The
Office of the President is pleased to inform the general public that His
Excellency, Adama Barrow, the President of the Republic of The Gambia has
declared the following days as public holidays throughout the country.
Monday,
25 December 2017
Tuesday,
26 December 2017
Monday,
1st January 2018
The
holidays are in honour of Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ, son of Holy
Mary and the New Year.
As
Christians around the world celebrate Christmas day with thanksgiving and
prayers, President Adama Barrow called
on Gambians to continue to be the shining example of the world for peaceful
co-existence between Christians and Muslims.
While there is intolerance and mistrust about religious beliefs of
different faiths elsewhere in the world, The Gambia has been known for its
religious tolerance worthy of emulation.
As we are in the festive mood, President Barrow called for all Gambians
to redouble their efforts in rededicating ourselves to the development of our
country.
In
The Gambia, Christians share the festivities with families and friends. During the festive season, Muslims in The
Gambia also show solidarity and good neigbourliness to the Christian community.
The celebrations in the Greater Banjul Area in particular, are marked with
masquerade festivities leading to the New Year with traditional “Fanal”
festivities.
President
Barrow and the first family wish to take this opportunity to wish the Christian
community a blessed holiday and to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year in advance.