Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The death has been announced of Aja Maimuna Savage, a revered Islamic scholar and preacher in The Gambia. The country’s Muslim community remembers Mai, as she was fondly called, as a true trailblazer and a dedicated messenger of the Islamic faith. Her contributions to the propagation, teaching, and solidifying of the Islamic religion in The Gambia and the surrounding region were unparalleled.

Aja Mai was one of the few Gambian women who excelled in both Quranic and Western education, a remarkable achievement for her time. She was the proprietor of Alhaji Yadalieu Savage School in the Kanifing Industrial Area, named after her father, the late Imam of the Oku Ar Rahman Masjid on Allen Street, Banjul.

Aja Mai’s untimely death is a significant loss to the dual educational system in The Gambia, which combines English and Madrasa studies. Her dedication to providing an education that integrated Islamic teachings with Western education was unmatched in the region. Her school was renowned for producing well-rounded students proficient in both academic subjects and religious studies.

Aja Mai’s legacy will continue through the impact she made on her students and the broader community. Her absence will be deeply felt in The Gambia’s educational system, as she was a pioneer in bridging the gap between traditional Islamic teachings and modern education.

The Gambia Journal extends its heartfelt condolences to her family and every Muslim in The Gambia. May Allah grant her the highest Jannatul Firdaus.