Conscious of the fact that there cannot be peace without development and vice-versa, Serigne Mohamadou Habib Sakho, elder son of the late Alhagi Ebou Sakho, a venerable Senegalese Islamic erudite, has reiterated his commitment in promoting peace within the Senegambia region and Africa as a whole.

Over the years, he has shown strong leadership qualities in conflict resolution and crisis prevention. As the President of Religious Associations in Africa for Peace Promotion (RAAPP), he is constantly engaged in efforts, geared towards promulgating the fundamental principles of Islam in order to bring mutual understanding among people of diverse nationalities and cultural background.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Daily Observer, he congratulated President Yahya Jammeh on his landslide victory in the last Presidential Elections. He commended the President of the Republic for the peaceful and transparent manner in which the election was conducted.

Serigne Habib also spoke on the forthcoming Salatul Tasbiya, an annual prayer, scheduled for May 28, 2007, in Ngekoh near Mbour (Senegal). “This year’s commemoration will be preceded by a colloque on peace issues, slated for 26 of May, 2007’’, he explained.

According to him, the programme is to be drawn up in consultation with religious families, as well as political authorities. That’s why during his stay in The Gambia, he seized the opportunity to meet with Sheikh Omar Faye, SoS for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs, Alhaji Cherno Kah, Imam Ratib of King Fahd Mosque in Banjul, and other religious leaders.

Initiated by the late Alh. Abdou Aziz Sy of Tivaoune, late Alh. Ebou Sakho and other Khalifs, this annual Salatul Tasbiya constitues a rare occasion, which helps to foster the sense of brotherly relationship that exists between The Gambia and Senegal, as the event will gather thousands of people from neighbouring countries.