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Islamic Centre for Harmonisation of Schools of Thought Inaugurated

Apr 28, 2008, 6:41 AM | Article By: By Nfamara Jawneh

The Secretary of State for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs Alhagie Ismaila Sambou, yesterday presided over the official inauguration of the Islamic Centre for Harmonisation of Schools of Thought in The Gambia along Kairaba Avenue.

In his inaugural speech the Religious Affairs Secretary commended the initiators for creating the centre. He assured them of his offices support.


The centre, he added, would boost the moral of Islamic education in the country.


Speaking earlier, Alhagie Ousman Jah, the Executive Director of the centre, said the Islamic Ummah continue to face serious challenges in the modern world. He said the existence and survival of Islam as a religion and a civilisation continues to be threatened by their enemies who unfairly view them as an obstacle to world peace and stability.


He added that Muslims are obliged to observe the Islamic values of mutual understanding, tolerance, respect for one another and cooperation among themselves.


The centre, he added, will serve not only The Gambia but the entire Muslim Ummah. The centre is the first of its kind in the country and will compliment government efforts in maintaining peace, tolerance and social harmony among groups living in the country.


Dr Omar Jah senior, for his part, called for respect and mutual understanding among Muslims. Dr Omar Jah senior recalled the research programme carried out by centre into find solutions to the differences between Sunni and Shia. Six people participated and were awarded prizes. The occasion was attended by the Secretary of State for Justice and several prominent scholars.