The donated items included 120 25kg bags of rice, 120 10kg bags of sugar and 120 5-litre gallons of oil, distributed to various Muslim communities in Upper Fulladu in CRR and greater Banjul Area.
Speaking during the distribution of the foodstuffs to the beneficiaries, the chairman of CHRO, Momodou Lamin Jarju, said he was delighted in receiving in The Gambia the delegation from Belgium to donate foodstuffs to their Muslim brothers in the country.
Mr Jarju thanked the donors for their love and interest in supporting the needy in The Gambia, especially in the month of Ramadan.
Even though the two countries are far away from each, he noted, the donors decided to share with the poor and needy in The Gambia.
“We are very grateful to the donors for coming up with this token of rice, sugar and oil,” he said. “These items will go a long way in addressing some of their basic needs, as it was a major problem for some of the beneficiaries to buy these items for their families.”
Mr Jarju also used the opportunity to thank the Gambia government for creating an environment conducive for foreign investors to come and support their Muslim brothers and sisters in The Gambia.
He also spoke about the importance of the month of Ramadan, saying it is one of the four pillars of Islam, “thus caring and sharing is key in this holy month of Ramadan”.
One of the beneficiaries, Sally Senghore, representing Muslim Girl Association in Wellingara, described the gesture as very important and timely, saying: “We are in need of these items. We therefore commend the donors and show appreciation for this donation; it is a big thing to us.”
Omar Drammeh, a beneficiary who represented Mother Salvage Nursery in Jamisa, also commended the donors for traveling from Belgium to The Gambia to share with their Muslim brothers and sisters in the country.
Speaking at the various distribution points, IHH-Belgium Organization’s Secretary General Ekrem Delialioglu gave an overview of the organization.
“This is an international organization that believes in caring and sharing with our fellow Muslims,” he said.
The organization is also giving support to people in other parts of the world, he said, adding: “The Prophet [Muhammad] (S.A.W.) says in the Quran that all Muslims are one family.”
Mr Delialioglu said he was delighted to come to The Gambia to give support to Gambian Muslims as part of their Ramadan gifts for the year 2015.
IHH-Belgium Organization is supporting not only Muslims but also Christian communities across the world, he disclosed.
For his part, the Secretary General of CHRO, Alagie Jawo, thanked the Almighty Allah for receiving the Ramadan gifts from their fellow Muslims through IHH-Belgium Organization.
Mr Jawo said the items would go long way in addressing some of their food needs “as many find it difficult to have daily meal with good ingredients”.
We thank the Almighty Allah for this benevolent gesture,” he added.
Another beneficiary Alagie Cherno Essa Jallow of Samba Tacko village said the donation was a “big surprise” to them.
“We are in need and they came to support us; we are praying for long life and good health for all the members, and wish the organisation continued prosperity in serving humanity,” he said.
Amadou Jallow, also a beneficiary, expressed appreciation over the donated items and thanked the donors for considering Gambian Muslims in a month of Ramadan.t
