By Omar Sabally
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at-The Gambia recently handed over food items and cash to six more disaster victims of fire and last year’s flooding in the Kanifing Municipal. Each of the six disaster victims went home with two bags of rice, sugar, onion, cooking oil, and a cash amount of one thousand dalasis.
Speaking at the presentation convened at Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at base in Tallinding, Mr. Baba F. Trawally, Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in The Gambia, said Prophet Muhammed {SAW} urged “us to always try our best to assist and give to the needy”, which was why they extended a helping hand to the disaster victims.
“We should open our arms to the needy with whatever small we have”, the head of Jama’at in the country stated, adding they should always come together to assist not only disaster victims but also the poor and needy in their society.
Amir Trawally further enjoined,“Let us give and share our wealth, properties and whatever we have, with the poor and needy.” He commended KMC Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda and and his Council staff for having the interest of their people at heart.
While thanking Allah for sparing the lives of the victims of the said disaster incidents, the Amir also prayed for Allah to ensure the peace and stability that the country is enjoying would always flourish and be maintained.
He advised Gambians: “Peace cannot be taken for granted. Let us do everything to keep peace and also ensure justice prevails, because without justice there cannot be peace.”
The KMC Award Councillor for New Jeshwang-Ebo Town Ward, Mr. Habib M.L.Ceesay, who deputised for the Mayor of KMC, described the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at as “the savior of the country and humanity”.
According to Ceesay, people must emulate the Jama’at in supporting humanity, as he thanked the Jama’at for always coming to their rescue as a Council, to fulfill their promises made to their electorate.
Councillor Ceesay admitted that the municipality is vulnerable to disasters, and therefore, they need to come up with sensitization mechanisms.
Mr. Bubacarr Fofana, KMC Disaster Coordinator in his remarks said Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is a household name, and had been intervening in so many areas by helping humanity. He appealed to religious and other organisations to emulate the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, positing if organisations and philanthropists emulated Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, almost all disaster victims in the country would get assistance.
The Disaster Coordinator made it clear that the National Disaster Management Agency and Government cannot support all disaster victims in the country, reasoning that’s why it’s important for those with the wherewithal to come on board to assist the victims.
Fofana used the moment to advise the public to be careful with fires knowing that we cannot live without it.
He patted the Jama’at on the back for the gesture, while urging the beneficiaries to use the items for their intended purposes.
Mr. Lamin Dibba, Councilor for Bakau Ward reminded that disasters could happen at any time and to anyone. Dibba said the gesture couldn’t replace the losses of the victims, but he intimated it would go a long way towards the sustainability of their families. “Food is a necessity”, the Bakau Councillor underlined.
Mr.Ebrima Jammeh, a fire disaster victim speaking in a somber tone of voice, thanked the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at for the assistance extended to the victims.
Another disaster victim Ms. Fatou Joof, observed, “If we have many people like the Ahmadiyya in the country, The Gambia will soon develop.” She thanked the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in the country for the support.
