By Kebba Jeffang
Caliph General of Darsilameh Sangajor, Sheikh Muhideen Hydara has informed
the Brikama Magistrates’ court on Monday, 16th March, 2015 that they performed the Eid ul-Fitr on July, 29th 2014, following the sighting of the moon on the day before and that they prayed as Muslims to only God and nothing else.He testified before Magistrate Omar Cham.
When the matter was called, police prosecutor Chief Inspector Camara
appeared for the IGP whilst Lawyers Antouman Gaye and Lamin K. Mboge
represented the two accused persons.
Caliph General Hydara confirmed to the court that he knows the 1st
prosecution witness (PW1) Mamadou Lamin Jarju, the Chief of Foni
Kansala, but that he did not get any message from him relating to the
Eid ul Fitr pray last year. He said he knows Seedy Gibba, the Badge
Messenger of the Chief, but did not even see him much more getting a
message from him.
When asked whether he knows Abdoulie Fatty, the former Imam of State
House mosque, he responded in the negative. He added that he did not
get any message from him and did not hear any announcement on GRTS
concerning the feast either.
“Late Malign Hydara was the Imam of Sangajor Darsilameh at the time. I
did not get any message from him. My co-accused here was the Alkalo
and I did not get any message from him too. I led the prayer because
the Imam was sick. On that very day, I knew that many places across
the country observed the pray on that Tuesday, 29th July, 2014 such as
Kiang, Baddibu and others in the provinces,” said Hydara.
He said Eid ul Adha (Tobaski) or Eid ul Fitr (Koriteh) were never held
in the absence of the Imam but that particular one found him sick
which was why he led the pray.
“We prayed because we did not see the moon on Sunday and we later
sighted the moon on Monday, 28th July, 2014. This was why we observed
the prayer on Tuesday, 29th July, 2014. The Prophet (PBUH) said He
does not speak on his own will but that all his sayings are
instructions from Allah (God). And He Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said if
we look for the moon and could not see it on the 29th day of Ramadan,
we can complete the 30th day of it to avoid doubt. We always abide by
what God says as well as the teachings and practices of the prophet
and not anyone. To our opinion we prayed on the 29th day of July,
2014,” said the Caliph General.
He said for them praying on Tuesday was in line with the teachings of
the Islamic religion. He added that his role as Caliph General is to
abide by what God says and nothing else.
The matter, at this juncture, was adjourned to 31st March, 2015 and
1st April, 2015 for continuation.]]>
