THE GAMBIA IS NOT AN ISLAMIC STATE

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Foroyaa has made it abundantly clear over and over again that The Gambia is not an Islamic state. Mere public utterances and changing of letterheads do not make Gambia an Islamic state.

The Constitution of The Gambia makes every citizen sovereign and equal irrespective of religious or other differences. It is the people from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the power of government are to be exercised in accordance with the Constitution.

Section 100 of the 1997 Constitution does not permit any declaration of a one party state or state based on religion. It is very tempting for a Muslim to support such declaration. However, many Muslims would oppose the declaration of a one party state.

This section is well entrenched requiring two referenda to alter it – a referendum to allow the members of the National Assembly to table the Bill and a second referendum to endorse the Bill.

Nobody has power to overthrow the constitution through the back door and the National Assembly can impeach the president for this.