Ajami in the Senegambia

by Fallou Ngom

Abba Sagna's Jóola Foñi Ajami Video

Islam and Tolerance in Jóola Society

Written by: Abba Sagna
Date written: July 2006

In this text, Abba Sagna addresses the issue of tolerance, solidarity and peace in his native Jóola society of Casamance and his experience in Saudi Arabia (where he spent seventeen years). He discusses the values of neighborliness and hospitality, and decries a growing lack of adherence to these values.

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Islam is not the Exclusive Property of Anyone

In the name of God, The Beneficent, The Merciful

Our topic today is entitled Islam, peace and tolerance in Jóola society. And it is recommended that I address the topic in Jóola Foñi. I would like to start my introduction with the sentence "Bismi 'l-lāhi 'r-Rah̩māni 'r-Rah̩īm" I start with this blessed phrase before addressing the subject because Prophet Muh̩ammad recommended that every Muslim pronounce it before beginning anything. He also said that any work that one starts without saying this blessed sentence of God is considered to be incomplete. Why address the topic today in Jóola Foñi? Well, I would like simply to say that Islam does not belong to any language or ethnic group. Islam belongs to everybody, and I want to stress that it can be anybody's religion. Then, what does "peace and tolerance" mean in Islam? People often think that here in Africa we do not know the meaning of these words, let alone the word "Islam." But, take for example my case, someone who has spent seventeen years in Mecca studying…


Solidarity and Tolerance in Saudi Arabia and Senegal

[...I lived for seventeen years in Saudi Arabia], but the tolerance that I observe here at home is not different from what I have seen there. I have often seen a young person helping an older person, and vice-versa. I also have often seen a man helping a woman, and vice-versa. These relationships were common in Saudi Arabia as they are common here. Therefore, hatred is forbidden in Islam. We must be aware of it, promote peace and do our best to be tolerant.

Here for example, a stranger may come to your house, and may spend two or three months as a guest, without ever having to contribute money to help with the daily expenses. This is evidence that we give importance to anyone in our society. Even though sometimes we do not know the person's origin, or the origin of their parents, we treat the guest as if s/he was one of our children. Therefore, peace and tolerance exist very well here at home.


Being a Good Neighbor

Today, peace and tolerance are being endangered by many people. For example, many people pretend not to be aware of the sufferings of their neighbors. But they can afford the luxury of buying expensive food for lavish meals and even to throw away the leftovers. Yet, at the same time, they know that their close neighbors have nothing to eat.

Nowadays, people prefer to be indifferent when they are faced with other people's problems. For example, one can see someone who was robbed, and know who the robber is but fail to denounce that individual to the police. And the reason often given is that they are afraid of the police. This is common in our society.


Conclusion

Peace and tolerance are almost extinct in some parts of the world. This is the reason why God is punishing us with all the problems in the world to draw our attention to his existence. This is what I had to say about this topic.