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GOV’T APPROVES TV LICENCE FOR AHMADIYYA JAMAAT

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The application for a TV license by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has caused widespread anger among the Sunni clerics in Gambia who think the group should not be allowed to operate a TV.

Gambia’s communications minister Demba Jawo

The Government of The Gambia has on Thursday approved an application made by the country’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for a television licence, a press release from the information ministry has said.

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Vice President Fatoumata Tambajang.

During the meeting, ministers considered recommendation by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) for the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure to issue a content service provider (TV) licence for Muslim Television Ahmadiyya.

The application for a TV license by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has caused widespread anger among the Sunni clerics in Gambia who think the group should not be allowed to operate a TV.

Thus the decision is likely to anger senior clerics of  the country’s Supreme Islamic Council, who regards Ahmadis as non-Muslims.

The clerics have used their Friday sermons and radio station, Alfaala, to campaign against a television station for the Ahmadis.

Meanwhile, ministers have also approved the ratification of the 1994 Agreement for the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

By becoming a party, the Gambia would join 150 countries that would have a say in the authorisation of seabed exploration and mining.

A tax exemption was also approved for the construction and installation of 25 solar powered water supply systems in the five administrative regions of the country.

The US$3.4 million project is part of an MOU signed between the Government of the Gambia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in April 2017 as part of the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources drive to providing potable water.

In a bid to curb inappropriate management of fishing practices which continue to endanger ecosystems, fish habitats and further diminish economic returns, cabinet endorsed the decision of the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources to acquire two fisheries inspection vessels.

Cabinet also discussed and approved for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs to consider an offer of a price of 240,000 Euros by the West Africa Aero Services Sarl for two small airplanes belonging to the government of The Gambia.

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