Yusuf Sonko in a Facebook live video hosting Shaykh Dr. Kemo Saidykhan, apologized to two young men who were alleged to have sought donations from a renowned Gambian artist known as O boy to build a boarding school meant for Quranic memorization in Kombo Busura. There were serious tensions on social media after pictures of the duo emerged online. 

Many blamed them for allegedly collecting support from musicians to build Qur’anic school. Yusuf Sonko equally blamed them earlier on one of his Facebook live videos based on the previous information he has received surrounding the pictures that were circulating on social media featuring the two men and also lambasted two prominent Gambian musicians O boy and ST for interfering into the affairs of Madrasas and Qur’anic memorization centers.

 “They should be chased away whenever they approach to help madrasas” He said.

After some consultations with the people involved, he later came to discover that it wasn’t the two men who approached O boy for support, but it was in fact O boy who approached them to offer his support through one of them who was later identified to be a biological brother to him. Yusuf on a Facebook live program with Shaykh Dr. Kemo Saidykhan then apologized to the two brothers and said” it’s human to err, i don’t mean any harm but  was definitely bothered with the first information i received regarding the whole incident, and what impact it would have if it were to be true that young Ustasses would be seeking support from musicians.”

Mr Sonko went on to apologize to O boy and ST for saying that they should be chased like dogs whenever they approach Quranic memorization centres and withdraw this statement against them. 

” I don’t  hate any of these musicians but only wish good for them, in fact, they could even become better than me if they repent and quit singing.” He concluded.

Shaykh Dr. Kemo Saidykhan also blamed the journalists for giving false news to public. He went on to say that he doesn’t know whether some of them do not just have the expertise to practise as seasoned Journalists or just choose not to publish the truth to the general public.

Mr Saidykhan said, ” it would be prudent to always verify information whenever you come across any before making any quick judgements or comments”.

He added that he was happy that the two brothers did not break the trust he has in Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah, since they were not the ones who approached the musician as it was circulating on social media but it was in fact the musician who approached them and gave them the money.

 

By Fatimah Sonko