The President, His Excellency Adama Barrow, has received in audience the National Muslim Elders Advisory Council at the State House. The council comprises prominent Islamic religious leaders, Imams and Elders drawn from across the country who share a common vision of supporting the President's development agenda, fostering peace and tolerance, and supporting the needy in society.The National Muslim Elders Advisory Council was established in September 2023 and brings together prominent Islamic scholars and Imams from across the country to advise the President on socio-religious issues, promote his development agenda and foster dialogue with various Islamic scholars and Madarasas.It's headed by Imam Muhammad Lamin Touray, a prominent Islamic scholar and elder widely respected in the country. The council held its maiden meeting at the State House, attended by President H.E. Adama Barrow and his personal Aide, Lamin Cham.Speaking at the inaugural meeting, members of the Council took turns to express gratitude to the President for agreeing to host them and support their activities. Imam Mamadi Kanteh, a member of the 18-member Executive Council, described the meeting as timely as it provides a platform for frank discussions on the role of religious leaders in promoting peace and stability in The Gambia.Imam Abdoulie Bah and Imam Modou Lamin Drammeh both described the formation of the Council as very timely, given that religious leaders play an important role in society, providing guidance and counsel. They thanked the President for his commitment to the Islamic religion and support for Muslims, adding that the council will complement the efforts of the President and his government Imam Alhaiba Hydara and Imam Doumbuya commended the President for his commitment to peace and tolerance, urging all religious leaders across the country to support the President's development agenda The President of the Council, Imam Muhamad Lamin Touray, said the council has 18 National Executive Members and 85 regional executive members spread across the country comprising imams from different mosques, Madarasas and Daaras who have one sole objective of supporting and complementing the President's development agenda. He added that the National Muslim Elders Advisory Council is open to all religious leaders in The Gambia and is ready to work with all stakeholders to promote peace and foster dialogue and tolerance amongst the diverse religious community.Given his vast experience as a former President of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, Imam Touray described the National Muslim Elders Advisory Council as a complimentary organisation that will work with all groups to entrench peace and stability whilst also promoting the President's development agenda. Most importantly, Imam Touray disclosed that the council will advise the government on religious matters, mediate and resolve conflicts, and maintain dialogue amongst all religious leaders to maintain an atmosphere of peace and stability in the country He finally thanked the President for supporting the Council and also for agreeing to provide them with an office at the State House. The Personal Aide to the President, Lamin Cham thanked the Elders for coming up with this initiative, which he believes is timely as it will provide a bridge between the government and the religious leaders. Mr Cham commended the President for his devotion to religion, arguing that all his actions are guided by religious values. He, however, called on religious leaders to use their influence to instil values in the younger generation to be more responsible and patriotic. He lamented the lack of societal values amongst young people, attributing it to a lack of “home training”, and therefore called on imams to play a more enhanced role in shaping responsible citizenship within society.President Adama Barrow commended the newly established Council and its general membership for taking up such a noble responsibility. “As religious leaders, you represent Islam and its values. As such, I am ready to work with you to promote development, peace, and stability in the country”, the President said. He described peace as indispensable in the national development process and urged religious leaders and elders to champion peaceful coexistence and tolerance by using their platforms to preach and advocate for peace. “As president, I bear the greatest responsibility to keep and maintain peace, and I welcome anyone ready to work with me to achieve this objective,” the Gambian leader told the Imams. President Barrow also agreed to be the patron of the Council and pledged to support its activities by providing them with a car and fuel to enhance their work.This support by the religious leaders, President Barrow concluded, serves to reassure him and boost his confidence that Gambians firmly support his development agenda and are ready to complement his efforts for the good of the country.
Continue Reading >>