The State House Mosque Committee members recently completed the weeding of their six-hectare bean farm located behind the Yundum Barracks in Yundum, Western Region.

Over 100 volunteers including imams and soldiers converged on the farm to assist the State House Mosque Committee members. Speaking to the Daily Observer, Staff Sergeant Ba Sainey Camara, the Amir of State House Mosque Committee, explained that this move is an annual activity. He stated that their farming activity is in response to the Gambian leader's 'back-to-the-land' call, and disclosed that some of the proceeds from the farm are used for the committee's annual Gamo, while the rest is usually donated to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) and the Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital in Bundung.

Staff Sergeant Camara noted that Allah said in the Holy Quran that, "a person who eats from his or her sweat is the best among all". By virtue of this, he said it is incumbent on them to work hard and eat what they grow, and as a religious body they will not be left out in the 'back-to-the-land call'. He thanked President Jammeh for the initiative and his colleagues for their continuous support to the success of the committee.

Dr. Mbaye Kebba Kah, the deputy Imam of State House who also doubles as the secretary general of the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) described farming as a directive of Allah. He said: "Feeding on what you grow is not only a blessing but also improve the individual's health status." He urged the private sector to invest in agriculture, noting that building infrastructure is one thing in the development of a country but promoting agriculture is another aspect, which the private sector should also look into. "This move is a way of our own contribution to respond positively to the Gambian leader's back-to the-land call which is also in-line with Islamic principles of eating from your labour," he concluded.