SIC: No reason to tell people stance on Baba Leigh’s disappearance

Mafugi Ceesay

  

Momodou Lamin Touray (SIC)

The President of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) Imam Momodou Lamin Touray has told The Voice that the country’s Islamic governing body “sees no reason why it should tell the general public its stance on Imam Baba Leigh’s disappearance”.

Speaking on February 11, 2013 at the SIC headquarters at Kanifing, Imam Touray however said they have sympathy for Imam Leigh equally as they’ve had for others who have been in problem in the country.  

Baba Leigh, an outspoken Muslim Cleric and critic of the Gambia Government was arrested at his residence on Dec. 3, 2012 by the country’s officers of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

His whereabouts is unknown but media reports said he is being detained by the agency.

The work of the supreme Islamic council has to do only with Islam, and in Islam one does not necessarily have to show up for doing good things for the people, he said on Monday.

In this regard, he said the supreme Islamic council will not tell any one their stance on the disappeared Imam.

“We are doing what we are capable of,” he said. “If we intend for the general public to know what we are up to just to gain a good name then there will be no reward for that since God does not give rewards such deed.”

“Imam Baba Leigh is their friend, colleague, and ‘family’ member. We equally have sympathy for him just as we have for those who have been in problem in this country,” he said.

He said it is a duty upon all and sundry to have empathy for him and to do anything possible to see he is release.

He said the supreme Islamic council has contributed to the solving of many problems in the country, some of which the people involved are not even aware of the SIC’s involvement.

“We are working for God. It is not worth telling the general public what we are doing,” he reiterated.