President Barrow on Friday afternoon preside over the opening of the sub regional Soninkara Islamic conference at the Bilal Boarding School for Quranic Memorisation in Yarambamba, West Coast Region.
The event brought together over 200 delegates from Mali, Conakry, Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and The Gambia to discuss the religion of Islam and the message of the Quran.
The President also used the occasion to join worshippers in observing the Jummah Prayers at the Masjid Bilal of the school. The Imam, in his sermon, extolled the freedom, peace and stability enjoyed in The Gambia today. He said this enabled all who stayed away from Gambia for decades to return and partake in development process of the country.
He described the conference as a celebration of oneness of the people despite borders, something emphasized to Muslims in the Quran.
President Barrow on his part was humbled by the invitation to be among people he described as “family”. He maintained that dialogue be the mantra for any group with mission to bring people together for a common purpose.
He was excited to see such a gathering of family members across six borders.
“Patience and hard work as great values of the Soninkara community. However, knowledge forms the basis of all these values hence the hosting of the conference in the institution here is very apt,” he said, noting that the family bond in these six countries goes up to its leaders who all see each other as brothers.
Amie Bojang-Sissoho
Director of Press & Public Relations
Office of the President, State House, Banjul
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