(Tuesday 8th February 2011 issue)
African Muslim Agency has opened a new mosque in
The Kerr Sait Maram village mosque, officially opened on 5 February 2011 in Niani District, Central Rural Region North, was attended by hundreds of Islamic scholars and dignitaries from government as well as representatives from the donor agency.
In his inaugural speech on the occasion, Abubacarr Ceesay, poject coordinator of Africa Muslim Agency, said the agency has been working in The Gambia for 30 years.
“Our principal objective is to support and promote the teachings and learning of the Holy Quran and to strengthen the religion of Islam at all levels,” he said.
The agency has constructed a number of mosques, as well as provided boreholes across the country.
“We are here to support the Islamic community with mosques and safe-drinking water,” Mr Ceesay said, adding that before they intervene in any community, there is a criteria that must be followed part of which is that the beneficiary community must be able to control and mange the project.
For the mosque of Kerr Sait Maram, he noted, the construction started in November 2010 and was completed in January 2011.
The mosque has been completed and it is well equipped with wall clocks, loud speakers and modern doors, he added.
He also revealed that the construction of the mosque cost his agency thousands of dalasis, and it has the capacity to accommodate about three hundred (300) worshippers at one go.
For his part, the Imam of the Village, Alhagie Dam Sallah, hailed Africa Muslim Agency for the laudable gesture.
“It is Allah the Merciful who will reward the agency for the laudable initiative,” he said, saying that Islam is a religion that everyone should follow.
The alkalo of the village, Bai Dam Sallah, said that already a mosque committee is being constituted to manage the new mosque.
“We have a mosque farm and the proceeds from the farm shall be used to support the activities and programmes of the mosque,” he said.
Alkalo Sallah further appealed to NGOs, governments, and philanthropists to provide a fence for the mosque for security reasons.
The ceremony was characterised by a recitation of the Holy Quran, preaching and sermons in the name of Allah.
Alieu Lowe of Africa Muslim Agency led the first Friday prayers marking the official opening of the new mosque.
