Speaking to The Standard on the eve of the congress, Ebrima Jarju, the deputy president for propagation and proclamation on Islamic issues (dawah and fatwah) also responsible for mosques in the country disclosed: “We have eleven executive positions to be filled at the congress. Then this eleven man executive will select 39 people to help them in their work making it 50 in all. There will be fifteen representatives from each region.”
In a letter sent to The Standard, the council said the congress “will draw participants from all the regions of the country to discuss, debate, resolve, consolidate and circulate Islamic values and teachings. Since the council’s establishment in 1992, it has sought to encourage and promote among the ummah an ethical commitment to life based on the principles of Islamic theology. To this end, the congress affords us the opportunity to groom and cement our solidarity of belonging to a single faith, as well as provide the forum for a national discursive [sic] engagement which brings together scholars, thinkers, students and the general devotees of Islam for enlightening discussions.”
When asked whether he and his executive will seek a second term in office, Alhaji Momodou Lamin Touray stated: “We have set up a special committee on that issue. I cannot comment on that but you can contact Sheikh Ismail Badjan who is responsible for and has information on that. I am traveling and have not yet reached my destination.”
The last time GSIC went to congress it was marred by controversy sparking fierce rivalry between outspoken cleric Bakawsu Fofana and Mommodou Lamin Touray as well as the State House imam, Abdoulie Fatty.
By Sainey Darboe
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