Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – This weekend offered a powerful snapshot of one of The Gambia’s most cherished values—religious tolerance—reflected not in policy documents or slogans, but in lived experience. Two separate ceremonies, different in faith but united in spirit, reminded us of the strength we draw from our diversity.
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, I attended the Tarenga of Codou Jabang at the Seaview Hotel, marking her return from the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The event brought together family, neighbours, and friends to celebrate a profound spiritual journey that is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Hajj is not simply a ritual; it is a soul-deep renewal, a demonstration of humility before God, and a unifying act shared by Muslims across the globe.
Codou’s joy was tangible. She spoke with grace about her experiences in the Holy Land, the immense spiritual weight of standing in prayer with millions, and the reminder that all human beings are equal before Allah.
The celebration was dignified yet vibrant, echoing the hospitality and warmth that Gambians are known for. Women in richly colored wrappers moved gracefully through the crowd, men greeted one another with warmth and reverence, and the food—bountiful and lovingly prepared—reminded us that faith is as much about community as it is about prayer.
The very next day, on Sunday, June 22, 2025, I joined another beautiful gathering: the First Holy Communion of Victoria E. Gaye.
This Christian rite of passage, held in a serene local church and followed by a joyful reception, marked a significant spiritual milestone. For Christians, receiving the Eucharist for the first time represents both a commitment to their faith and an invitation to live a life shaped by grace and love.
Victoria, dressed in pure white, was a picture of youthful innocence and spiritual curiosity. Her parents stood by proudly, supported by godparents, relatives, and well-wishers from across the religious spectrum.
Though these two ceremonies come from different religious traditions, they reflect the same values—devotion, family, community, and moral grounding. And they both took place within the same country, within 24 hours, without incident, without protest, and without fear. That, in itself, is remarkable—and it is something we must continue to nurture.
The Gambia’s history of religious coexistence stretches back generations. From the colonial period through to independence and beyond, Muslim and Christian families have lived together in peace. Many households are interfaith.
People routinely attend each other’s baptisms, weddings, naming ceremonies, and funerals. This is not just tolerance—it is mutual respect and shared destiny.
As I moved between these two events, Lionel Richie’s classic All Night Long played softly from a car stereo nearby.
The lyrics—“Everyone you meet, they’re dancing in the street…”—felt almost prophetic. From the joyous ululations at the Seaview Hotel to the choral hymns of the church choir, Gambians were indeed dancing, praising, and celebrating all weekend long.
And for the younger generation, perhaps it’s Davido’s soulful line in With You—“I go dey with you…”—that best expresses the promise we must uphold: to stand with each other, through every prayer, every celebration, every trial.
At a time when the world struggles with rising religious intolerance, The Gambia must hold fast to this legacy.
Faith should never divide us. If anything, our diversity is our blessing. As Codou and Victoria reminded us this weekend, what matters most is not the difference in our rites, but the oneness in our humanity.
Let us teach this to our children. Let us write it in our history. Let us live it every day.
