Leading Gambian Islamic scholars have called on Gambians to cultivate the culture of praying for their country.
The scholars made the call Saturday as hundreds of Muslims converged at the Buffer Zone in Tallinding to pray for the country.
“This prayer gathering is unprecedented in the history of the Gambia and even the world at large. Please let’s develop the true spirit of love and cultivate the culture of praying for our country,” Supreme Islamic Council President Momodou Lamin Touray speaking at the gathering said.
Saturday’s special prayer session was organized by Sheriff clan of the West Africa sub-region. The Sheriffs are a group of people who claim that Prophet Muhammad is their ancestor – and at least 300 of them drawn from The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry and Mali graced Saturday’s event.
Minister of Trade and Employment Musa Drammeh representing President Adama Barrow at the gathering said, “for people to be divided along religious lines shouldn’t happen.”
“We didn’t have such divisions in the first republic. It only happened in the second republic. It was the former president who divided among people for his personal gain,” he said.
Mr Drammeh who is also the minister responsible for religious matters said “when president barrow came, he’s said that everyone is equal and that everyone is free.”
He said: “Whatever one wants to do so long you don’t break the law, you’re fine. Let’s support him (President Barrow) so that the work will be easier for him and so that his can achieve his programmes for the development of the country.”
The Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure Ebrima Sillah said prayers is important as “it’s the prayers that salvage The Gambia.”
He said: “That’s why our government will never disrespect the elders. We are not a government that will disrespect religious leaders in this country.
“We ask you to continue praying for the country for peace to reign. If the Gambia is peaceful, Casamance will be peaceful, Guinea Bissau will be peace. We will also ask that you pray for the country so that we can unite politically.”
