Fityaanu Sidqin Islamic Association holds congress

Hundreds of Muslims from Senegal and The Gambia at the weekend gathered at Nema Nasir village in Western Region for the annual congress of Fityaanu Sidqin Islamic Association.

The event, according to officials, was organised under the leadership of Sheikh Ousman Jawo, founder and leader of the association.

Speaking to journalists shortly before the congress, Sheikh Ousman Jawo said they are operating in both Senegal and The Gambia. He said the purpose of the congress was to discuss and strategize a work plan for the next six months, including the budget for the association.

He said he was delighted at the warm welcome accorded him and members of the entourage from Senegal, noting that the association was establish to preach and promote Islam among young people across the sub-region.

According to him, the organization was legally registered in the Gambia and Senegal since 2005 as a charitable organization, and has a membership of more than 2000 youths across the two countries.

He said to participate in nation-building the association had signed a memorandum of understanding with some key partners such as the ministries of education, health, and agriculture.

Since it was established in 2005, the association has made numerous achievements in the two countries, he said.

"The organisation has established three Islamic schools namely, Alpha Yerroba Islamic Institute in Medina, Senegal, Sheikh Ebrima Nyass Islamic Institute in Nioro, Senegal, and Saida Fatima Islamic Institute in Latri Kunda Sabiji, The Gambia," he said, disclosing that apart from the schools, there are 15 daras in Senegal and The Gambia from which over 200 students are sponsored by the association.

According to Sheikh Ousman Jawo, the association "has never got any funding from anywhere", adding that their funds had been coming from the farms they cultivate in The Gambia and Senegal.

"We cultivate coos, millet, maize, groundnut, among others, and the proceeds from the farms are what we use to sponsor needy students and support the association’s activities," he said.

For his part, the guest speaker on the occasion, Sheikh Bai Jasseh, also spoke at length on the importance of the congress. Islam is the religion of Allah; it has five pillars and its teachings enlighten young people about the importance of Islam, which is propagated by Fityaanu Sidqin Islamic Association.

He encouraged the gathering to intensify their worship of Allah, while commending the founder Sheik Ousman Jawo for his initiative saying "he is a true Muslim" who should be emulated by all and sundry.

Other speakers on the occasion included Sheikh Omar Cham, who stated that "plans are under way to expand their activities to Guinea Bissau and Mauritania".