WAVE and Partners Host Seminar to Promote Religious Tolerance in The Gambia

Kumba Seck of the Ndiggal Sect © Askanwi

By Edward Francis Dalliah

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a seminar on religious freedom, representatives from communities that were persecuted under former President Jammeh’s regime have issued a heartfelt call for societal reform, urging Gambians to embrace tolerance and inclusion.

The interview took place during a two-day seminar focused on religious freedom, organised by the Women’s Association for Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE) in collaboration with the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) and the National Assembly’s Parliamentary Caucus on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Held on 14th and 15th April 2025, at the Baobab Hotel in Bijilo, this significant event brought together key stakeholders aimed at fostering dialogue, inclusion, and sustainable peace, particularly in protecting the rights of marginalised religious communities in The Gambia.

While talking to the media, Ms. Maryam Diba, a representative from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, expressed her gratitude for being part of a platform that focuses on discussing ways to “foster religious tolerance amongst ourselves as Gambians.” She encouraged fellow citizens to embrace new perspectives on individuals with differing beliefs and to move away from the intolerant practices of the past.

Ms. Diba emphasised the importance of kindness, stating, “Inasmuch as you want to be respected, you should also respect another person's beliefs. [And] inasmuch as you want your beliefs to be respected, you should do the same to your neighbour, to your friend.”

She added, “It doesn't take much. Just having a conversation with someone of a different belief, a Christian, a Muslim, an Ahmadi, or a person from the Ndiggal Sect. Just say hi to them, learn about their beliefs, and then we will learn to live peacefully with each other.”

Ms. Maryam Diba from Ahmadiyya Muslim Community © Askanwi

The seminar highlighted the troubling history of religious intolerance in The Gambia, particularly during Jammeh's regime, which was marked by numerous human rights abuses. Findings from the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparation Commission (TRRC) reveal that the former president routinely ordered the arrest and detention of imams, alkalos, chiefs, and other community leaders who challenged his authority or criticised his religious viewpoints.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat faced severe violations of their right to freely practice their faith under Jammeh's rule. The TRRC noted that “their oppression began when Imam Abdoulie Fatty commenced a series of verbal attacks against the sect, labelling them as non-Muslim.” These verbal assaults fuelled growing animosity and intolerance among certain segments of the population.

Similarly, the Ndiggal Sect of Kerr Mot Ali suffered significant persecution and was subsequently forcefully exiled to Senegal. TRRC findings include testimonies from witnesses who “confirmed that after the expulsion, those who left were replaced by Senegalese.” Even today, the displaced residents of Kerr Mot Ali remain in exile, despite a high court ruling mandating their return.

Kumba Seck from the Ndiggal Sect also spoke passionately to the media, urging Gambians to learn to coexist peacefully. She asserted that everyone has the right to their beliefs and called for an end to labelling others as “unbelievers” simply because they hold different views.

The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution, specifically Section 25(1)(c), guarantees every individual the freedom to practice and manifest their religion. Additionally, The Gambia is a signatory to several international treaties that protect the right to religious practice. This legal framework underscores the nation’s commitment to religious diversity and the protection of minority rights. However, despite these protections, some individuals, including those within the Christian community, continue to face persecution for their faith.