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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Oct 2006 : 19:47:56
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Its just ARTICLES FOR INTERESTING READING and I don't have no comments or opinions on them.
Its just to generate interests as GAMBIANS are very CRITICAL ON POLITICS AND DEVELOPMENTS AT HOME!
READING them is better than forcusing your attention on *****S AND STUPID arguments!
However ITS DIVERSED OPNIONS coming through OPEN FORUM!
God bless the Gambia! |
Edited by - kobo on 02 Oct 2006 19:51:40 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2006 : 19:50:52
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quote:
Originally posted by kobo
Its just ARTICLES FOR INTERESTING READING and I don't have no comments or opinions on them.
Its just to generate interests as GAMBIANS are very CRITICAL ON POLITICS AND DEVELOPMENTS AT HOME!
That is impossible. By posting them you definitely have opinions on them. Dont deny yourself. You chose them out of many and there must be a reason why you arrived at this decision to post them. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2006 : 19:56:54
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Kondorong those articles should rightly feature under this topic :Gambian Politics.
We need as much information and opinions from Gambians accross all sectors of society. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2006 : 20:02:47
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| i am not saying that the topics were wronly posted. I mean you must have some attachment to a posting to be posted other wise you would not have picked on it. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2006 : 01:40:42
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| Kondorong. I am not attached to any article selected and culled. Its to update this forum with relevant information as they relate to topical discussions! |
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bread man
300 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2006 : 17:13:17
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If you think that there is any religion or tradition that say you should not follow and respect your leaders and elders, you must be living in a state of denial. Because I know you will never face your imam, priest, or village elder with any rude remarks. Such remarks as regarded by the west as democratic. You made a quote from the Quran, but did you forgot about where God said that he is the one selects a leader and he is the one that relieves a leader from that leadership. So if God selects a leader, who are we as ordinary servants of God to disrespect that leader.
quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
quote:
Originally posted by bread man
You see brothers and sisters, Gambia is as democratic as it possibly can. We cannot import the western way of democracy that has only to do with character assassination and rude attacks towards our leaders. Our religions ask us to respect our elders and leaders so let us take our own tradition as the base of democracy. Only in that way can we accept the will of the people. Jammeh is not just an elected president for the Gambia but a man with a good vision for the Gambia. Lets give the man a genuine chance to develop our country.
Ebra
You are really funny. What religion are you talking about which says we should follow our leaders? If you mean Islam, then you are really wrong. In Islamic jurisprudence, laws are not made by leaders but based on Shariah law, which is believed to be a Divine code of conduct just like the Ten Commandments of Moses. Going against the Ten Commandments means going against God not the leader.
Don’t try to confuse us. If you don’t understand Islam, i would advise you to learn more and stop making false statements. That is why the first Holy revelation says: IQRA BISMI RABIKA LAZI KHALAKA, KHALAKAL INSAN MIN KHALAK. (READ IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD…) The prophet even asked Muslims to seek knowledge even if it were to require them to travel to China which 1424 years ago, was an almost impossible journey out of the Arabian Desert.
However in the Gambia, such a situation does not exist because our legal code is not based on Shariah. Gambian law changes all the time whenever the majority wants to change it through elected representatives.
So the system that allows for such a government comes about through a democratic process, which in itself can only survive through divergent views. So if you are saying that we should just follow leaders then you are effectively saying that we should do away with democracy.
Opposing views is the bedrock of any democratic system, which requires citizens to be commanders of their destinies and vote in people who will legislate in the interest of the majority, but who are accountable to the electorate. In fact in a democracy, if any one should listen and follow, it’s the leaders not the citizenry.
Unfortunately in Africa, it’s the citizenry who listen and follow rather than elected representatives. No wonder the objective of every child born on the continent is be a PRESIDENT FOR LIFE. It is an entrenched societal expectation to succeed at the expense of every one else. A typical traditional saying which is well common in the Gambia is: FULANG DANNA, FAADING DANNA. (This translates: the one who has succeeded and is ahead of his age mates and his half brothers.)
Talk to Gambian griots that are the custodians of our culture. In fact to hear this said, attend a naming ceremony or some social function and someone who is a “big shot arrives” with an air of arrogance. He or she is met at the gates and escorted by Griots saying such words. You might lose your seat if that person has none. Some willingly give up their seat even though he is late or some are forced to give up their seat. No wonder many young men risk their lives as boat people trying to reach fortress Europe because at home they do not matter. So next time you hear of stories of people venturing the high seas, think about their frustrations. The very saying quoted above is a common scene all over the continent, and therefore, when any one becomes president, it is termed as though it were his/her “turn” to enjoy for life.
