The Christian-Muslim relation in The Gambia has never undergone any considerable strain despite the increasing influence of unenviable global occurrences.

The Gambia, as it stands, remains a beacon of hope when it comes to religious harmony. Recent developments make this state of affairs all the more obvious as leaders of the various religious groups continue to pursue that thoughtful line.

The latest development is the historic visit of the Imam Ratib of Banjul, Imam Cherno Alieu Mass Kah, to the Bishop of Banjul, Bishop Robert P Ellison. The landmark meeting was held at the premises of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. As in the words of Alhaji A.A. Fall, chairman of the Council of Muslim Elders in Banjul: "This brings back to memory Fr. Meehan".

This is not the first time this has happened. Five weeks ago, Bishop Ellison, following the footsteps of his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus Michael J Cleary, called on the Imam Ratib of Banjul on the occasion of the Muslim feast of Tobaski. The visit was aimed at cementing the decades of cordial relationship between the people of the two faiths in this country.

In his welcoming remarks, the parish priest of the Cathedral and the convener of Inter-Faith and Inter-Religious Dialogue Committee of the Gambia Christian Council, Reverend Fr Edward Gomez, recalled the last visit of Bishop Ellison to the Imam Ratib, describing it as a way of fostering and strengthening the relationship between Muslims and Christians in The Gambia.

For his part, the Imam Ratib of Banjul was thankful to Allah for "the great relationship and brotherhood that exist between the people of this land." He added: "We are specifically grateful to God for the president of the Republic of The Gambia, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, for his show of care for everybody in this country. The religious peace and tolerance we enjoy in this country is a gift of God."

The Imam Ratib prayed that the spirit of friendliness that prevails in the country continues for ever and ever, and that The Gambia remains an example of religious tolerance for our sub-region and for the whole world. He went on to thank Bishop Ellison for initiating the visit, which ultimately turned out to be an opportunity for the two leaders and their associates to interact. The Imam spoke passionately about his desire to see people in this country live side by side, peacefully, irrespective of their religious affiliations.

"We are indeed most grateful to God for this visit," remarked Bishop Ellison, when he was invited to speak. He expressed delight with the Imam and his Council elders for their visit. "This visit is another occasion for us to thank God together," said the Bishop, and he added that peace is a gift of God but man’s response to this gift helps everyone to enjoy it. The bishop made mention of the fact that the president of the nation, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, has been at the forefront of this initiative. This, he noted, is clearly depicted in the president’s recent invitation of the three heads of Christian churches at the Gambia Christian Council and some Imams, to the State House. In that meeting, recalled the bishop, the president asked all religious leaders to work towards peace in the country.

 "As we sit here today," the Bishop went on, "it is hard not to notice what has happened in the Gaza Strip in the past twenty-three days." At this point, the Bishop asked the gathering to observe a minute of silence to pray for all the victims of this terrible conflict, those who have died, those injured and those alive but whose lives are in shambles. While we are aware of the bad things in the world, we are also aware of the good things which we thank God for, said the bishop.

He reminded the gathering of the letter written by some Muslim scholars, Imams and clerics representing the Muslim world in October 2007, to all heads of Christian denominations, which among other things stressed that "there can be no peace in the world unless there is peace among religions.”

“We Christians try to live the story of the Good Samaritan which Jesus used in the gospel of Luke Chapter 10 Verses 25 to 37 to teach us about who our neighbor is," he said. In his final remarks, Bishop Ellison said that he has seen tremendous hope for the relationship between Christians and Muslims.  In his vote of thanks, Joseph Gaye, the chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council of the Cathedral Parish, reminded all present that according to the history of the Catholic Church in The Gambia, Fr. Meehan of Blessed memory was the first to welcome the late Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhaji Momodou Marie Njie, on the 16th of October 1919.

"What we are doing now is a continuation of what our forefathers have been doing," he said, thanking the Imam and his council of elders for the "beautiful gesture." Present at this historic meeting were Gabriel Gomez, Anthony Carvalho, Alhaji Dodou Njie Kaba, Imam Mustapha Faye, Imam Muntaha Faye, and Alhaji Ebrima Mbye, among others.