Friday, October 6 2006

ASJA president Yacoub Ali yesterday welcomed Government’s proposed ban on casino gambling, describing it as a bold initiative by the Manning administration.

“Mankind is not according to the Islamic faith,” Ali said, “to participate in such games.”

The ASJA president said he believes that the measures as declared in the Budget on Wednesday, would alleviate the proliferation of certain types of crime in the society. “Not to mention the drug trade,” Ali added.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning placed an outright ban on slot machines and indicated Government’s intention to eventually phase out Lotto machines.

The ASJA president said the announcement of the measures could not have come at a better time, when Muslims were currently engaged in observing the Holy Month of Ramadan.

“I think, as ASJA president, the measure should be applauded. Gambling and forms of intoxicants offend the tennets of the Islamic faith and other faiths as well. Mankind is not permitted to participate in such games,” Ali said.