GOLDEN JUBILEE INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY OF THE GAMBIA
The Gambia, by the grace of Allah Almighty, will be celebrating her golden jubilee independence anniversary on Wednesday 18th February 2015. This will be fifty years since the Gambia gained her independence from British rule.
As celebrate this important day in our history, we must reflect on some virtues that unite us as a nation. Regardless of ethnic, racial, or religious differences, we must strive to promote those virtues. The Gambia is renowned for her peace and stability; during the past fifty years of our independence from colonial rule, we have always basked under the sunshine of peace, mutual love and stability. We should make sure that nothing whatsoever endangers that virtue. This could be achieved only if we give preference to the common good to our personal interests. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw), Seal of the Prophets has said that love for one’s nation is a part of faith. This should be the guiding principle for every citizen of every country, Muslim or non-Muslim.
We must also reflect, both collectively and individually, on what we have contributed to the socio-economic development of the country in the past fifty years and what we can contribute in the next years. Let us first of all think of what we can do for our country; not what the country can do for us for if we work sincerely and dedicatedly for the country we shall reap the benefits. Let us be sincere in all our dealings in order to build a healthy nation. Nationhood is meaningless without the sincere commitment, dedication, and selfless service of the citizens to national development. The time of a nation’s citizens should always be devoted to useful pursuits and endeavours. Laziness is a disease and all religions, particularly Islam, have condemned it in the strongest terms. It destroys the vitality and stamina of progress of a nation. Individual laziness results in institutional incapacitation thus crumbling an entire system including a nation.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, invigorated by service to Allah Almighty and service to the creation, has always and will ever contribute its humble quota to national development. On 18th February 1965, that is 50 years ago this year, the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at the Gambia, Maulana Ghulam Ahmad Badhomalhi, also led the Muslim prayer (dua) during the celebrations at the then MacCarthy Square.
The Jama’at has since been a partner in development. This is done solely for earning the love and pleasure of Allah Almighty.
By the grace of Allah Almighty, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the Gambia will ever continue to be in partnership with the Government of the day in the moral, spiritual and socio-economic development of our dear and beloved mother land, the Gambia.
On this happy and historic occasion, we express our congratulations and prayers to His Excellency the President of the Republic of the Gambia, Sheikh Professor Alh. Dr. Yahya A.J. J. Jammeh and the entire country. We have announced for prayers at our mosques and praying centres across the country for this great occasion.
May Allah Almighty make all aspects of this Golden Jubilee Celebrations a great blessing and success and may He shower His endless and choicest favours and bounties upon the country and enable of us to cherish and enjoy the existing peace, security and stability. O Allah Almighty on this auspicious occasion, shower Your benign Grace, Mercy and Protection upon our dear and beloved country, The Gambia and her people. Ameen.
Wassalam
Yours Sincerely
Baba F. Trawally
Amir
