Islam is the dominant religion in The Gambia, a small West African country bordered by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean. Here are key points about Islam in The Gambia:
1. Population & Adherence:
Over 90% of the Gambian population is Muslim, predominantly Sunni.
The Maliki school of jurisprudence (madhhab) is the most widely followed Islamic legal tradition in the country.
2. Sufi Influence:
- Sufi brotherhoods, particularly the Tijaniyya and Qadiriyya, play an important spiritual and social role.
- Marabouts (Sufi spiritual leaders) are influential figures in both religious and everyday life, often providing spiritual guidance, traditional medicine, and protective amulets called gris-gris.
3. Islamic Practices:
- Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (locally known as Korité and Tobaski, respectively) are major national holidays.
- Daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and zakat (almsgiving) are widely observed.
4. Islamic Education:
- Quranic schools (daaras) are common and children often attend to learn the Quran and Arabic in addition to their secular education.
- There is also a growing number of modern Islamic institutions and universities.
5. State and Religion:
- The Gambia is officially a secular state, despite the Muslim majority.
- Former president Yahya Jammeh controversially declared The Gambia an Islamic Republic in 2015, but this was reversed after his departure in 2017.
- The constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and Christian and animist minorities live peacefully alongside Muslims.
6. Interfaith Relations:
The Gambia is known for its religious tolerance, with Muslims, Christians, and practitioners of traditional African religions coexisting peacefully.
7. Pilgrimage:
Many Gambians aspire to perform Hajj to Mecca, and this is considered a great honor within families and communities.
Gambia
Country Code Top-Level Domain: .gm
Country Code: +220