A group of British Muslims, over the weekend, donated 100 bags of rice, 9 bags of sugar, and 9 bags of salt, to residents of Bantanto village, in Central River Region.

They also gave the villagers a hand pump and paints, provided by Bhria, Abdas, Zaibunnissa, Yusuf Bhai, Zohra Sheirich, the families of Munsai family, Patel, and Sallo in the UK.

A member of the group, Rashid Sallo, said his visit to The Gambia last year prompted him to help people in the communities.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the Central Mosque in Bantanto, Imam Sheikh Sadibou Fatty, said Zakat (charity) is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam, and it is obligatory on every abled Muslim to share with the poor and the needy.

Imam Fatty, said the mosque, which was in a poor condition, has been powered with a generator and fitted with light bulbs, fans, ceiling and prayer mats, following the intervention of the donors.

He thanked the donors and assured them that the goods will reach the targeted beneficiaries.

Alieu Bayo, Assistant Secretary- General of the National Tourist Guard Association, recalled that the group has decided to uplift the living conditions of the people, after he had taken them around various communities in the country.

Mr Bayo thanked The Gambia government, through the Department of State for Tourism and Culture, for creating the enabling environment for his association to operate.

Kupeh Fatty, Alkalo of Bantanto village, also spoke at the ceremony, which was attended by other villagers.