Ajaratou Nyimasatta Sanneh-Bojang, Administrative Secretary of the Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC), has described her trip to Teheran as very fruitful and informative.

She made these remarks during an interview with the Daily Observer at the party’s headquarters in Banjul. The visit culminated from an invitation addressed by the Iranian authorities to the APRC. It was meant to build a stronger relationship between Gambian women and their Iranian counterparts.

During her stay in Teheran she had the opportunity to meet Iranian women from different institutions. Very impressed by her trip, she indicated that the stereo typical picture portrayed in the Western media about Iran is unfair and untrue. ‘‘In spite of their different engagements, Iranian women participate actively in the development process of their country,’’ she said.

She went on saying that the visit was informative as it enabled her to have a good insight of what Muslim women can contribute to the development of their country without jeopardize their traditionnal culture and beliefs. ‘‘I saw Iranian’s women involves in all works of life alongside their religious and family life,” she added.

She also disclosed that the most interesting moment of her trip in Tehran was marked by her meeting with female soldiers at one of their numerous military camps. According to her, the peculiarity of this camp lies on the fact that it only comprises of female soldiers. Women in Iran are always in the forefront when it comes to defending their country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

She further called on Gambian women to emulate their Iranian counterparts, noting that they are always remembering the beliefs of Imam Khomeyni, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.