In a rare news report, as Christians routinely have no voice in Islamic countries….
Christian Churches in the Gambia have demanded the declaration of their country as a secular state, in a new Constitution being drafted.
Kudos to the Christian Council of the Gambia, which is opposing the official declaration of Gambia as an Islamic Republic in 2015 by its former president Yahya Jammeh. At the time, Jammeh stated:
“Gambia’s destiny is in the hands of the Almighty Allah. As from today, Gambia is an Islamic state. We will be an Islamic state that will respect the rights of the citizens”
But in 2017, when new President Adama Barrow took office, he stated at his first news conference that “the country’s official name will no longer contain the word ‘Islamic.’” Barrow also promised reforms to allow for religious freedom, and now with the new constitution being drafted, Christians are advocating that “secular state” be used to describe the over 90-percent Muslim country.
Gambia’s Christians know all too well that under Islamic law, threats to their religious rights and freedoms will escalate. There are already restrictions on Christians in the country.
“Gambia: Christians demand that the state be declared secular and not Islamic,” Vatican News, December 17, 2019:
Christian Churches in the Gambia have demanded the declaration of their country as a secular state, in a new Constitution being drafted.
Former President declared country an Islamic Republic.
Gambia is a small country situated in West Africa. It has a population of 2.35 million people.
Former President, Yahya Jammeh, declared the country an Islamic Republic in 2015. He said he wanted to distance the nation from its colonial past.
Despite assurances by the new Government of President Adama Barrow, there have been noticeable restrictions on Christians. Members of the Christian Council of the Gambia (CCG), composed of the Catholic, Anglican and Methodist Churches are now demanding that in the preamble of the future Constitution, the words “secular state” be specified….
mortimer says
If the Muslims relent and give in, democracy will be restored in the Gambia, but if the Muslims are insistent, the Christians will be suppressed and a genocide may ensue!
Dangerous times in the Gambia. It’s all or nothing for democracy. They may have to fight and they may lose unless the Great Powers intervene.
CogitoErgoSum says
Perhaps if they lose they should ask that the constitution at least provide them some protection by means of payment of the Jizya.
Frank Anderson says
I think it is too late. The whole camel is now in the tent. There is no room left for others. This should serve as a perfect example of demographic conquest, which is just as effective at enslaving a country as routine conquest by the “sword”. With between 250 and 1000 million already killed by islam, what is a few more million? A minor footnote. What would Jewish protests of Nazi violence have accomplished before WWII, before the invasion of Poland? Nothing more than accelerating the start of the industrialized killing. With 90 percent muslim population, Christians are in a deadly posture with few options for freedom and life. “A snake will always be a snake.”
Note: I am using 1000 million to prevent confusion between milliard and billion.
warren raymond says
That means jihad. The infidels have no right to make demands in an islamic state.
elee says
Get ready to follow this and make some noise if western governments try to look away and not notice
Bella says
Sounds like the Christians better head for the hills now judging by what is happening to them in other muslim majority countries. Sad indeed.
gravenimage says
Gambia: Christians demand that the declaration of the country as an Islamic Republic be reversed
……………..
These Christians are very brave.
But Gambia is 96% Muslim, and only 3% Christian–I don’t think they have much of a chance.
Giacomo Latta says
”he wanted to distance the nation from its colonial past”
Hey, great idea. I suppose Gambia has since ceased trading with any or all of its colonizing powers and all other such countries such as half of Europe and China and Russia as well for good measure.
OLD GUY says
Maybe the POPE will step up and support these christians.
OLD GUY says
Maybe the POPE will step up a defend these christians.