Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 250
232 superior to them; giving that sort of impression was not appropriate for a muballigh. May Allah reward him for that! I made his advice an integral part of my policy. Whenever I travelled on a ferry like that, I always tried to join those pulling the rope. In fact, I tried to join in all their activities and that was very beneficial in practical life. We reached Georgetown soon thereafter. It is a small town, in fact an island. Even its present rundown condition is reminiscent of its glory days. It was an important centre during the British rule. Its underground chambers tell the terrible tales of Europe- bound slaves. The river Gambia was an important route for human trade. There was a small but devoted jama’at in Georgetown. Most of those elderly members have passed on. May Allah shower His Mercy on them, Amin! We arrived at the mosque and mission house of Ahmadiyya jama’at. When the members got the news, they all came to the mosqueeagerly including Siddi Mukhtar Haidara, Bala Jatta, Alhaj Kousa Kajera, Alhaj Sahu and Mr Sayang. These elderly brothers welcomed us cordially. Then food was served in a large tray and all brothers ate out of that. Amir Sahib gave me some necessary directives and left for Basse. In Georgetown I had no acquaintance at all; unknown people, new language, different culture and completely alien environment. My ability to speak in English was next to nothing and the elders of the local jama’at were no better at that. Ramadan started the next day. It was June and summer was at its hottest. It was quite difficult to venture out of the house while fasting. I performed the duty of dars to the best of my