Thousands Throng Gunjur for Sheikh Omar Foutiyou Ziyara
Tuesday 4th March 2008

By M. Justice Darboe, N. Jawneh, L. Darboe & A. Jabang

The annual Sheikh Omar Foutiyou Ziyara is unquestionably gaining growth in both significance and popularity as could be evidenced by the huge crowds of people and the mechanical herd that invaded the coastal village of Gunjur on Sunday.

Thousands of people from all walks of life and various countries in the sub-region, thronged the holy pilgrimage site on the beach and by the sea in Gunjur for this year’s annual Ziyara characterized by prayers and other important religious rites.

The Senegalese High Commissioner to The Gambia, the Imam Ratib of Banjul, the Secretaries of State for Higher Education, and Religious Affairs, the Khalifa General of Sheikh Omar Foutiyou Foundation, a senator from the Senegalese parliament, representatives from Gunjur Council of Elders, were among the high-profile guests, who attended the religious event.

A contingent of journalists from RTS 1 were also in attendance alongside a local Press corps.

Sheriff Ajay Janneh, the Chief of Kombo South, in assuring guests of a warm welcome to his district, enthused that the people of Gunjur were excited to host yet another edition of the annual Sheikh Omar Foutiyou Foundation organized Ziyara. The gathering, he added, accords both pride and honour to the people of Gunjur.

For his part, the Alkalo of Gunjur, Alhaji Sabach Touray, expressed similar sentiments but went a step further to thank the President of Senegal, Maitre Abdoulie Wade, for allowing his officials to grace the occasion with their presence.

The Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhaji Cherno Kah, also delivered a speech to the gathering, which was described as unprecedented in the history of the annual event. The Imam seized the advantage availed by the ‘great’ assemblage to exhort for peace in The Gambia, the African continent and the world at large. The Imam Ratib, speaking on behalf of Gambian Imams, also offered prayers for the wellbeing of Gambians and the Gambian leader.

Also addressing the religious gathering, Thierno Habib Tall, Khalifa General of Sheikh Omar Foutiyou Taal Foundation, prayed for unity, stability and peace to reign in The Gambia and in all Muslim countries.

The Khalifa General thanked presidents Wade and Jammeh for their roles in the promotion of Islam.

Imam Baba Leigh, Chairman of Sheikh Omar Foutiyou Foundation, and Ebou Taal, Secretary General of the foundation, did not forget to thank all those who have contributed in one way or the other to make the latest Ziyara ‘a total success’. Special mentions were made of the Vice President of the Republic, Paradise Suites Hotel, WICS, Ousu Njie and Ousman Jasseh of Ultrasoft Computing, for their invaluable contributions.

Meanwhile, the 2008 annual Ziyara was crowned by the laying of a foundation stone for a mosque and an Islamic centre at the holy pilgrimage site in Gunjur.