Gambia Supreme Islamic Council Opens Sixth National Congress to Elect Leadership, Set Five-Year Agenda

By Makutu Manneh

The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council has opened its sixth National Congress, a two-day gathering that will elect the leadership of the country’s apex Islamic body and set its priorities for the next five years.

The congress, held at the council’s headquarters, brought together Islamic scholars, regional delegates, government officials, and representatives of international organizations. Delegates are expected to review the work of the outgoing executive before deciding whether to renew its mandate or elect a new leadership.

Opening the congress in Arabic, Sheikh Essa Darboe, president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, described leadership of the organization as a trust rather than a permanent entitlement, noting that its mandate must be renewed every five years under the Council’s constitution.

He said the congress offered delegates an opportunity to assess the performance of the current executive and determine whether it should continue or whether responsibility for the institution should be entrusted to a new team.

Sheikh Darboe thanked members of his executive and the broader council for their support during his tenure. He also expressed appreciation to the council’s development partners for their assistance.

Ebrima Sisawo, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, said the gathering was taking place at a time when Gambian institutions were being tested and rebuilt, while a younger generation was increasingly questioning how those institutions function and the values they represent.

Mr. Sisawo said that while the government can build roads, schools, and other infrastructure and develop public policies, religious institutions have an equally important responsibility: helping shape character and strengthen the moral foundations of society.

He called for greater cooperation between the government and religious institutions, saying both have distinct responsibilities but share the broader goal of advancing the welfare of the country and its people.

“I ask the scholars gathered here to continue teaching our people, especially our youth, that Islam is not a mere set of rituals but a complete way of encouraging honesty with power, wealth, land, and each other,” Mr. Sisawo said. “The ministry will continue to create space for that voice to be heard in corridors where policies are made.”

Representatives of the council’s development partners also attended the opening ceremony, including the chief executive of QGroup and UNICEF’s country representative. They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate and reaffirmed their support for the council’s work.

Founded in 1992 under the leadership of the late Sheikh Alhaji Soriba Jabbi, the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council serves as an umbrella organization for Islamic affairs in the country. It was established to promote unity among Muslims and coordinate religious matters across the Gambia.

The congress is expected to conclude with the selection of an executive that will lead the Council for the next five years, along with a new agenda setting out the institution’s priorities during that period.