By Yero Jallow
Imam Baba Mucktar Leigh of the Kanifing Mosque (The Gambia) was our guest on Gainako Radio. The veteran Imam who recently received two human rights awards from the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders and DUGA-DC expressed delight and gratitude for the prestigious awards. During a recent interview with the Uk-based International Business Times (IBT), the veteran Imam was quoted as saying, “My responsibility, as a Muslim and as a scholar, is to ensure people enjoy their human rights, regardless of colour, race, gender, religion, tradition, economic status or anything else.”
The veteran Imam discussed some of the political hypocrisy that consumed the Supreme Islamic Council and vehemently decried about such societal hypocrisy which is sinking a decent society like the impoverished West African country –The Gambia. During last year’s executions of 9 death-row inmates in the Gambia which drew so much local and international outcry and criticism, Jammeh used some of the puppet Imams to justify the executions on Gambia Radio and National Television. The veteran Imam said that the executions cannot be justified morally and religiously. He cited verses from the Holy Quran to support his argument.
In reacting to the current debate on Tribalism, the Imam challenged all to move onto other useful things worth our salt, as the Gambia is one big family. The Imam positioned that for any that prides his country, you must ask yourself what to do for your country. The Imam utilized the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Imam Karamo Touray of Brikama, the exiled Imam Ba-Kawsu Fofana and host of others who fought tooth and nail to ensure societal righteousness is observed.
Imam Leigh who is also an executive member of GAMCOTRAP, an organization that is involved in enlightening and putting a stop to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) maintains that the practice does not have any root from Islam, rather it hails from “jealousy” among women in polygamous marriages during the dark (jahaleeya) period.
In responding to some of his critics about having studied electrical engineering and not Imamship, the Imam said degree certification and having knowledge are two different things. He cited Sheikh Amadou Bamba, the late Imam Abdoulie Jobe and host of other respectable Imams who didn’t bag the so-called degrees but contributed immensely to society.
The interview was moderated by Gainako’s radio host and political commentator Demba Baldeh.