As part of their traditional Christmas engagement, a delegation from the Christian Council of The Gambia, comprising the heads of the various Christian denominations in the country, were the guests of His Excellency, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, president of the Republic of The Gambia, at State House in Banjul.

At the head of the delegation was Robert Ellison, The Roman Catholic Bishop of Banjul, who is the chairman of The Gambia Christian Council. With him were Reverend Norman Grigg, the general superintendent of the Methodist Church of The Gambia, and the Right Reverend Dr Solomon Tilewa Johnson, the head of the Anglican Mission in The Gambia.

Professor Jammeh was unequivocal in his commendation for the small Christian community, which he emphasised, had something phenomenal to lend out to the predominantly Muslim population. Gambian Christians, Professor Jammeh maintained, could serve as example for mankind, and he added that the Muslim community has a lot to learn from their Christian counterparts.

One thing that gained the president’s attention is what he saw in the court records; it fascinates the Gambian head of state that not a single Gambian Christian was convicted on criminal or some violent activity during the course of last year.

Worshiping in the country, President Jammeh went on to reiterate, is a right rather than a privilege. He said that although we worship differently, it is one God that we all serve. He repeated his popular stance of zero tolerance for religious hatred, making reference to the shocking revelation of the attitude of the convicted British couple who spent their ten-year peaceful stay in The Gambia planning to destroy the image of the country and its people.
 
In a show of appreciation, the president gave an undisclosed amount of money to the council members. The vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie Saidy, underscored the benefit of mutual understanding between the various religious groups in the country. What prevails in the Gambia, she said, is basically a reason to rejoice. As many people tend to listen to their religious leaders more than politicians, she believes that the religious people can play a big role in the maintenance of peace and stability.   

The words of the Christian leaders themselves were proof of the veracity of the words of the Gambian leader. Bishop Ellison, on behalf of Christians in The Gambia, expressed unreserved admiration for the president. He said Christians were profoundly gratified with the head of state for his help in ensuring that they practice their faith in peace, emphasising the importance of peaceful coexistence.

Bishop Ellison also recognised the government of The Gambia’s commitment to religious tolerance. And he commended the president personally for his agricultural ventures, citing the effect of the global food crisis as a testimony of the significance of the president’s initiative, something he pledged his council’s commitment to.

For Superintendent Norman Grigg, the privilege of worshiping in The Gambia are unthinkable in many places in the world. He was especially impressed by the support given to them by the president, allowing them to pray at all national functions. Bishop Tilewa Johnson focused his attention on the president’s agriculture venture, an area in which he sees common interest between his denomination and the president. Courtesy of GRTS’ Abdou Njie