The initiative was borne out of growing concern over the undignified state of funeral transportation in Banjul and the Kanifing Municipal Council, where aging and unfit vehicles were frequently used to transport deceased from hospitals to mosques and cemeteries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Alhagie Mam Sait Njie, chairman of the Joint Fundraising and Procurement Committee of the Pipeline Mosque Foundation and Banjul Muslim Elders, said the community could no longer accept the distress caused to grieving families by repeated vehicle breakdowns during funeral rites.
“As a community, we recognised that the condition of funeral transportation was unacceptable. These vehicles often broke down during sacred journeys, dishonouring the memories of our departed loved ones. Our deceased deserved better, and as a religious community, we knew we had to act,” he said.
According to Njie, the fundraising exercise exceeded expectations, reflecting the deep compassion and collective responsibility of the community. Out of the total amount raised: GMD 2,237,805 was used to procure the first funeral van for Pipeline Mosque, which is already operational. GMD2,480,038 was spent on the second funeral van for King Fahad Mosque, which was officially handed over during the event. GMD19,168 covered financial and administrative charges.
A remaining balance of GMD409,345 will be shared equally between Pipeline Mosque and King Fahad Mosque to support operational costs, including insurance and maintenance for the coming year.
Njie extended heartfelt gratitude to all donors, describing their contributions whether large or small as a lasting form of Sadagah Jariyah.
Special appreciation was also expressed to CFAO for facilitating the procurement process, and to the Ministry of Local Government and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Finance for granting duty waivers, significantly reducing the overall cost of the project.
He further acknowledged the dedication of the fundraising committee, particularly the Secretary, Alhagie Badou Senghore, for ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process, as well as the Treasurer and the executive members of the Pipeline Mosque Foundation for providing administrative and institutional support.
The Minister of Local Government and Religious Affairs, Hon. Hamat N.K. Bah, who served as the special guest of honour, commended the people of Banjul for their unity, hospitality, and inclusive spirit toward non-Banjulians residing in the city.
The minister urged ward councillors to prioritise the procurement of funeral vans in their budgets over the next two to three years, stressing that such services are essential community needs. He also called on imams to promote peace, unity, and tolerance in their sermons, and appealed to institutions to extend support to vulnerable communities, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
Hon. Bah praised the Pipeline Mosque Foundation and the Banjul Muslim Elders for their foresight and commitment to social welfare, noting their contributions not only to funeral services but also to the health sector and prison services. He also thanked the relevant ministries for facilitating the duty waivers that made the initiative possible.
Providing further clarification on service charges, Alhagie Ma Samba Jobe stated that the funeral vans operate on a non-discriminatory basis, with a standard fee of GMD1,500, while transporting bodies from the airport costs GMD3,000.
Meanwhile, Alhagie Modou Senghore, Vice Chairman of the Banjul Muslim Elders, emphasised that the initiative is not profit-driven but is meant to complement the efforts of municipal authorities in serving the community.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for continued unity and blessings, as community leaders expressed hope that the initiative would set a lasting example of collective responsibility and dignity in service to humanity.
Mustapha John, representing Access Bank, said the bank was pleased to support the acquisition of the two funeral vans and reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration.
