism.
“The
first denies Islam its capacity for change. After conceptualizing an ideal
type, the essentialists try to reduce the whole Islamic world and history to
their own construction Islam is visualized as having one and the same impact
wherever and whenever it meets whatever society; particularly in a democracy,”
he said.
In
conclusion he stated, “These theoretical foundations form the main structure
for the maintenance of a bipolar system in international relations.
Nonetheless, Islam as a religious composition does preferably call for a
democratic system.”
For
his part, Imam Baba Leigh also dilated on the topic, saying, “Islam is a
practical religion which does not allow tyranny as far as democracy is
concerned.”
“Islam
is a religion which was not satisfied with teaching the ideal of fraternity and
equality to its adepts. No! Islam did not cling to a theoretical and isolated
education of its doctrine,” he stated.
“On
the contrary, Islam trained its believers to make use of Islamic principals in
their everyday life; it educated and exercised them to strictly observe them in
their activities,” the Imam said.
The
objective of the Islamic Conference, according to the Khalifa General of Kerr
Mama, was to reflect back on the principles of democracy in Islam for the
public to understand that power belongs to the people, coupled with maximum
discipline and tolerance “which is the baseline if any aspect of sustainable
development is to be realized,” he added.
Imam Alh Mustapha Jallow recited the Kadmull
Quran, while the Khalifa General of Kerr Mama closed with prayers for the
country, president, government, sub region, the world and to all and sundry for
peace, progress, betterment, good health and prosperity at all times.
