By Landing Ceesay
The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC) has called for peace, security and stability ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.
“The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council calls on Gambians, home and abroad, to avoid all verbal or actions that may become a potential source of disturbance of the prevailing peace and stability in our country more so during these days of presidential campaign and election. All must strictly abide by the moral teachings of our religion to maintain the bond of Islamic brotherhood, preserve the rights of neighbours and protect individuals and public properties.
“No development can be realized in the absence of peace and security. The absence of these indispensable fundamental values could be a potential cause of situations where lives could be lost, fear, unrest and chaos will become the order of the day; injustice will reign upon the people, robbery and bloodshed will become rampant, rights will be violated and no one would be secured even in his/her home, streets, mosque and office,” the GSIC said in a statement.
The Islamic Council also stated that peace and stability are the greatest and the highest boon that Allah has bestowed preferentially upon His servants.
“Peace and stability are the greatest and the highest boon that Allah has bestowed preferentially upon His servants. None would realize the value or quality of this blessing, except he who has forfeited it. Sufficient lessons could be learned from countries where order and security are broken down. Islam is a religion of peace and stability and strongly calls for its preservation. In furtherance of the realization of these lofty ideals, Islam has enacted rules to guarantee the maintenance of peace, security and stability; and prohibited in the strongest term any action that would threaten or violate the lives and properties of the people. The worst of what a person can do is to hold his Muslim brother in disdain. Unjustly shedding of his blood, tarnishing his honour and destroying his property are prohibited. A true Muslim is he who people are unharmed by his tongue and hands,” the council said in a statement on Thursday.
The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council also urged the contesting candidates to renew their commitment to maintaining peace and stability and have faith in the final decision of Allah, after the announcement of the winner of the election.
The Gambia will be heading to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president for the first time since the defeat of former president Yahya Jammeh, 5 years ago.
Comments are closed.