The President of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh has declared the country as an Islamic state.
He, in an interview with the state’s TV said the declaration was in line with Gambia’s “religious identity and values.”
According to the BBC an official statement released on his office’s website Saturday said “Gambia’s destiny is in the hands of the Almighty Allah. As from today, Gambia is an Islamic state. We will be an Islamic state that will respect the rights of the citizens.”
He is also reported to have said “as Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy.”
On 18 February 1965, the Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom.
Since gaining independence, the Gambia has had two leaders – Dawda Jawara, who ruled from 1970 until 1994, when the current leader Yahya Jammeh seized power in a coup as a young army officer.
According to Gambia’s official figures, Muslims comprise 90 percent of its 1.5 million population.
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By: citifmonline.com