International marabout Sheikh Abdoulie Wilan of Senegal has praised President Adama Barrow’s commitment toward the development of Islam for the benefit of the country and its populace.
Sheikh Wilan was speaking at a press briefing with the local and international Media about his annual conference and Gamou held at TaibaNyissen in Foni Bondali.
“When I came to Bondali to set up my own village, I spoke to the chief that all my reasons to settle here is to learn and teach others. Still now I am on that course, is not that Gambians did not learn from me but I have to complement their efforts towards the acquisition of knowledge,” he said.
He then stated that the President’s wife Fatoumatta Bah Barrow has visited them and appreciates their efforts. He added that he has trust in the new government because they want to work for the betterment of the country and Islam as well.
He calls on the government to help them build the road between Bondali and TaibaNyissen, and to help complete their Arabic schools with the required equipments.
Bakary Sanyang, the governor of West Coast Region (WCR) explained that the Sheikh’s settlement in his region has boost on many opportunities for both elders and the youths.
On buttressing the relationship between Senegal and The Gambia, he said that the two countries are the same, adding “the two countries were divided by our colonial masters but we share the same languages, cultural values and religions. With that, I would talk with the president to support the people with their difficulties mentioned because no one can pay you for teaching the youths and elders in the West Coast Region.”
Babacarr Cham, a student of Sheikh Wilan explained that the village of the sheikh was founded in 1999. He added that the Sheikh came to The Gambia to help disseminate the words of Allah to the people.
He explained that before the sheikh founded the village, some people were living there but they ran away because of jinns [dwarfs] but after 13 years, the Sheikh came and settled without further disturbances of any living things.
“He built the village Madrassa in 2005 to help disseminate the words of the Holy Qur’an. He built more than 200 Arabic Schools and 530 Madrassa in Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea Bissau.’”
He also said that the Sheikh used to pay all the teachers in his Madrassas, saying he did that because of the love he has for the prophet and the Islamic body in general.
Author: Saidou S. Baldeh
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