Assalamo
Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuhu
PRESS
RELEASE FROM THE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JAMA’AT, THE GAMBIA
On
Saturday, 19th October 2019, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the Gambia, hosted
the 2nd Peace Conference Africa at The Kairaba Beach Hotel. This was the second
of its kind, the first having been held in Ghana in 2018.
The
theme for this year’s peace conference was ‘The Islamic Solution to World
Peace’. Mr. Karim Asad Ahmad Khan QC,
Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, was the Keynote Speaker for
the Conference.
Mr.
Khan Quoted extensively from the Holy Qur’an, the Ahadith of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad of Islam (Peace and blessings be upon him), the writings of the
Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (AS) and his successors. He spoke of the
Qur’anic teaching of equality of human beings citing Ch. 49 verse 14 which
talks of the creation of tribes and subtribes but then says that we are all
equal and the most honourable in the sight of Allah is the one who is high
righteousness.
He
quoted the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), especially the Farewell
Sermon which spoke of the equality of men regardless of race, tribe, gender or
nationality. He said that had the world followed the instructions of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we would have been rid of wars and strife.
He
spoke of the current Spiritual and Supreme head of Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim
Jama’at, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V Mirza Masroor Ahmad(May Allah be his Helper)
who delivers speeches and lectures in various parts of the world on the subject
of peace. He said the Khalifa continuously calls for the promotion of justice
in international relations saying that it is the only way to attain world
peace.
The
Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, The Gambia, Mr. Baba F. Trawally called
for peace and unity in the world. He called on all and sundry to promote a
peaceful and harmonious coexistence knowing that it is only in peace that there
can be development.
He
highlighted the Ahmadiyya Muslims Jamaat’s role in the drive to promote world
peace and justice stating that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at’s global drive to
spread the message of Peace is not something new and we are grateful to Allah
Almighty to say that our beloved and supreme head His Holiness Hazrat Mirza
Masroor Ahmad is Championing the Global Drive for the attainment of not just
world peace but for the realisation of the observance of the rights of each
individual and also for global justice.
The
Honourable Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, Mr. Ebrima
Sillah delivered a message on behalf of the President of the Republic of the
Gambia, His Excellency Mr. Adama Barrow. He reiterated Government’s stance on
promoting peace and progress through good governance. He registered the
Government’s acknowledgement and appreciation of the efforts of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Jama’at in the areas of education, health and agriculture. He assured
the participants of the Gambia Governments readiness to continue working with
the Jama’at in the interest of the peace and progress of the Gambia.
The
Chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) Justice Cherno Sulayman
Jallow also spoke on the need to be united and work together to chart a course
for the progress of the country. He spoke of ways and means to eradicate social
injustices which are mostly the cause for conflicts in the world.
The
Lord Rt. Rev. James Allen Yaw Odico, Bishop of the Anglican Church of the
Gambia, Senegal and Cape Verde also spoke at the event calling for
interreligious dialogue in the world. He quoted from the Bible to show how all
mankind should love one another to attain peace.
The
Imam Ratib of the Kanifing Mosque, Imam Baba Leigh who is also a commissioner
in the National Human Rights Commission of the Gambia also spoke at length on
the teachings of the Holy Qur’an on the equality of mankind in the sight of
Allah. He called on everyone to be tolerant and accommodate divergent views. He
said each should respect the views of others for us to live in peace and
harmony.
This
year’s Africa Peace Prize winner was Dr. Evan Atar Adaha of Sudan. Dr. Atar,
52, is the senior and only surgeon at Maban Referral Hospital, a 120-bed and
two-theatre facility in Bunj, in the south-eastern corner of South Sudan’s
Upper Nile State. The hospital, more than 600 kilometres from the capital,
Juba, is the only functioning surgical facility in Upper Nile and includes a
neonatal section and a 20-bed tuberculosis ward. Open 24 hours a day, it serves
a population of more than 200,000. Dr. Atar is so well known that many just
refer to it as “Dr. Atar’s Hospital”, and patients travel for days so they can
be under his care.
A
Christian by faith, Dr. Atar, who is fluent in the region’s main language,
Arabic, prays with patients before they are put under anaesthetic and,
according to their religion, recites the Bible or the Koran. Dr Evan Atar Adaha
is dedicated to bringing health care to the neediest in a tense and volatile
region of South Sudan. It is with this dedication to serve the people that he
has been chosen as the winner of the 2nd Africa Peace Prize 2019.
The
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at wishes to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to
all those who took part in the organization of the conference. It also wishes
to thank all the participants.
May
Allah, the Almighty grant the world peace and stability. May He bless us all
with His Choicest blessings and grant peace and progress to the Gambia and
world at large. Ameen.
Wassalam
Yours
Sincerely
………………………………………..
Baba
F. Trawally
Amir
