Philip
Saine, a resident of Banjul and member of the Catholic Development Office told
the TRRC on Monday 3 Feb. that The Gambia’s religions have been living in
harmony from the first republic until the visit of a renowned Islamic scholar,
Dr. Zakir Naik.
He
claimed that the Christians were never viewed as minority in the country.
Saine
indicated that the harassment of the Christian community started when Zakir
Naik came to The Gambia. “He claimed that he knew something from the Bible,
which he only misinterprets.”
He
said Dr. Zakir should have not been invited to speak about religion because he
came and blew away religious tolerance.
“And
that was the reason why President Yahya Jammeh was proud to declare the country
as an Islamic State on 10 December 2015. Jammeh even said he would change the
Constitution of The Gambia to an Islamic Sariah Law.”
Speaking
on police banning music during Ramadan in Jammeh’s regime, he said, that was a
suppression and harassment to the Christian community.
“We
never used to identify people by religion and you will not know who is who as
both religions in the country celebrate each others’ ceremonies.”
The
witness added that social interactions were diminishing when certain words were
thrown to Christians; such as calling them non-believers.
He
recalled the 5 February 1997 incident at Pipeline, explaining that the
Christians were worshiping and the Muslims also came for their usual prayers in
their mosque, which was close to the church.
He
added that the Christians that were coming from church service made some high
noise and there was music, which caused commotion. From that he added that the
police arrested many Christians who were not even part of it.
Recalling
another incident, Mr. Saine testified that in July 2003, group of students
violated the St. Therese’s school policy by wearing uniforms without badges.
“The
principal asked them to go and wear their normal uniforms, which later brought
confrontation. The school was closed, resolved and eventually reopened by the
government.”
He
also recalled a Christian procession around Kairaba Avenue in April 2016,
saying a speeding vehicle forced its way into the procession and wounded a
young girl. According to him, the driver abandoned the vehicle and ran, but he
was taught a lesson.
He
said Jammeh banned Christians from burying their corpse in their own cemetery
in Banjul. He added that when the Christian Council stood their ground, he
later withdrew the decision.
“A
rally in Brikama that was so embarrassing to the Christian community was Jammeh
insulting us that he knew the Bible more than the Christians. He was like Zakir
Naik who said he knew the Bible more than the Pope.”
He
alleged that the re-registration and request for establishment of churches
indicated by the government has totally influenced restricting religious
freedom.
On
the harassment of Muslim who converted to Christianity, he explained that one
converted man explained to him that he was kicked out from his family and lost
all he had from the family.
On
the demolition of church around Senegambia, Saine testified that GT Board gave
them the notice and executed their plans within days.
In
his conclusion remarks, he said the best Muslims are Gambians and not Saudis
and thus called for the strengthening of interfaith dialogue in the country.
