Nominated NAM supports ban on praying on different dates

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By Lamin Sanyang During the adjournment debate at the National Assembly on Tuesday, 26 August, 2014 Hon. Seedy Njie, a nominated member, said he supported the action taken by the President of the republic for banning Muslims from praying (Eid) on different days because it would cause religious intolerance in the country. “I was dismayed when I read in the local newspapers Halifa Sallah and Hamat Bah arguing with the President over his action on the issue of prayers. He did not want what happened in the Middle East to happen here. He did not want religious intolerance to happen,” said Hon. Njie. The nominated member added that he supported the action taken by the President of the republic for banning one region in the country from praying and allowing others to prevent religious intolerance. He went on to denounce the former government for the lack of democracy and rule of law in the country at the time. He said it is President Jammeh who has separated the powers of the different arms of government in this country. “Prior to 1994, there was no institution that has democracy and good governance in this country. It was the president who has separated powers in this country. It is the current government that separated the legislature, judiciary and the executive,” said the Nominated Member. Hon. Njie said there is democracy, rule of law, freedom of expression and press freedom in the country for the past 20 years of Jammeh’s administration, citing that the existence of 14 radio stations and newspapers in the country is testimony to that fact.    ]]>