By Modou Sarr
The Majlis Ansarullah, the elderly men’s wing of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in The Gambia, on Friday opened its three-day 19th National Ijtema at the Tahir Ahmadiyya Senior Secondary School in Mansakonko, Lower River Region.
The annual convention brought together male members aged 40 and above from across The Gambia and the sub-region under the theme, “Love of One’s Country Is Part of Faith.”
In his opening address, Kemo Sonko, Sadr (president) of Majlis Ansarullah in The Gambia, said the theme underscored the importance of patriotism, justice, compassion, honesty and service to humanity, values he described as consistent with Islamic teachings.
He said that love for one’s country should be reflected in acts of kindness, service and a commitment to the welfare of fellow citizens.
“Allah the Almighty loves goodness and benevolence towards His creation. Therefore, if we want to be loved by Allah, we need to love our country,” he said.
Mr. Sonko urged members to demonstrate their love for Allah and the Prophet Muhammad through responsible citizenship and contributions to national development.
Citing an example from Islamic history, he recalled how the Prophet Muhammad provided assistance to people in Mecca during a period of hardship despite the hostility he had faced from some of its inhabitants.
He said the example demonstrated that people’s knowledge, skills and resources should be used not only for personal benefit but also to promote peace, national progress and the welfare of others.
Mr. Sonko added that members of Majlis Ansarullah had a responsibility to uphold the rights of fellow citizens, fulfil their civic duties and practice their faith with sincerity.
He highlighted the contributions of three prominent Ahmadis whose public service, he said, illustrated how faith and patriotism could be combined to serve humanity.
They included Sir Farimang Singhateh, who served as The Gambia’s governor-general from 1966 until the country became a republic in 1970; Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, Pakistan’s first foreign minister, who later served as president of the United Nations General Assembly and president of the International Court of Justice; and Professor Abdus Salam, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who served as chief scientific adviser to Pakistan’s president.
Mr. Sonko urged members to emulate these personalities by pursuing knowledge, maintaining integrity and strengthening their faith to serve the country and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Deputy Police Commissioner Ebrima Jallow, who represented Police Commissioner Mustapha Ndong, said the theme was particularly relevant as the country prepared for the December 2026 presidential election.
He said patriotism extended beyond displaying the national flag or celebrating Independence Day, stressing that it required a commitment to peace, unity, development, respect for the rule of law and assistance to people in need.
“If you love your country, you need not ask what your country is supposed to do for you, but rather what you have contributed to uplift your country,” he said.
Mr. Jallow urged elderly citizens to coexist peacefully despite their differences and contribute meaningfully to national development.
He also called on members of the public to cooperate with the police by reporting suspicious activities and unusual movements to help prevent crime and maintain public safety.
As the country approached the elections, he appealed to religious leaders and citizens to pray and work for peace, noting that stability was essential for elections, public gatherings and the continued education of children.
Ustaz Yusuf Camara, who led the delegation from Guinea-Bissau, prayed for the success of the convention on behalf of his country’s missionary in charge.
He said the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Guinea-Bissau maintained close ties with its counterpart in The Gambia, explaining that the former had developed from the foundations laid by the Gambian Jamaat.
The opening ceremony began with a recitation of the Holy Quran by Abdurahman Jawo, featuring verses on the creation of humankind and the importance of recognising one another, with righteousness presented as the key measure of a person’s standing before God.
The ceremony was attended by Naib Amir and Missionary in Charge Qustaz Mahmoud Ahmad Tahir, Naib Amir II Alhagie Sekou Omar Dibba, Buba Jarju, officer commanding the Lower River Region Fire and Rescue Service, and senior members of the Jamaat.
The convention was scheduled to continue on Saturday and conclude on Sunday.
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