By Mustapha Jarju
Sheikh Essa Darboe, president of the Supreme Islamic Council has called on Gambians to unite for peace amid election period.
The top cleric’s call comes two days to the country’s presidential election with five opposition politicians challenging President Adama Barrow on due 4th December.
Speaking during a peace dialogue with a youth group on the nation’s electoral circle held at the council’s headquarters in Bakau, he noted that “Peace belongs to everyone and everybody need peace because every benefit behind peace is everyone`s concern. Therefore, the stability that is existing in the country we are all benefitting from its shadow and God forbids any hardship that comes we all going to face the consequences,” he told the group.
Imam Darboe called on youths to remain peaceful and urged them protect the unity among them saying peace is a success for the nation and anyone living in it.
“If it comes to peace youth are the major target to advise therefore if the youth stoop up by themselves to speak about the maintenance of peace their fellow youth will listen to that,” he added.
“Election will come and go and after all we will be the ones to sit together as friend and family, secondly Islam has taught us that anything that you do in this world you will be judge for it therefore any bad deed you do in this election you will be asked for it in the hereafter, god will individually judge people not the political party and a single word can put you in hell likewise speaking good word can take you to Jannah,” he preached to them.
Meanwhile, Rohey Sanneh, a member of the group, said: “youths have come together and be soft to one another to fill the gap of success, if this gap is not filled even if you go up to apex you will fall down and question on how you spend your youthful age. We need to consider our elders what they have done and follow their footsteps because the younger generation will also learn from their successor who are the youths today.”
“There is no perfect human being but your action should be a positive impact on other people more especially when it comes to peace issues because we are one people and elections will go but the Gambia still remains,” she added.