By: Nyima Sillah
Q-Group Foundation recently organized a national Quranic recitation competition final at a mega religious ceremony held at Q-City.
The conference aims to promote recitation of the holy book and reinforce the propagation on Islamic in the country.
Muhammed Jah, chairman of Q-Group expressed delights and prayed for the participants and all everyone for their efforts on to make the day successful.
“I prayed that Almighty Allah bestow blessing on you (participants). Today, Q-Cell did not bring us here but we are here for these children (competitors) and we are all happy with them for their nice recitations and they have cooled our hearts,” he expressed.
He expressed appreciation and recognised the presence of the SIC and all religious leaders at the national event saying the new leadership of Supreme Islamic Council under Sheikh Essa Darboe has done beautiful work in the country.
He prayed that Allah bestow his blessing on the leadership of SIC and the entire masses to ensure sustainable peace in the country. “I also thanked them for their efforts on propagating Islam in the country,” he said.
Jah said considering the nature of the Gambian society, especially in the month of fasting (Ramadan) one will know Islam is deeply propagated in the country. This, he said, has been attained owing to the efforts of Islamic scholars in the country.
The telecom tycoon went further to thanked President Barrow, his cabinet and all government officials for giving utmost respect and honour to the Islamic religion.
“The work we are doing is possible due to the peace and stability of the country. No one has censured us on any of our activities. The Gambia government definitely honoured Islam,” he said.
He commended Star TV and Paradise TV stations for providing live coverage for the annual Islamic conference.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the awful condition of some of the Arabic Schools (Daras) around in country and said there is a greater need for Gambians to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to work on improving the state of all Arabic educational institutions.
“Whether Amana or Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) but we should have an umbrella body that would monitor the situation of the Arabic School. I think this is lacking in the Gambia and sometimes, even if we want to help “Daras’ ‘ we find it difficult to get a correct database of daras,” he said.
However, he announced that Q-Group has disbursed a one million dalasi so that religious leaders would establish a committee that will monitor and coordinate all Arabic educational institutions.
Sheikh Essa Darbo, President of SIC commended the chairman of Q-Group for his immense contribution to strengthen recitation of the Holy Quran as well as reinforcing the Islamic religion in the country.
“Let’s pray for him so that Allah protects him, sustains the good job he is doing for Muslims and the Islamic religion,” he called for prayer for him.
He further prayed to Almighty Allah to bestow his blessing on the chairman of Q-Group. “May Allah give him good health and protect his businesses.”
However, he urged all, especially the imams to patronize Q- Group by purchasing their sim cards.
Meanwhile, Winners of the competition were given D50, 000, D75, 000 and D100,000 respectively while all regional participants were given transport refunds to their various regions.