Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 241
223 great deal; as long as they are in good environment they behave positively but when they are under the influence of maulvis they become dangerous and venomous like them. It is like the matchbox and the matches – as long as these are encased there is no fire. However, when one of these matches strikes against the box, a flame results sometimes with disastrous consequences. They say that one of the matches can burn down the whole jungle to ashes just like Abdullah bin Sabah’s venomous personality and seditious mentality had plunged a tranquil and peaceful environment into a bloodbath. Khalifa is made by God What a wonderful reply by the Christian President Leopold Senghor that silenced the ulema! When Senegal gained independence from the French, Leopold Senghor had the honour of being the first president of the country. The population of Senegal is largely Muslim, Christians constituting about 5 percent only. Most of the Muslims were uneducated, while Christians although small in number had more educated persons. Senghor, although a Christian, became the president. The Muslims accepted him wholeheartedly. Once it occurred to the ulema and elders of Senegal, or somebody gave them the idea that as they were Muslims they should have a Muslim president. However, there was no Muslim talented enough to be familiar with the intricacies of governance. They hit an idea that a delegation of ulema and elders should see the president and request him to convert to Islam befitting the head of a Muslim state and that would be to their advantage. Accordingly, the delegation had an audience with Senghor and