(JollofNews) – In the wake of recent declaration of the Gambia as an Islamic republic, a prominent Catholic leader in the country has used his weekly programme on state television to call on Gambians to unite and show love and understanding to each other irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Some 90 per cent of Gambians are Muslim and the country was last month declared an Islamic republic by President Yahya Jammeh on the ground that it was in line with the West African nation’s “religious identity and values”.
Female civil servants were also banned from leaving their hair uncovered at work in all government departments and agencies.
But Reverend Father Edward Gomez of the Brikama based Parish of the Resurrection, urged Gambians to show unity and respect to each other in the interest of peace and stability.
“Recently we have seen people saying that the Gambia is an Islamic republic, but we must not allow ourselves to be divided,” he said.
“We are all Gambians whether you are a Muslim, Christian or non-believer. We are also one creation and no one is more Gambian than the other. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord and no Gambian is more supreme than the other before God.”
Reverend Gomez added that although various different religions are practiced in the country, Gambians should not discriminate against one another based on their religious beliefs or which religion is more dominant than the other.
“We should not look at what religion we practice or which dominant religion the other Gambian follow,” he said
“Doing that will only bring misunderstanding and division in the country. We have never known that in the Gambia and our grandparents and ancestors have never used religion as a tool to discrimante against each other.
“We should do unto others as we want others to do unto us. We have heard what is happening in other countries such as Pakistan and the Central African Republic and we must not wish that to happen in our country.”
