In an unprecedented attempt to provide, replenish and activate the potent impetus for authentic Islamic scholarly research, intellectual and scientific learning in The Gambia, the Al Atharee Association of The Gambia last Thursday opened a unique Islamic Reference Library in the village of Kartong, Kombo South.

The association is a registered charity involved in Islamic education, Dawah and propagation.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdur Rahman La-Touche, Director of the association, revealed that their motto is ‘Action upon the certain knowledge, with firm intention to seek the pleasure of Allah alone’. He thanked all those who contributed to the implementation of the project. “We hope and pray that this Islamic reference library is not only useful for readers among Gambian people alive today, but also for generations yet to born” he said.

Mr. La-Touche is a British national born in the Caribbean and now resident in The Gambia. He also reveled to journalists that the project cost about seven hundred thousand Dalasis.

For his part, Ismaila Sambou, Secretary of State for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs applauded the initiative. He encouraged people to make the best use of the facility.

Madam Mariam Downewlan La-Touche, wife of Mr. La-Touche who is also a librarian, informed reporters that the reference library would strengthen the knowledge of Allah and Prophet (SAW).

The reference library said to be the first of its kind in the country and is located next to Masjid al-gurabaa. It has over two thousand different authentic books including meaning of Quran in English, Tafseer (explanation of Quran), Ahadith, Fiqh, Tawhid, Aqeeda (correct belief) Eemaan (action upon belief) and Islamic dictionaries.

Several dignitaries including the Western Region Governor Abdou Badgie and prominent Islamic scholars attended the event.

Meanwhile, at end of the ceremony, this reporter managed to get the opinion of the President of Supreme Islamic Council Alhaji Banding Drammeh. This is what he had to say; “ The importance of this facility cannot be over emphasised as it has both Arabic and English sections”. He noted that people couldn’t worship Allah without knowing him and that the reference library would enable people know more about Allah. He encouraged other Islamic associations in the country to emulate the Al Atharee Association of The Gambia.