Background
Sheikh El Haj Omar Fye’s birth was predicted by the venerable Sheikh Omar Foutiyu Taal from Fouta Toro Senegal upon his visit to The Gambia hosted by Ebrima Fye (Father of Sheikh Omar Fye). Hence was hosted as a stranger and was very pleased with the dignified hospitality he was given, he then disclosed himself as the ‘Waliyu’ (Saint) spoken of in his generation and Prayed for the Fye Family to be Blessed and excel in Future before he proceeded to Gunjur to continue his Mission. He attended Muhamedan Primary School and was a strong believer in self – teaching. Thus, made him profoundly literate in English Language and Arabic Language respectively. In The Gambia, he was very successful in business and politics and had won the hearts of Banjul community who considered him as an icon and went further to extend his business engagements in Njawara in present day North Bank Region of The Gambia, Kuntaur, present day Central River Region of The Gambia, Farababanta, present day West Coast Region of The Gambia among others.
Philanthropic Activities
His quest for compassionate gestures towards the vulnerable led him to consistently render support and assistance to the poor, the needy, the vulnerable and orphans in the city of Banjul. I am elated to say that this does not only stop in Banjul but other parts of the Gambia and abroad including Ghana, Nigeria and Sierre Leone up to few months prior to his death and had to return to The Gambia from Sierra Leone due to a deteriorating health condition in 1959. Every Friday and Muslim feasts he used to give out sadaqa (charity) and annually gives out Zakat (annual charity). In some instances, he waved debts for many and more specifically he used to indiscriminately provide rams to be sacrificed by Muslims during Eidhul Adha (Tobasky). This is an undisputed fact that many Banjul Elders have attested to including the Late Alhaji Mansour Njie, a renowned journalist and historian of the then Radio Gambia present day GRTS. He was an exemplary leader in every sense of the word. This made him got admiration from non-Muslims alike because of his selflessness and passion for the well-being of humanity at large.
Statesmanship and a Role Model
Sheikh El Haj Omar Fye’s birth was predicted by the venerable Sheikh Omar Foutiyu Taal from Fouta Toro Senegal upon his visit to The Gambia hosted by Ebrima Fye (Father of Sheikh Omar Fye). Hence was hosted as a stranger and was very pleased with the dignified hospitality he was given, he then disclosed himself as the ‘Waliyu’ (Saint) spoken of in his generation and Prayed for the Fye Family to be Blessed and excel in Future before he proceeded to Gunjur to continue his Mission. He attended Muhamedan Primary School and was a strong believer in self – teaching. Thus, made him profoundly literate in English Language and Arabic Language respectively. In The Gambia, he was very successful in business and politics and had won the hearts of Banjul community who considered him as an icon and went further to extend his business engagements in Njawara in present day North Bank Region of The Gambia, Kuntaur, present day Central River Region of The Gambia, Farababanta, present day West Coast Region of The Gambia among others.
Philanthropic Activities
His quest for compassionate gestures towards the vulnerable led him to consistently render support and assistance to the poor, the needy, the vulnerable and orphans in the city of Banjul. I am elated to say that this does not only stop in Banjul but other parts of the Gambia and abroad including Ghana, Nigeria and Sierre Leone up to few months prior to his death and had to return to The Gambia from Sierra Leone due to a deteriorating health condition in 1959. Every Friday and Muslim feasts he used to give out sadaqa (charity) and annually gives out Zakat (annual charity). In some instances, he waved debts for many and more specifically he used to indiscriminately provide rams to be sacrificed by Muslims during Eidhul Adha (Tobasky). This is an undisputed fact that many Banjul Elders have attested to including the Late Alhaji Mansour Njie, a renowned journalist and historian of the then Radio Gambia present day GRTS. He was an exemplary leader in every sense of the word. This made him got admiration from non-Muslims alike because of his selflessness and passion for the well-being of humanity at large.
Statesmanship and a Role Model
THIS WAS BOARDCAST ON BBC RADIO 12TH MAY, 1937
Sheikh El Haj Omar Fye, being a Member of the Legislative Council of the then Bathurst, present day Banjul was nominated to attend the crowning of King George, the sixth (Father of the Late Queen Elizabeth) of Britain in 1937. He was indeed received with a tumultuous welcome as a Statesman per excellence by the British and was given a silver award as a symbol of appreciation. His charisma was unique. He advocated for the proper functioning of the Royal Victoria Hospital, now Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital and was among the pioneers of Bansang Hospital. Thus, rendered philanthropic support as well.
He succeeded in getting his children who were in Medina Baye to memorize the Quran of which Sheikh Abdoul Wahab Fye was the first. Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly.
