Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 12
12 Initial opposition of the Jama’at After the arrival of Choudhry Muhammad Sharif Sahib, organised opposition of the jama’at started. The chief Imam of Banjul at that time was Alhaj Muhammad Lamin Bah. He led the opposition along with some selected people of the city. They complained to the Governor that a new faith has arrived in the city which was dangerous for everybody; therefore, it should be banished. How could he do that, asked the Governor who was an Englishman and a Christian. He called a meeting of all the prominent Muslim leaders and dignitaries and discussed the matter. They all expressed their opinion. Conviction of Maulana Muhammad Sharif Sahib Maulana Muhammad Sharif Sahib also attended the meeting. The opponents made many speeches; they used all sorts of tactics and threats. Choudhry Muhammad Sharif Sahib declared very confidently that ‘by the Grace of Allah, we are true and devout Muslims. As we are true, Insha-Allah you will see that our jama’ats will be established throughout the country very soon. God forbid, if our jama’at is false, it will become extinct by itself. ’ The Governor asked for a list of those who were with the jama’at with their signatures within three days, for him to decide. Glory is to God that many educated youth and some of Imam’s political adversaries joined the Ahmadis. Thus, within three days, papers signed by about one thousand persons were sent to the Governor’s office. The Governor said how he could banish the Jama’at that had so many adherents in Banjul alone. The Imam and his associates clamoured a lot but in vain. In this way, by the Grace of Allah, the Ahmadiyya Jama’at was