Hamat NK. Bah, The Minister Of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs
By Fatou Sillah
Hamat N.K. Bah, the Minister of Local Government, Lands, and Religious Affairs, has called on imams to refrain from using their sermons for political purposes, emphasizing the need to keep religious platforms apolitical.
Speaking during President Adama Barrow’s meeting with Muslim leaders at the State House, Bah underscored the importance of maintaining the sanctity of religious spaces. He urged clerics who wish to engage in politics to step away from their religious roles and formally enter the political arena.
“If you want to be a politician, leave the sermons and join the parties,” Bah said. “But don’t use your mosques to enter politics; that is not your role. Thankfully, such instances have significantly declined.”
The minister pointed to past incidents in which certain imams were critical of the government, making what he described as negative remarks in their sermons. He noted that President Barrow had taken steps to address the issue by engaging the Supreme Islamic Council and meeting directly with the imams in question.
“There were imams who preached and insulted, using negative words,” Bah said. “President Barrow took action—he called those imams to the State House and spoke with them. I also engaged with the president of the Supreme Islamic Council to ensure that sermons align with Islamic teachings and contribute to national unity.”
Bah further disclosed that he had personally spoken with some of the imams present at the meeting, cautioning them against repeating such actions. He added that he did so independently, without informing the president.
“There are imams here today whom I called in and told that this should not happen again,” he said. “I have witnesses. You cannot take your microphone and openly criticize the government in a manner that incites negativity. The government has young supporters, and naturally, they will react. Thankfully, this issue has decreased significantly.”
His remarks highlight ongoing tensions over the intersection of religion and politics in The Gambia, a country where religious leaders have historically played a significant role in shaping public discourse.