I personally have a very high sense of respect for elders including all Islamic Scholars regardless of their divergent views; but I won’t tolerate any irresponsible act or statement from any disgruntled persons aimed to deliberately discredit us, the source of our treasure (Tallinding Islamic Institute) and our Islamic Scholars in this manner.

Mr. Yaffa, I’ll first remind you of a poem of Imam Shafi’e, may Allah have mercy on him, he said,

صن النفس واحملها إلى ما يزينها

تعش سالما والقول فيك جميل

“Do kindness to your soul and hold it to that which purifies it;

You shall live in peace and towards you, shall be beautiful words”

But since you failed to do this, then get ready for the consequences!

1. Momodou Lamin Yaffa said, “Our eminent Islamic scholars were brainwashed in Saudi Arabia with the “Saudi version of Islam”, as he calls it, and the same time he said “the Mathhab (school of thought) of Imam Malik is what we found here and we should uphold to”

Mr. Yaffa, in case if you don’t know, Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, was born in Saudi, studied in Saudi, taught in Saudi, died and buried in Saudi Arabia.

So, where is the origin of his Mathhad?

The Prophet (A.S) was born in Saudi Arabia, lived, died and buried in Saudi Arabia. He said (A.S), even when the world is witnessing the greatest fitnah as the major signs of the end of time, Dajjaal won’t enter Makkah and Madina.

If the “Saudi version of Islam”, as you call it, is distorted and extreme, where would you find a better version of Islam?

2. Mr. Yaffa said, our Eminent Islamic Scholars, whom he referred to as “Wahabis” are “threats to our national security and peace and therefore the Government should be careful of them.”

Mr. Yaffa, from 1981 coup, 1994 coup, 2016 political impasse, all the attempted coups, protests/demonstrations and all other conflicts that could potentially turn this country, the Gambia, into a war zone, have you ever seen or heard any of our scholars involved? Can you bring any tangible evidence of criminal records of these scholars?

If those who perpetrate these conflicts are not seen as threats, how could those who tight their belts to put an end to some of these conflicts and restore peace be seen as threats?

3. Mr. Yaffa continued to say that Tallinding Islamic Institute is where most of those he sees/calls threats are trained.

Mr. Yaffa, from 1963 to date, Tallinding Islamic Institute has been graduating thousands of students from this country and beyond and their graduates continue to do the same. You could hardly find an Institution in this country, be it Islamic or conventional, in which even a single student of Tallinding cannot be found. We contribute our quota in the nation building in almost all works of life.

Can you bring any tangible evidence of your this flimsy claim?

When Tallinding Islamic Institute was established in 1963, how old were you?

Where were you when they were/are making these progresses?

Who have you taught and graduated?

These and so many unfortunate statements emanated from this Momodou Lamin Yaffa.

No wonder, if a retired civil servant wants to be an Islamic scholar, after he failed to continue with his Islamic studies, and he now wants to speak like Islamic Scholars and do what they do, with all due respect, what do you expect to see/hear if not deficiencies and trash?

If angry retired civil servants, Europe and America “Maalang Kotol” converge together willing to speak like Islamic Scholars and do what they do, what do you expect to see/hear from them?

Uncle Momodou Lamin Yaffa, may Allah guide you and us, you have spent your career in IDB for almost 20 years and, Alhamdulillah, you’ve now retired.

Please, for Allah’s sake, you’re advised to devote your time, energy and resources in worshiping Allah and stop waging unnecessary fight with our eminent Islamic Scholars. A fight you shall never win and, I fear for you that “Ekunnoo Kanataa Kuyaa”!

As in your case, all other professions eventually become “Former” and their services are not needed even by the institutions they work for despite the number of years except scholars particularly Islamic Scholars.

They never retired; and the more they live, the more they’re willing to deliver their services and their knowledge and wisdom are needed and sought even more.

You already failed to continue with your Islamic Studies from Morocco and today, when your service is no more needed even by IDB, you now want to be like those who spent, are spending and will continue to spend their entire lives in the field, the Islamic Scholars.

I’ll quote Imam Shafi’e again,

يريد المرء أن يعطى مناه

ويأبى الله إلا ما أرادا

يقول المرء مالي وفائدتي

وتقو الله أفضل ماستفادا

“Human being wants to be granted his wishes;

Allah refuses to give him except that which He (SWT) desires.

Human being says ‘what is for me and what is my benefit’?

It is the consciousness of Allah that which benefits”

As Mandinka proverb says, “Fele Bayi Lugho Wulu Bulo” it will never work for you.

Finally, to our prominent Islamic Scholars, may Allah guide and preserve you all, I’ll reframe the poem of Imam Shafi’e for you as a reminder, it reads:

دعوه يقول بما شاء في مسـبة عرضكم

فسكوتكم عـن اللئيـم جـواب

ما أنكم عــادمون الجــواب ولكن

ما ضر الأسد أن تجيب الكلاب

“Leave him continues insulting your honor;

Your silence towards a blameworthy is certainly an answer.

Indeed, you are not out of the answer; but does it harm a Lion when it ignores Dogs?”

Wa Salam!!!

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