It is in fact one of the very basis for leaders to perpetuate themselves in power for life. It does not teach humility but personal advancement. It will not be a surprise that the “big shot” has close family who are struggling to put food on the table whilst he dishes out money at such ceremonies.
I think we should stop blaming the presidency, which is a microcosm of the society in general. Unless we change our societal norms to be more responsive to the need of the community, we will always be producing endless self-centered leaders in Africa. It does not matter who would have won the elections, it would have almost been the same old thing. Old wine in new bottles. After all, it’s the wine, which is important, and not the bottle.
Regarding our traditions, unfortunately we had no democratic institutions in the Gambia. Our chiefs, Village heads, religious leaders were never elected. It was always hereditary and they stayed for life. So both the religious and traditions you quoted are out of place.
I stand to be corrected.
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It is the mark of intelligence to entertain an idea without accepting it. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2006 : 19:27:55
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quote:
Originally posted by bread man
If you think that there is any religion or tradition that say you should not follow and respect your leaders and elders, you must be living in a state of denial. Because I know you will never face your imam, priest, or village elder with any rude remarks. Such remarks as regarded by the west as democratic. You made a quote from the Quran, but did you forgot about where God said that he is the one selects a leader and he is the one that relieves a leader from that leadership. So if God selects a leader, who are we as ordinary servants of God to disrespect that leader.
You still taking Islam out of context. The leaders that God chooses are religious leaders and not political leaders. The Imam for example is someone you should listen to because he brings you closer to God. The Priest, Rabbi, or Pastor for example are people who bring faith in our lives and as such are leaders we should honor in so far as religion is concerned.
However, in a democratic system of government where individuals make laws, such laws do not have to have any compliance with religion. Therefore, it’s a worldly thing whilst religion is about more important things than power, position, greed etc. In fact the seven great sins in Christianity includes greed.
Lets look at the law of inheritance for example. None of the laws regarding Intestate Estates in the Gambia have any bearing on Shariah. Therefore, Islam only obligates when it comes to religion and not politics.
You seem to confuse traditions and Islam. The two are very different and unfortunately in the Gambia, there is hardly any clear-cut line.
God has said that if He were to make it legal for human beings to worship any one apart from him, it would have been legal to worship one's parents. However, it further goes to clarify that if your parents ask you do anything that contravenes Islamic law, then you are free to refuse. For example asking you to buy alcohol for them.
Islam is a religion and not a government in the Gambia. In an Islamic state like Saudi, both religion and government are the same. In such governments, it is obligatory to follow the leader because laws that are introduced do not contradict any Islamic principles of Sharia.
How ever, in the Gambia, there is state legalization of Gambling, Night Clubs, selling of alcohols, no requirements for HIJAB, you can sell and eat pork, you can choose to not get married in an Islamic tradition, you can make a WILL regarding inheritance to your children which is not possible under Islam. You cannot will to any one whom under Islamic law MUST INHERIT BECAUSE IT AMOUNTS DOUBLE INHERITANCE.
Tell me brother what is very Islamic about Gambia other than the five daily prayers and which in fact you can choose not to do as a Muslim; continue to have your shop open during prayers no problem., drink alcohol as a Muslim, gamble as a Muslim with no problem.
The leaders Islam talks about for Muslims to follow are religious leaders like our Imams because they speak only of faith and how to bring us closer to God. When it comes to politics please don’t bring in religion. That is a worldly thing.
Your line of thinking does not surprise me because it has been used in Gambian politics to gain votes. Because God chose the leader already and hence why even campaign. This is a threat to democracy and that’s why politicians invoke Divine interventions to justify why we should obey them. The leaders we are OBLIGATED to obey unfortunately are religious leaders not greedy politicians.
Why should they invoke God’s name when they don’t do what God has asked us to do. In fact there is a separation of religion and government in the Gambia otherwise, we would have been under Shariah.. So tell that God chose them to disobey HIM. The problem with many Muslims is the non-understanding of pre-destination and many have used it to their advantage just like you said that God chooses leaders and wondered why should any one say some thing against them. Well in a democracy, God does not choose leaders but people elect leaders. Therefore Gambia being a democratic country, having opposing views is a good recipe for genuine democracy.
Under Sharia law there are no options. Take it or leave it. In a democracy, you can change the law to suit you any time the majority wants.
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