By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Gambia hosted the 2022 Muslim World League Conference of African Religious Ministers and ULAMAs, on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo
The event was organized by the Muslim World League in partnership with the Gambia Government under the theme: “Promotion of Peace, Understanding, and Unity among Communities and Nations”.
The conference brings together delegates from a cross-section of society, both domestic and international.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, said that Islamic thought and practice influences our socio-economic, political, and legal systems, culminating in the acknowledgement of our similarities and differences.
“As human beings, we should accept and accommodate the reality of our similarities and differences. Such characteristics should remind us to acknowledge each other’s strengths and weaknesses and, most significantly, the Oneness of Allah,” he said
He added that the sharp divisions and divergent views and interpretations among the ummah undermine solidarity among Muslims on the continent and beyond.
“The dilemma continues to centre on how to leverage the progressive aspects of science, technology, digitisation, modern thought and best practices without compromising on the basic principles of Islam, “Barrow stated
He further urged the African Ulamas to collaborate more closely within and with their counterparts in other parts of the world to be truly part of the global community and to protect the basic principles of Islam.
He said beliefs and differences should not translate into undue hostility or be used against innocent people to denounce or shame them. “Hate speech and the abuse of one’s influence, the media, and the platforms at their disposal should be condemned and unanimously discouraged,” the president said
“Ministers responsible for religious affairs in our respective countries have a role in facilitating these processes. They should work towards creating an enabling environment, through their various governments, to accommodate religious tolerance. Their Ministries should avail themselves and their good offices and services to all religions for responsible and inclusive religious governance, “president Barrow addressed.The Minister of Local Governments and Lands, Hon. Sheriff Abba Sanyang, who is also the Chairperson of the local coordinating committee, said the conference received delegates from 38 African countries with a total number of eleven (11) Ministers as heads of delegates.
“You must agree with me that such dialogue is frequently needed to have cleared the unnecessary concepts to enhance unity and mutual coexistence among Muslims in the world and not only among Muslims but Muslims and their non-Muslim neighbors,” he said
Hon. Sanyang urged the participants to participate fully and take the opportunity to network as much as possible to enhance future engagement and to learn best practices from each other.
“You are all aware of the challenges Muslims are currently facing as a result of misinterpretation due to the lack of understanding of some Muslims and non-Muslims of the importance and values of this Noble region (Islam),” he said
He said it is the collective responsibility of ministers responsible for religious affairs and ULAMAs to help unify Muslims around the world,
people of goodwill around all over.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Mamodou Tangara, in his address to the gathering, said the conference came at the right moment.
He added that President Barrow is the epitome of tolerance, saying president Barrow’s capacity to listen and accommodate views is one of his greatest strengths.
“Tolerance is needed when you are the father of a nation, especially in a historical context of a country like the Gambia where we find ourselves in a post TRRC period of healing of a wound,” Dr Tangara said.