By all accounts, the late imam of Pipeline Mosque lived a full and fulfilled life. Imam Mass Jah was about 74 years when he departed this world for the great beyond. By the time of his death, he had left his footprints in the sands of time. He was a devout Muslim who, as enjoined by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), sought knowledge from the cradle to the grave. At a tender age he went across the border to neighbouring Senegal in search of knowledge. His insatiable thirst for knowledge took him further a filed to Morocco, Sudan and Egypt where he immersed himself in Islamic studies and other academic disciplines.
As a lover of knowledge, he taught at Crab Island School and Muslim High School, where he imparted knowledge to the younger generation most of whom are now in commanding positions in society. Among his long list of accomplishment of social value was the establishment of the Sheikh Mass Kah Islamic Foundation that boasts of a Koranic school, a junior school and a senior secondary school, all of which are thriving for the betterment of society.
As a family man, the late imam is blessed with highly accomplished children who are influential in business, medicine and other sectors of the economy. At least in The Gambia, the name Jah is synonymous with entrepreneurship. No-one could have asked for more.
It was no surprise therefore that people from all walks of life converged at his family home at Pipeline last Friday to pay their last respects to this great man who had in one way or another had changed their lives for good. Among the dignitaries at the funeral was Her Excellency Ajaratou Isatou Njie-Saidy who represented the President of the Republic.
His life should serve as a lesson to others that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others. That is the only way that one can find true meaning, happiness and fulfillment in living. It is by helping others to realize their potential that humanity can move forward in harmony and concord and contentment.
We mourn with the Jah clan on the passing of their venerable father, brother, uncle and husband and grandpa. But we urge them to take solace in the fact that he lived a worthy life devoted to the advancement of humanity. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
"It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time."
Samuel Johnson.