Gambia to host 1st edition of African Religious Ministers &Ullamas Conference
The Gambia government in collaboration with the World Muslim League is set to host for the first time,the conference of the African Religious Ministers and Ullamas.
For the first time in the Gambia and Africa in general with such magnitude, it is organized by the World Muslim Leagueunder the theme: ‘Promotion of Peace, Understanding, and Unity among Communities and Nations’.
Fundamentally, the theme is the belief that extending the bridges of dialogue and cooperation is the only way to realize a world full of peace, justice, and coexistence.
In an interview with VOD, Honorable Sheriff Abba Sanyang, the Minister of Lands, Regional Government, Religious and NGO Affairsand Chairperson of the Local Coordinating Committee disclosed that they have actuallysentinvitations to almost all African countries while they are still waiting for other nations’ responds, butso far, they haveconfirmed that more than thirty-four countries for their participations.
He stated that as the conference clicks nearer, international delegates are scrambling for the opportunity to come to the Gambia to partake in the international conference set for 6th December at the Sir DawdaKairabaJawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.
He noted that after the success of the first edition of the African Religious Ministers and Ullamas Conferencein the Gambia,the event is expected to rotate to other countries for hosting, after their involvement and participation.
For the first time such a magnitude conference due in the Gambia, and Africa in general, organized by the World Muslim League in collaboration with the Gambia government,
Minister Sanyang revealed that they are expecting the arrival of international guests from the 4th to 5th December for the event.
As the event clicks nearer, he disclosed that international delegates are scrambling for the opportunity to come to the Gambia to partake in the activity.
He noted that after the success of the first editionin the Gambia,the event is expected to rotate to other countries for hosting, after their involvement and participation.
In preparation for the success of the event, Sanyang noted that the organizing committee is currently working 24/7 with the envoy of the World Muslim League in the country with the involvement of President Adama Barrow.
He advanced that currently there is a click round in the Secretariat who are making international convocations and that tickets have been released to them for their attendance.
He added that the event is of significance to the government and the people of the Gambia, which he said the event has come at the right time in the country particularly in Africa or West Africa as a region. “Looking at the religious circumstances within our environment, I think this program is coming at the right time,” he disclosed.
He said that they are not limiting themselves at the intra religion course, but with the hope that it will also pay a great dividend to intra religious focus of the Gambia particularly, adding that they will be taking cue from other African countries and the world at large, which will create an avenue for Gambian scholars to learn and read and Gambian believers to learn and observe from other countries equally to know the state of the religion in their country and how perseverance for them to also behave and act in the same manner.
“Religious in tolerance should be an issue that we are not looking at in this generation, taking cue from the teachings and believes of the Islamic religion, with the hope is to expand on those teachings and beliefs of Islam. What Islam has taught humanity, definitely is the whole purpose of the conference,” he noted.
“It is not going to be an event to look colorful, because it is done on purpose. We are leaving no stone on turn, we are accepting all religious scholars across the country.
Each region will have a representative at the conference, we are expecting almost five thousand invitees directly and we are expecting any religious scholar whether received an invitation or not,” he informed.
He highlighted that Gambia as a region is an example in the world, because of its peacefulness and religious tolerance and understanding activities around the globe.
However, he said the success of the program is not solely dependent on the organizing committee, but to all Gambians to partake in the activity. While he urged all Gambians for the success of the event.
He revealed that hosting the conference is a challenge to the nation as it is spring board for them to understand of what they are supposed to learn in preparation of the OIC which is much a bigger activity.
Minister Sanyang highlighted that anytime religion is mentioned is supposed to be a learning opportunity for every Muslim. That as Muslims, they are supposed to learn as they move every day, which is a challenge to every humanity, which he pointedout something significant for everyone to learn.
He proceeded that the conference will expose the Gambia to the world with its preparedness and its religious tolerance, the inter relationship of each other and understanding amongst citizens.
He advanced that Gambia has been the best nation in the world because of its religious tolerance, peace and understanding and the relationship amongst people, tribes and communities, which he said is a learning point for everybody to understand what are limitations and challenges are supposed to be in religion.
“Gambians need to learn to accept, to forgive, to appreciate, to accept, to understand the limitations and challenges in humanity and these limitations and challenges in humanity are teaching us to learn and appreciate the values we are living in,” and “as Allah ask us to live as one, one nation and we need to move on,” he concluded.
