The foundation stone for a new mosque was laid recently at South Atlantic Road in Bakau.
Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, Imam Omar Bah of the area said the majority of inhabitants are Muslims, but a mosque is far from them, thus the need for their own mosque.
He announced that constructing the new mosque is an initiative launched by the residents of the area, who have been contributing monthly and from resources raised through their recitation of the Quran. He added that through these strategies they have managed to raise D205, 000 saved with Arab Gambian Islamic Bank.
Imam Bah lamented inadequate resources hampering implementation of the project as their main constraint, and he called on all Muslims to support them on their cause.
He thanked President Yahya Jammeh for his magnanimity extended to them. "Whosoever invests in the name of Allah is indeed investing in a worthy cause" he declared.
Aji Yabou Njie said building a mosque in the area is long overdue, and that it was their dream to see one in their area.
The land to build the mosque is spacious and they intend to build an Islamic school there as well, she announced.
The proposed mosque, measuring 32 x 27 meters, when completed is expected to accommodate hundreds of Muslims at a time.
Alhagie Ahmadi Njie, deputy imam of the area, commended all those who attended the ceremony, and applauded the youth and women for their active participation in the project.
The Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhagie Cherno Kah, who attended the ceremony, also appealed to the Muslim Ummah to come to the aid of the mosque committee, and help them complete the mosque project. He told the gathering that Muslims should always support initiatives such as building mosques.
"There will be nothing to regret in investing in the cause of Allah," said the Imam Ratib who used the opportunity to pray for the country, and for peace and stability.
"The reward for constructing a mosque cannot be over emphasized," said Imam Tafsir Gaye of Banjul, who was also at the ceremony.