'Yahya Jammeh gave SIC Power to ban People'- Imam Fatty

Former President Yahya Jammeh's Imam Abdoulie Fatty has today appeared before the TRRC on grounds that he was adversely mentioned by several witnesses that he triggered  their arrest, unlawful detention and torture as well, said former president Yahya Jammeh gave the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) the power to ban scholars from preaching.

However, prior to his testimony, he was reluctant to swear by the Quaran and there was a little argument between him and Lead Counsel, Essa Mbaye Faal until Chairman Dr. Lamin J Sise intervened and told him that he was the 204 witness since the proceedings started and nothing will make the commission to change it procedures.

At this juncture, he complied and swore to the Quaran. Thereafter, Faal told him that he is expected to testify his relationship with Yahya Jammeh, his relationship with the Ahmadis, statement he uttered against Ba Kawsu Fofana, Dr. Dumbuya and Omar Fofana, the arrest of Sheriff Muhideen Hydara, they will also looked at the staments he made on the death row inmates executed in 2012, Statements he made against Imam Baba Leigh and what subsequently what happened to him, the arrest of Journalist Pa Modou Faal and the Siyaa Sect, Supreme Islamic Council and its Structures as well as his utterenaces while at State House as an Imam.

Imam who was born in Borayaa Village and got Masters Degree on Islamic Studies, said in August 1995, he was appointed as Imam of State House; adding that being an Imam at State House is just like any other Imam.

He said late Landing Sanyang ane was part of the Commitee which was responsible of asking whether the Junta should stay in power for two or more years and Lamin Karba Bajo told him that they wanted an Imam at State House and his mind touches him.

Mr. Fatty testified that after his elders consented, they went to Interior Ministry and Bajo told him that they needed an Imam at State House and asked him how much he was going to be paid but he told them hence it was the cause of Islam he wouldn't demand for payment.

He said his relationship with Jammeh was not only between an Imam and a follower; adding that their relationship was between a boss and a worker. He said he was not influencial to Yahya Jammeh on the side of religion, noting that summons is for all even those unborn.

" I want made a summoned in reference to Yahya Jammeh but it was banned and it never came out of TV/Radio because it was not pleasing to him."

He added that not all of his summons were aired, especially those that were sensitive. "I did not against Yahya Jammeh I advised him," said the Imam.

At this juncture, Faal reminded him that he earlier told the Commission that he was not an Adviser to former President but he said current President Adama Barrow, had a religious adviser which Jammeh did not have before. 
On Supreme Islamic Council, he said late  Alhagie Sorry-Ba Gassama formed the Council after he had a tour in the entire country in 1992. He said Supreme Islamic Council was former because it was alleged that all the Arabs Money was  going to the Maglis (Dara) and they suggested to form one Institution to work with government to enable them support Islamic Education.

Continuing with his testimony, Faal told him that SIC is a Private Club because it has no Legislative Standing and had no authority over any individual but Fatty said the Council don't do any other thing than advising.

Fatty explained that even as an advisory body it was established by law but was set up by individuals.

Counsel Faal further intimated to him that SIC was not a State Institution but Fatty told him that SIC was the body responsible of affairs between the State and the people. He finally agreed that it is not a State Institution; adding that it only coporate with government and had authority over people by monitoring Islam in the country.

He said individuals in Islam must know what to say and what to do, adding "noting that someone was interpreting the Quaran and the Hadith in a way by misleading Gambians and you are saying that we don't have the right to stop that person."

He cited a Hadith and interpreted it by saying that if you see something forbidden try and remove it with your hand or preach about it.

However, he Faal told him that SIC don't have the mandate to use force on People.

"On the application of force is only applicable by the State. On SIC was banning preachers they did not like, Faal said.

The Imam clarified that the government was not intervening on the side of religion but SIC was given that power by the former President.

Mr. Fatty testified that if instructions came from the President and it is not against Islam and would foster peace, he said then there is no problem to intervene and stop it.

"We should obey our leaders in Islam," he testified. However, Faal put it to him that the instructions they executed was wrong but he said that could only be answered by Yahya Jammeh.

Faal asked, Do you accept when you implemented Yahya Jammeh's order to band people?" Fatty responded in the positive; adding that the authority is from the Quaran.

In another question whether it matter to him that the instructions were lawful or unlawful?

Fatty told the commission to asked Yahya Jammeh, which Faal responded that they will not asked Yahya Jammeh. He put it on him that he was the one testifying, however, Fatty said they were not aware that it was unlawful.

At this juncture, he was asked to look at a statement and confirmed whether it was his, which he did. He said Council was instructed to monitor preachers and what they preach and also provides them with a permit. He added that they wrote to all Radio Stations informing them that no one should be allow to preach without a permit. 
He said what they did was lawful but Council intimated to him that neither him nor Yahya Jammeh were unlawful in what they did.

Faal further told the witness that Gambia is not an Islamic State, neither is it govern by the Sharia law.

However, Imam Fatty told the Commission that majority of Gambians lives by the Quaran and even used it in Marriages and other religious activities or affairs.

However, Faal told him that it cannot be extended in the system of governance but Fatty said it is a man made law.

Faal said both Islam and Christianity should look at the laws before they are implemented or applicable in society.

In his statement, Fatty accepted that he did stated that it was the responsibility of SIC to unite Muslims to pray and fast on the same dates.

On Yahya Jammeh wad involving himself in their work, he responded in the negative. 

Mr. Fatty testified that to fast and pray with Yahya Jammeh on the same day did not emanate from Jammeh but instead they were only mandated by Jammeh to monitor and band preachers.

In his statement, he said Yahya Jammeh never interfere with their work.

On the issue of Pop Benedict, and asked him whether he agreed with what was stated in that letter written by prominent Muslim Scholars responded to the said Pop.

The 38 Scholars that signed the letter stated about the Principle of one God and the love for the neighbor, which he accepted.

On how many Sects are in Islam, he said Islam is one religion but the way the manifestation are done may defer.

According to him, Siyaa is a group and the difference between them and the Sunni is that they said they have Quaran different from the Holy book and had even remove some part of it; adding that there is difference in the principles.

However,  the religious cleric denied attacking or banning the Siyaa people in The Gambia but it was revealed to him by Counsel that it was published in 2008 that Supreme Islamic Council band the said sects.

Did you denounced them?,  quizzed Counsel. "If you speak the truth you did not denounced them, says Fatty."

Lead Counsel  Faal, further puts it to him that neither him nor the government have the authority to stopped the Siyaa from practising their religion.  However Faal told him that it was not limited to the Siyaa only but to the Ahmadis as well.

Fatty finally accepted that he is among those who said that the Ahmadis are Kafirrs.

Imam Fatty further testified that he never stated that the Ahmadis should be taken to McCarthy Square and be killed but rather what he said in 1997 was for them to go on debate either at McCarthy Square or Independent Stadium.

He agreed that he did say that the Ahmadis should be band.