Thursday, 18 July 2013

Face Book Over-exposure of the Body

Facebook is good, but some make it bad. Share your face, dress. your nice moments with your friends...But I think certain Gambian sisters are taking this too far. Please sisters, your breast, your belly/tummy are private parts that shouldn't be shared to hundreds of people. Not all of us want to sin seeing your breast and naked belly...Showing your private parts of your body doesn't add any value to you as a person. Sadly, vanity loving brothers and some sisters will continue liking things just for the heck of it. Keep private parts privates..God Guide us.

Lessons in Fasting Ramadan

By Suntou Touray
A Muslim man/woman who fast for 30 days, has learn a thing or two about self-control. He/she should be incapable of committing sex crimes. A key goal of fasting is mastering one's desire...We fast because we are commanded to do so, but it also teaches us determination and humility. May Allah make us humble and make it easy for us to do good for him and mankind. Ameen

The Broken Pen Of the Gambia


At the top of the hill
Sat an old, dejected Gambian scholar
Who use to scribble fantastic essays and books
There he sat, along with very few who takes
The pains and solitude to think

They think loud to us in the pages
and cover of magazines and books
We adulate their grand minds
and hope that, many will emulate
the audacity and sacrifice

The pen then was in good hands and great thinking minds
Minds that encourage protest writing and thinking
Sitting elegantly and heads held high
Under our soft Sun, the Buhabas (Scholars)
Exhibited the talent to communicate

We took their words and believed that,
They are genuine
That was before the test to their character
and personal interest hits home

The Pen is broken, the Gambia’s pen is dented
broken by the celebrated writer and author
Alas, it downed on Gambia that, not all that glitter is gold

(Nana Grey-John, a key player in Gambia writers community
Is found wanting when he is needed most)
Hypocrites at best
Gambia Writers forum should distance itself from him)
WAG needs to rethink and be bold

Pregnant/Breast feeding Woman should not Fast

If God makes something easy, why complicate it for yourself? Ramadan fasting month create a buzz in people, both men and women. Some sisters even start covering their heads, some find the quickest available guys to get hitch. All of that is self-delusional. What is important is, whether you are married or single, stay sin free..Marriage is not a requirement for doing good or bad. Yes, the institution of marriage is blessed and all eligible bachelors should be encourage to marry, but please don't do it for Ramadan. Another subject is, very clear sound hadith of the Prophet Muhammad explain that, "women who are breast feeding, pregnant, very old people who cannot fast..." feed a poor person a day. That will replace the obligation of fasting for them. 


But certain Gambian sisters are refusing to obey that Prophetic providence. They are saying, they will repay all the month of Ramadan when they are strong enough after pregnancy, breast feeding. Come on sisters, how many voluntary acts of worship can you do, that you don't, why make Islam difficult for yourself in just fasting? If you are breast feeding a baby or you are pregnant, eat and drink, and provide Fidya (food) to a needy person for each day. If because you have money to give and you felt, that option is easy..Please remember, there are countless others who cannot fast due the above conditions, but at the same time, will find it hard to feed a poor person...Our religion is easy, learn the basics and read it. 
No one will confuse you. May Allah forgive our mistakes/sins and make us better human beings. Let our educated sisters please say something. We are having some sisters insisting fasting after breast feeding and pregnancy..Imagine we guys have such allowance...Nothing is more nobler than motherhood, nothing...so don't underrate it...Jazakalah

Sunday, 16 June 2013

The fears in a Tribal society

Tuesday, 16 December 2008
BY Suntou Touray
In a recent posting at the Gambia L, I made a comment that, in the near future, a piece concerning our individual respective tribal competences will be written. The remark seems to raise eyebrows simply it will discuss aspects of our cultures or tribes that no one has attempted before. The writers who felt it unnecessary for me to embark on such a mission did that with deep care and concern. The vital point to note here for all is that, The key word is 'TRIBAL COMPETENCES'. This doesn't mean, what one tribe is competent at another is incompetent with.
Student of management can surely remember reading about the differences in management styles across ranges of racial or national boundaries. The Japanese for instance are known to be very loyal and committed to one job and one firm, whilst the American managers are quick to sack or fire their staff. The British are known to be very pompous managers whilst the Germans believe in Hard work and proven track records.
Some companies go across tribal lines to hire a person with different competence in turning over a failing company, Honda is a good example. A Japanese manager was replaced with an Irish-American if my memory serve me right. This is all due to different cultural and management styles. Sadly, Blacks and women managers are portrayed in a negative light due their management styles. Blacks and women they say tend to be 'too bossy' and 'power hungry' managers.
How did the the social scientist came to that conclusion? This is through studying different companies with particular types of managers. Yet we in the twenty first century fear what 'the minds' of others conceive.
I am well aware of prejudice and bigotry and seriously as a Muslim, that is the last thing that comes to my mind.
The 'social construct' of each individual is different. Even two Mandingos from different region in one country will have different social construct. A Baddibunka mandingo for instance may culturally value money differently to a Kobomka mandingo. Similarly a Senegalise Wolof may see marriage differently to a Gambian Wolof. Is writing or talking about this peculiarities sensitive? Yes, because our society is very rigid and sensitive. In India for example, they give jobs according to cast system. This is to avoid alienating the lower cast members. In Britain, the equal opportunity acts makes it possible for companies to employ people regardless of their race or colour. The interesting thing is, we have to start breaking certain moles respectfully and with care.
There is nothing call the TRUTH. Your truth is not my truth,. Even God gave us the opportunity to either worship or him not to worship him. Yet, we are told that our creation into tribes and races is not for us to ridicule each other but for us to be amaze by the power of God's creative abilities.
The dilemma in a tribal society is so great that anthropological exercise is made very difficult. This is why i only concentrate writing about Mandingo subjects. Surely no one will accuse me of being an anti-Mandingo. The fear is that some will start seeing me only in a Mandingocentrict dimension. Should that deter me from enjoying my hubby which is reproduce what i learn as a child? hell no.
Being connected to both FULBE and Mandingo, i can equally write about certain interesting fula custom, but that may land me into unpredictable waters. People relate and disconnect from people base on petty comments. It is hopeful that our world view broaden and become less sensitive to educational endeavours. I will put together what i know to be our tribal competences, i shall not mention a single tribe, it is up to people to guess what best describe their perception and feelings. I may got it all wrong, yet my conscience is clear. We are what we are due to many transformation and experiences, some positive other negative. I wish to comment about unifying paradigms. The axioms of successes and progress in a multi-tribal society. Feel me! 

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Women, Our Companions

Sentimental Sunny day in England today. What comes to mind in a humid office?
I say 'Real men are not afraid to admit that, they are inspired by Beautiful dignified women. I'm very much inspired by my wife, however, that doesn't mean, she wouldn't have a right go, as men, we shouldn't see the beauty and softness of women as weakness..we are each other's pillar. Smile for your love one. A little smile, a small compliment goes a long way, guys think about.'

A Thought On relationships

As a village man, I have seen love in that ordinary setting, the town people tend to think they understood life better than us. It is natural to think so, because the ordinary farmer does not cuddle and openly declare is undying love for his wife, but never underestimate that for not loving at all. 
But as I settled in towns and cities, I have seen love there too. In grand public show at times, regardless of the place, sophistication and glamour, Love has one language. What is it? For a moral Muslim, love is deep care, and affection, truthfulness and close bond...supporting each other, and defending defending, the rights of the other half against all odds...overlooking short coming, and being gentle...guys gentleness improve things..sisters, understanding, it helps lowering the testosterone.'