Qadriyya Association for the Revival of the Sunnah (QARS) on Saturday convened its 5th annual Islamic conference at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Held under the theme, 'Authentic Sufism and its role in reforming the Ummah and uniting Muslims', the religious gathering brought together top Islamic scholars within and outside the country to deliberate on the subject matter, as well as other issues bordering the way forward for the religion.

Speaking at the conference, the secretary general of the Association, Alhaji Omar Ndow, underscored the importance of the gathering, and thanked God for making this year's conference a success. Outlining the objectives of the Association, Ndow said they include the spreading of love and tolerance, promoting unity amongst the Muslims around the world.

Also speaking on the occasion, an adviser to the Association, Kamraj Bajwan, who is a Chicago-based lawyer in the United States, described the virtues of love and harmony as vital elements of the teachings and doctrines of the Islamic faith. He hastened to inform the gathering that the Association has over the years implemented projects such as the establishment of'madarasas' in Chicago and the creation ofa Zawiyah in Spain, where Islamic doctrines are discussed.

The guest speaker on the occasion, Dr. Umaru Faruk Abdallah, also a Chicago citizen, harped on critical issues affecting the contemporary Muslim society; such as the manifestation of ignorance coupled with unprecedented occurrence of strange diseases in this day, an age of science and technology. He lamented that despite the ever increasing Muslim population, yet only few abide by the teachings and etiquettes of the Holy Quran.

Elaborating on the theme of this year's conference, Dr. Faruk said Sufism in its pure form is all about worshiping none but Allah and believing in his prophet Mohammed (S.A.W). His sermon also touched on the five pillars of Islam, which he said are the bedrocks for spiritual and moral dispensation. He reminded the faithful that anyone who abides by the principles of the Shariah is truly practising the teachings of Islam as the complete way of life.

Other speakers at the event were a Gambian scholar and lecturer at the University of The Gambia (UTG), Dr. Abubakar Senghore; Alh Ebrima Jaiteh; Sheikh Sheriff Muhammed Hydara; and Mustafa Davies, who all enjoined the faithful to remain steadfast to the religion.