Diplomacy
Upon his pilgrimage to Mecca, he was considered by the then King Faisal as his Special Guest and convinced him to stay with him for a while before returning home. In those days with was very uncommon for one to be accorded such dignified privilege. It is vital to note that his passion for diplomacy played an invaluable role in strengthening his relationship with Alhaji Abdoulie Nyass (Father of Maulana Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass). His admiration for him led to his comfortable and timely take-off stage in diplomacy. As he was residing in The The Gambia yet having a fruitful tie with him, the French and of course the British Colonial Government per se. This led to more trust and confidence building as Alhaji Abdoilie Nyass do not just perceive him as his Scholar (Talibe), but his son. It was at this juncture that he wrote Sheikh Haj Omar Fye a letter requesting him to purchase land in Leona, Kaolack and was done accordingly.
His was indeed a Blessing and an honour. This continues in Nigeria with Sultans, in Sierra Leone with the Chiefs, Distinguished Politicians like the Late Honourable Sanusi Mustapha and of course led Prayers in Fula Town Mosque in Freetown, in Kono hosted by Chief Kamacheinde where he led Prayers at the Muslim Jamaat Mosque and became one of the Pioneers of a School where he instructed his Late Son El Haj Mohamadul Hafiz Fye to stay and be with the school and continue his Mission shortly before his return. He established relations with Muslims in Bo, Kenema and Makeni among others. He also succeeded in encouraging many people to convert to Islam in The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. This was indeed a milestone.
His robust affiliation with Maulana Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse was outstanding and he ensured that his children the likes of Abdoul Wahab Fye, El Haj Sheikh Ahmad Tijan Faye and Sheikh Elhaj Mohamadul Kabir Faye (Confidante of Maulana Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse) all benefited from his Teachings, Mentoring and Guidance. The other children were fortunate to attend prestigious institutions and became successful in life.
On 9th May 1948, a letter was written by Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass inviting him being the Colonial Adviser to attend the opening of the Grand Mosque. He left The Gambia to attend the historic occasion as a Special Guest. However, in 1957, he reciprocated by inviting Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass to witness the arrival of the State Visit of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and this was well appreciated by him, and it further reinforced the diplomatic connection in a triangular form. Thus, Sheikh Omar Fye – Prince Philip – Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass.
He has only one surviving Child (Son) as at now, Sheikh Mohamadul Fatihi Faye who is the current Khalifa and we Pray for his good health, long life and prosperity.
Family Bond
He loved his Family and would always want his Children more specifically to be pious, disciplined and respectful not only to him but the entire human race. He never compromised indiscipline or any form of rudeness from anyone. His wish and expectation throughout his lifetime had been for his children to be educated in either English or Arabic and serve humanity.
Finally, let me hasten to say that this is just a synopsis of his career and personality and therefore not exhaustive. He was a Nationalist and a fervent believer with an outstanding personality. He died on 12th December 1959 and since then Annual Quranic recitation is done in his honour to offer Prayers at his residence in Fyen; 74/75 Dobson Street in Banjul. We Pray for ALLAH to Grant him Janatul Firdawsi and all the deceased. May ALLAH Continue to Bless his Family and the UMMA at large.
By:Sheikh Omar Hafiz Fye (Grandson and Namesake)
On behalf of the entire Family
December 2025
On 9th May 1948, a letter was written by Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass inviting him being the Colonial Adviser to attend the opening of the Grand Mosque. He left The Gambia to attend the historic occasion as a Special Guest. However, in 1957, he reciprocated by inviting Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass to witness the arrival of the State Visit of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and this was well appreciated by him, and it further reinforced the diplomatic connection in a triangular form. Thus, Sheikh Omar Fye – Prince Philip – Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass.
He has only one surviving Child (Son) as at now, Sheikh Mohamadul Fatihi Faye who is the current Khalifa and we Pray for his good health, long life and prosperity.
Family Bond
He loved his Family and would always want his Children more specifically to be pious, disciplined and respectful not only to him but the entire human race. He never compromised indiscipline or any form of rudeness from anyone. His wish and expectation throughout his lifetime had been for his children to be educated in either English or Arabic and serve humanity.
Finally, let me hasten to say that this is just a synopsis of his career and personality and therefore not exhaustive. He was a Nationalist and a fervent believer with an outstanding personality. He died on 12th December 1959 and since then Annual Quranic recitation is done in his honour to offer Prayers at his residence in Fyen; 74/75 Dobson Street in Banjul. We Pray for ALLAH to Grant him Janatul Firdawsi and all the deceased. May ALLAH Continue to Bless his Family and the UMMA at large.
By:Sheikh Omar Hafiz Fye (Grandson and Namesake)
On behalf of the entire Family
December 2025
