Please allow me space in your newspaper to comment on an issue that has generated so much debate in our country and beyond – homosexuality. The crime of homosexuality is one of the greatest of crimes, the worst of sins and the most abhorrent of deeds, and Allah has punished those who did it in a way that He did not punish other nations. It is indicative of a violation of the fitrah (innate disposition), total misguidance, weak intellect and lack of religious commitment, and it is a sign of doom and deprivation of the mercy of Allah. We ask Allah to keep us safe and far from such a corrupt and disgusting unnatural behaviour. Allah said in the holy Qura’n: ‘And (remember) Lut when he said to his people: ‘Do you commit worst sins such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Âlamin (mankind and jinn)?’ [Surah Al-A’raf 7:80] ‘Verily, you practice your lust on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sin)’ [Surah Al-A’raf 7:81] And the answer of his people was only that they said: ‘Drive them out of your town, these are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!’ [Surah Al-A’raf 7:82]. Then we saved him and his family except his wife; she was of those who remained behind (in the torment) [Surah Al-A’raf 7:83] And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). Then see what was the end of the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and sinners).’ [Surah Al-A’raf 7:84]
The foregoing is a solid indication that the existence of lesbian, gay bi-sexual and transgender people (LGBTs) is not a new thing but just a revival of an old habit which took place during the times of prophet Lut. Allah did not test anyone with this major sin before the people of Lut. He punished them with a punishment that He did not send upon any other nation. He combined all kinds of punishment for them, such as destruction, turning their houses upside down, causing them to be swallowed up by the earth, sending stones down upon them from the sky, taking away their sight, punishing them and making their punishment ongoing, and wreaking vengeance upon them such as was not wrought upon any other nation. That was because of the immensity of the evil consequences of this crime which the Earth can hardly bear if it is committed upon it, and the angels flee to the furthest reaches of heaven and earth if they witness it, lest the punishment be sent upon those who do it and they be stricken along with them. The earth cries out to its Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, and the mountains almost shift from their places.
Furthermore, the companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wasallam) agreed unanimously that homosexuals are to be executed, and none of them differed concerning that. Rather, they differed as to the method of execution. In this hadith narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas (radia Allahu ‘anhu), the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhe wasallam) said:
“Whoever you find doing the action of the people of Lut, execute the one who does it and the one to whom it is done.”- reported by Tirmidhi 1456), Abu Dawood 4462 and Ibn Maajah 2561.
Gays and lesbians both go against the natural disposition (fitrah) which Allaah has created in mankind – and also in animals – whereby the male is inclined towards the female, and vice versa. Again, Ibn ‘Abbaas (radia Allahu ‘anhu) in another hadith narrated that, Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“May allaah curse the one who does the action of the people of Lut, may Allah curse the one who does the action of the people of Lot,” three times. –reported by Ahmad 2915.
Finally, the prophet cursed those who do a variety of major sins, but he never cursed any of them more than once, but he repeated the curse for the homosexual three times. The spread of homosexuality has caused many diseases which neither the east nor the west can ever deny existed because of them. The only result of this perversion is Aids, which attacks the immune system rendering the sufferer vulnerable to other illnesses.
Babucarr Jobe,
Serekunda
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St Joseph remembers Mr Mendy and Sister Annne
Dear editor,
Parting is sometimes described as sweet sorrow and we must accept it as inevitable. As we part with Mr Joseph Mendy and Sister Anne, we feel obliged to see them off with a tribute. Mr Joseph Mendy popularly known as Mr Mendy in Saint Joseph Senior Secondary School has been a big tree that provided shade when it was sunny and fruits that satisfy our hunger when we are hungry. Leaving Saint Joseph’s therefore is like the big tree has fallen. As a person, Joseph Mendy is humble, down to earth, humorous and friendly. As a colleague, he has been stern and does not mix matters. He was strong enough to separate working relationship from friendship. These are attributes for which M Mendy will be remembered. As he leaves St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, we wish him all the best and a safe journey through his new station of life.
The girls will miss him most for despite his firmness and sternness, he related with them well-being their friend when there was need and their teacher and guide at all times.
Sister Anne, like Mr Mendy maintained a cordial relationship with colleagues and would be remembered for her sense of humor and laughter which even the walls of the staffroom will miss. Sister Anne Lansana has been a real custodian of the girls-guiding and counseling them. She was caring and loving to them but at the same time a strict disciplinarian with a zero tolerance attitude to indiscipline. Unlike Mr Mendy who has decided to go to the farm, Sister Anne is returning home to continue teaching and she is wished all the best and we pray that God gives her the strength to overcome the challenges teachers are confronted with in this generation of rebellious and defiant youths.
To the duo, we want to assure them that although we have parted physically we shall remain together in spirit bound with the inspiring legacies they have left behind. Farewell Mr Mendy, farewell Sister Ann. Adios amigos, God bless you.
Salieu John
St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School
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