The Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) President, Alh. Essa Darboe has called on wealthy individuals to emulate the philanthropic gestures of Momodou Turo Darboe, the CEO of the Vision Development Foundation (VDF). Momodou Turo Darboe is renowned for his annual Ramadan initiatives, which provide essential items to needy Muslims in The Gambia. These efforts have been a cornerstone of VDF's work, reflecting a tradition of supporting less privilege communities during Ramadan.
Darboe's VDF distributes earmarked 4100 bags of sugar in 10 Kilos and other essentials to underprivileged households in the Greater Banjul Areas on Friday,7 March 2025 at the VDF Office in Churchill's Town, Serrekunda. The gesture helps ease economic hardships for beneficiaries during Ramadan.
Turo Darboe's generosity has inspired gratitude from community leaders and beneficiaries view him as a role model for philanthropy.
The SIC President encourages other wealthy individuals to follow Darboe's example, emphasising the Islamic values of charity and generosity, especially during Ramadan
The SIC President said good role models like Momodou Turo Darboe's generosity is felt by poor and needy Muslims, especially during the holy month of Ramadan in The Gambia. He said Mr Darboe has made it a tradition to be helping needy Muslims annually with relief items to support them ease hardships and make life easier for Muslims in their fasting. “We are thanking Momodopu Turo Darboe for inviting us every year to collect Ramadan Sugar gifts, and are praying to Allah for his continued success,” he said. He thanked Allah for enabling them to respond to Turo Darboe’s annual Ramadan gift gestures and prayed for the continuity of VDF support to the needy, especially during Ramadan," he said.
SIC President further noted that the Prophet wanted people to feel each other especially during Ramadan, and for the wealthy people to help the less privileged. “We recognize Momodou Turo Darboe with such lifestyles, and we are therefore praying for him to maintain such great gestures for his country, his family and Muslims,” he said.
Alh. Essa Darboe also quoted the Muslim Prophet’s assertions that anyone who gives helping hands to others shall have special Angels that Pray to Allah to provide replacements for such people. “That is why if you give out to others it is Allah that pays you back. There is no backwardness or loss. That is why every year when we come we see advancements,” SIC President said.
Speaking earlier Mr Saihou Fofana- VDF PRO said 4080 bags of Sugar in 10 Kilos was earmarked for the Ramadan gifts on Friday, 7 March 2024, and thanked all those who turn up for the usual VDF CEO Momodou Turo Darboe’s invitation to collect Ramadan gifts.
He reiterated calls on recipients to help distribute the gifts to the needy people the gifts are meant for, adding that VDF will like to have photos and videos of distribution to recipients accompanying the report, to enable them continue providing support to such recipients.
Meanwhile Mr Fofana announced that the following communities will receive 100 bags in 10 kilos each, namely: Serrekunda Ward VDC, Bundung Borehole, Nawec Staff, Banyaka, Mandinaba- VDC, Yundum, Farato VDC, Wa Kerr Conteh Family, Banjullingding, Gunjur, Jambangjelly, Sambuya, Marakissa, Kitty, Busura, The Gambia Association of Deaf and Hard of Hearing – (Gadhoh) and Kanifing South received 100 bags of sugar each, Lamin to receive 100 bags every Friday; while Kombo Kerewan, Talokoto, Madiana VDC, and Manduar received -75 bags each; the Gambia Market Union, Sanyangs, KMC Women Councilors and Sukuta Sabiji each received 200 bags; Dippa Kunda, Babellon, Sitahuma Village, Japineh Tembioto, Badimehkoto, Jallemberreh and Buiba received 50 bags of sugar each; and Bakau Health Centre, Sareh Jama, Bololong Village, Sarehkifa, Jobe kunda and Rekleh Society each received 30 bags of sugar; and Supreme Islamic Council received 350 bags of sugar, all in 10 kilos, bring the total amount of sugar earmarked for distribution to total of 4080 bags of Sugar in 10 Kilos.
Gambia Market Union Secretary General - Mr Saidina Kebbeh- said he was accompanied by his executive members to visit the VDF Office and formally adopt Momodou Turo Darboe as Father, with a view to forge long lasting relationship and partnership. He explained that their Executive Committee and members are derived from various markets in The Gambia.
He said they are adopting Mr Darboe as father because they want to be informing him about their activities, just like how a father relates to his children. Mr Kebbeh explained that the Market Union represents entire market vendors in The Gambia.
He finally thanked the VDF CEO- Momodou Turo Darboe for his generosity, prayed for the Foundation’s continued successes, and expressed hope for a fruitful working relationship.
It is important to reflect on the Quranic verse that: “One of the doors that Allah has opened to His slaves to gain big rewards in the month Ramadan is through sadaqa (giving charity/alms). Islam always advises its followers to give plenty to charities, especially during the month Ramadan. And that is supposed to be the manner of believers; generous. Allah and His messenger even gave an example to the followers of Islam to be a generous and open-handed person. Generosity is one of the attributes of Allah the Exalted. Alms allow Muslims to cleanse their wealth after the fasting month while giving directly to the poor and needy.”
In this spirit “VFD was set up so many years ago to nurture the spirit of sharing and caring."
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