By Adama K. Jallow
The Latriya Central Masjid Salsabil was last Friday inaugurated after a completion of 14 months contract period with a cost of D9,883,000 through Gamleicester trust charity.
The mega project includes the provision of borehole water supply system, fencing of the premises, toilets and ablution facilities, Qur’anic memorization boarding school with living quarters, teachers’ living quarters, kitchens and learning shelter and four shops for income generation to support the running cost of the facilities.
The community was long in need of such a vast Masjid, as the capacity of the previous Masjid built could no longer accommodate worshipers due to the rapid development.
The inauguration brought together Gamleicester delegates from the United Kingdom, government officials, worshipers from the neighborhoods and abroad.
Speaking on the occasion, the founder of Gamleicester trust charity, Yunus Ahmed said the entire complex was sponsored by Fareed Moosa and his family from South Africa as charity “Sadaqatul-Jariyah” for his mother, Hawa Moosa and late father Adam Moosa.
Mr. Ahmed highlighted the significance and rewards attached to building a mosque as stated by Prophet Muhammad S.A.W that “whoever builds a masjid in which the name of Allah is mentioned, Allah will build a house for him in paradise”.
“Myself and the team have examined the progress of the construction from the inception in December 2020 to date,” adding that “our objective was to provide a solid foundation for the community.”
He appealed to the management committee and the community to look after the Masjid and the entire facilities for the betterment of the community.
Alh Abubacar Jaiteh, the project coordinator said that Gamleicester trust charity as an NGO in the Gambia which does humanitarian works and religious activities, includes erection of mosques, Qur’anic schools, food distributions, borehole drilling for rural communities as well as helping poor and needy families.
He said the project registered in the Gambia over two years ago, has built numerous masjids across the nation with other humanitarian interventions.
Gamleicester Project manager, Buba Jammeh said the objectives of the project include bringing Islamic knowledge to the doorsteps of the orphanages by building Qur’anic memorization school and to promote Islam in the communities among others.
The Latriya Central Masjid Imam Ratib, Alhagie Muhammad Salihu Jallow thanked the project members and the sponsors for the gesture while urging the community to further unite as one “Ummah” family with the same objectives as far as Islam is concerned.
Alkalo Ebrima Darboe said that the project was a dream come true for his community considering the fact that this was first time such a mega project was erected in Latriya while he thanked Gamleicester and the sponsors.
The Sermon “Khutba” was delivered by Sheikh Essa Darboe, president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council.
