Baba F. Trawally, head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in The Gambia, has called for religious tolerance and justice in society.
“So today as Muslim and people of other faiths, if we want to live in true peace and harmony, witness progress and prosperity, we should observe religious tolerance and deal justly in all our dealings,” he said during the Ahmadiyya Muslim Students second edition National Peace Symposium held at Masroor Senior Secondary School at Old Yundum.
He says there is a need for all to put aside religious, ethnic, tribal and political differences and unite as a people of one nation and live side by side as a family as true brothers and sisters.
“Let us love our brothers as we love ourselves. Let us love and not hate; let’s make life easy for each other and not make it difficult,” he said.
He urges all to support anyone who needs help regardless of his religious beliefs. “We should always come forward to lend a supporting hand and help. That is humanity and that is what religion preaches.”
He said that in many parts of the world people blame religion for the conflict that are happening in many places. Looking closely and examining the teaching and the messages of all the prophets and messengers of Allah, he said, one would realise that no prophet preached violence, disorder or wars, as messages of all the prophets were peace, and unity.
“Uniting the world under the banner of the unity and oneness of our Creator, Allah the Almighty; that is why all prophets of the Almighty Allah preached tolerance and true justice because it is through these principles that the world can observe and witness lasting peace and harmony.
Amir Trawally further calls on all to preach good things and demonstrate the true spirit of religious tolerance, and deal justly.
“Let us not insult the religious leaders of any faith and let us respect our elders in the society and give them their due,” he advises, saying: “The elders should also show true love and care to the younger ones and continue guiding them to the right path so that tomorrow the future will be bright and we will continue enjoying the peace we have today.”
Speaking on the role of students in peace and justice in society, Halimatou Dibba, guest speaker, said that to ensure peace and social cohesion in society there must be an end to injustice.
There is a need for all to respect differences in society and human rights, she added.
Also speaking on peace and justice, Father David Jarju said both Islam and Christianity believe in one God and His oneness.
However, he warned there is a need for all to be careful with different perceptions, calling on all to treat one another fairly.
Samba Sowe, president of Ahmaddiyaa Muslim Student Association, said the differences of religious beliefs should never be a factor to breach the peace in any given society.
He reminded that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) preached to Muslims not to hate one another and further preached that no tribe or race is superior to the other.
Sowe further commended all and sundry for attending the second edition of the forum, while thanking the association members for their hard work.
