Dr Zakir Naik’s visit to The Gambia was a huge success, according to information reaching What’s On-Gambia.
He was invited in the country by President Jammeh to witness celebrations marking the 20thanniversary of the July 22 revolution, and also to deliver series of lectures at different venues.
Gambians turned out in droves to listen to the famous preacher. Addressing young people at the Law Faculty Building of the University of The Gambia, Dr Naik tried to clear up many of the misconceptions that are prevalent about Islam. He also spoke about Islam’s position on Female Genital Mutilation. According to him, the practice is haram.
Mustapha Kah, a famous youth leader, attended the lecture: “I thank the Almighty Allah for making it possible for me to witness the lecture by Dr Zakir Naik, at the Law Faculty. I also thank him for giving me the opportunity to ask him a question, which he answered to my satisfaction.
“Now the challenge is to make the words he planted in all of us grow into fruition. As I write these words, I am very emotional. I pray that Allah will continue to grant him long life and wisdom to continue to propagate the message of the final messenger of Allah, Muhammad Sallalahualaihiwasalam.”
Ali Hydara (Hydara Karara), who was also at the Law Faculty Buiding, told What’s On-Gambia: “It was an emotional moment for most of us. The place was packed with people from all walks of life. Dr Zakir Naik is a gift to the Muslim ummah from Allah.”
Journalist Nfally Fadera described Dr Naik’s visit as extraordinarily successful. According to him, it was well organized and attended.
“I learnt that the concept of Jihad is misinterpreted. Instead of it being told as 'strive and struggle', it is falsely and loosely defined as 'holy war'. Also, the association of Islam and terrorism is a conspiracy from the West to denigrate and degrade Islam as terrorist and violent. Our duty as Muslims is to clear that and spread the peaceful message of Islam in the form of Dawaah, which according to Zakir is the best form of Jihad in our time,” said Nfally.
Dr Naik’s lecture coincided with the inauguration of the UTG Law Faculty Building. The famous preacher is in the country with his wife, Farhat Naik.