The fundamental pre-requisite for living together naturally with each other is peace. Give man peace and the human spirit will virtually continue to live meaningfully. The society and people of The Gambia are universally renowned for their maintenance of peace; a product of hospitality and probity which is evident in the Gambia "no-problem" syndrome. The principle of Gambian unity is founded on common aspirations and fundamental interests belonging to the social group.
From this springboard, Gambians proceed to organise this unity into an effective means of reinforcing the elements of unity in Gambian society to really serve their interests. This is not a unity which sacrifices men to its ends but a unity which is an end in itself.
The Gambian socio-conception of absolute equality between men and nations led to a respect for territorial integrity and respect for the institutions of other nations. An association can only be valid and lasting if it is mutual and founded on respect.
Indeed, it is a society which groups together people from all works of life, nationalities, race, colour, creed and distinct religious faiths to, which the morality of its acts coincide with the peoples’ interest. The Gambian society tolerates individuals in circles of cultural admonition. It is abundant and self justifiable; cutting across an endless exhibition of divergent cultural shows in Gambian society that fosters tranquillity as ever before in our historical natural memories and mechanically recorded devices.
This socio-cultural spirit has among myriad multiplicity of things created an untiring avenue for intermarriage between and among ethnic groups irrespective of national divergence. We have in the past and of recent times witnessed foreign nationals intermarrying with Gambians. We must be cognisant at this point that we should responsibly safeguard the national unity by upholding the national security to enhance stability and everlasting peace.
Our Gambian society is such that it imbibes tolerance to religions as religious leaders can be seen in their sermons emphasising on the need for unity in lieu of co-existence and inculcating a spirit of common heritage. Despite Muslims constituting 90% of the population, they join other religious faiths in recognition of their festivals like Christmas, Easter, Good Friday just to name but few.