The Committee chaired by Alhagie Mam Sait Njie embarked on a fund raising campaign for individuals, business entities, private and public institutions and from Gambians in the diaspora. The Committee successfully raised enough funds to initially purchase this vehicle that is being launched today. A second vehicle has been ordered and is expected to arrive in the country in the coming weeks.
Mr Njie attributed the success of the fundraising effort to the active involvement of all committee members, emphasising their collective dedication. He thanked all those individuals, institutions and businesses that generously contributed to this important venture. He also thanked CFAO for all the extras they did on the vehicle. Special thanks and appreciation was extented to the Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs Hon Hamat Bah for supporting the application of a duty waiver for the vehicle, by writing a letter to the Finance Ministry to grant the request.
“This is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together for a common purpose,” he affirmed. The van, he added, will serve as a valuable resource for the community, ensuring dignified and timely funeral arrangements.
The mosque’s foundation President Mustapha Kah shared insights into the fundraising process, emphasising the importance of unity. “Togetherness is everything; it makes things better,” he appreciated all, praising God for making their efforts successful and expressing gratitude for the support and appreciation they experienced throughout the process.
He highlighted the significant milestone achieved, noting they now have two funeral vans. Considering the substantial amount of money required, he attributed their success to divine intervention, saying: “With the help of God, we were able to overcome the challenges.”
Alhaji Kah prayed for abundant blessings upon the vehicles, with the hope of utilising them to serve the community effectively.
Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda of the Kanifing Municipality, thanked and congratulated the Pipeline Mosque Foundation for this laudable initiative. He said this kind of service should have been provided by the municipality, so he is sincerely grateful to the Mosque that they are providing social services that ideally is their responsibility. He went on to say that the Council was not aware of the fund raising initiative, they would have contributed. In any case it might be late for the coming year but the Lord Mayor promised that he will ensure they make provision in their 2026 budget funds to purchase an additional funeral van for the municipality. The municipality is a big area and a second van will be needed to adequately serve some areas that might not have immediate access to this vehicle.
The occasion was graced by state officials, imams and senior statesmen and women, such as Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs Minister Hamat Bah, Africell’s Chief Executive Officer Siam Diaba, Pa Dodou Mbye, Alagie Masamba Jobe, Alagie Pa Saidy Njie, Imam Baba Leigh, Imam Bassirou Drammeh, Imam Mbye Chow , Imam Falou Joof and other personalities.
