The Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya the Gambia (the Ahmadiyya Muslim Male Youth Association the Gambia) recently concluded its 28th annual national Ijtema (convention) which was held at Masroor Senior Secondary School, Old Yundum from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th December 2011. The purpose of the convention is to bring together Ahmadi youth from across the country to discuss moral, social and spiritual issues affecting youth and to inculcate in the youth the love of Allah Ta’ala and His Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and also to develop the spirit of love for one’s country and service to humanity.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Youth and Sports Honourable Sheriff Gomez, Mr Kawsu Fadera—Senior Assistant Secretary said, “Youth are the fundamental pillars on which a national future progress and prosperity greatly anchor. An economically and socially advanced nation must have a productive and vibrant youthful population as a major engine of growth of development process.” He stated the full participation of youth in the development process cannot be enhanced without proper investment to enable them overcome the development challenges. He said that it is in accordance “… with the government’s policy for youth development that the Ahmadi youth, in particular this convention, has a planned focus and direction to enhance the entrepreneurial skills and competencies of youth.”
In his closing address the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at the Gambia, Baba F Trawally said that the moral and spiritual condition of the world is deplorable and the young have adopted behaviours foreign to Islam. He said that the Holy prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) had brought a unique moral and spiritual revolution and the youth should show gratefulness to him by bringing in themselves complete moral and spiritual reformation. He said that modesty is a part of faith and we all have a moral responsibility of uplifting the moral status of the society. He called on Ahmadi youth to be shining examples of honesty, integrity, truthfulness and trustworthiness. They must be regular reciters of the Holy Qur’an and ensure that they practise every one of its teachings.
Earlier in his opening address, the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association Mr. Tahir Ahmad Touray, said that man must employ his God-given potentials meaningfully in order to attain his worldly and spiritual aspirations. He said that one of the enemies of youth is laziness which he described as “precedent to failure”. “Laziness,” he said, “is disobedience to the law of nature thus leading to the punishment of nature. The youth have the strength to accomplish any mission if and only if the potentials are well utilised. Those who disbelieve this natural law through laziness by believing that success comes overnight have been described by the Holy Qur’an as someone following a mirage thinking it to be water. When he finally reaches it, he finds it to be nothing and then he meets his full reward of sorrow and grief. Allah Almighty has created us in the best image by endowing us with great strengths. If we fail to explore them, He reduces us to the lowest of the low”. He emphasized that laziness is condemned by Islam and it (laziness) is a “latent poison in youth”. He concluded that the misuse of potentials and strengths renders them impotent and our dear nation desires us to be productive. Therefore every moment of our lives must be meaningfully spent.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Touray said that in the contemporary age the Islamic pillar of Salat is not accorded the attention it deserves while it is the only means of protecting us from the evils of the generation. He said that Salat is the source of happiness and cleanses the soul of all impurities. It nourishes the spirit in the same way that physical food nourishes the body. He enjoined the youth to be regular with the Salat and no activity should let them become lazy in performing it.
Other speakers at the convention were Ustaz Syed Saeed-ul-Hassan Shah, Mr. Momodou Kalleh, Mr. Nurudeen Bah, and Mr. Ebrima Kijera who delivered speeches on memories of the Beloved; the Youth of Today: the Pride of Tomorrow; the Path to Success; and Islam: the Source of Global Peace.
The convention was marked by academic and sports competitions. It was attended by 415 participants from across the country.
May Allah Almighty continue guiding and protecting us in the execution of our noble duties and responsibilities.
Aameen.
