30 January 2008
In a message to the president Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh yesterday, the Gambia Christian Council has praised the religious harmony which prevails in the country.
The Council stated that the tradition of good relationship between the two faiths ensures peace in the country, the Daily Observer reports.
The Gambia therefore features on the list of safe destinations worldwide and attracts more and more tourists and property investors to the country every year.
The population of Gambia counts 90 per cent of Muslims, nine per cent of Christians and another one per cent of people with indigenous beliefs.
Christianity returned to the Gambia at the beginning of the 19th century. Since then, Christians and Muslims have lived together, and it is common for them to attend each other's wedding ceremonies or funerals.
Marriages between the two communities are frequent, and all state functions are always preceded with prayers of both religious communities.
In addition to that, it is common for churches in Gambia to expect letters of Christmas greetings each year from important Imams of the country.
In a country where tourism is the main industry, such stability is primordial. Both communities benefit largely from this mutual respect.
