Giving his sermons on Friday, the prominent Islamic cleric refuted widely circulated reports that Muslims attacked churches, calling them the “enemies of religion.”
Making clarifications over the issue, the prominent Sheikh said: "Members of the Muslim community approached the church to stop playing music until the end of Tarawih (nightly prayers), in observance of Ramadan, and the church leader agreed. Last Friday, they waited until worshippers started performing Tarawih prayers to play music.”
"Three young men from the Muslim community came out appealing to them to stop playing music until the prayers were over, with one of them asking to meet the church leader.”
"However, he was told the church leader was busy hence could not be seen.”
"A skirmish broke out, leading one of them to take up an instrument and injure a Muslim community member. The suggestion that Muslims assaulted church worshippers is outrageous and untrue. It is an attempt to dent the image of Muslims in this country. "
The eminent scholar and imam reiterated that Muslims in the Gambia are committed to peaceful coexistence with Christians, majority of whom are from other places and have been peacefully and happily welcomed in the country.
Sheikh Essa Foday Darboe added: "There is no problem between Muslims and Christians. We received them and provided them with plots and agricultural land regardless of their religious affiliation.
"The enemies of religion seek to sow seeds of hatred among us so that the world argues that there is a problem between Muslims and Christians in The Gambia.
"Let everyone know that The Gambia's Muslims are committed to their consistent position of peaceful coexistence with Christians, and Muslims will never change. We respect Christians and preserve their inviolability. You will never hear an Imam insult Christians, nor do Muslims assault them,” Sheikh Darboe elaborated."
In this regard, Imam Darboe urged social media platforms and media outlets to fear God and desist from promoting hatred in the country in the name of Islam and refrain from misrepresenting facts as if Muslims are aggressors.
The Sheik ended his sermon praying that God ensures the continuous existence of peace and tranquility in The Gambia.
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