By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow last week received at State House Mr. Rashad Hussain, Ambassador at-large for International Religious Freedom from United States of America. He was accompanied to the Presidency by the US Ambassador to The Gambia.
Ambassador Hussain said he had a very productive and straight forward discussion with the President. He said he had ealier met with the civil society leaders throughout the country.
He expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for the leadership of The Gambia in supporting the Rohinyga Muslim minority. The ambassador-at-large acknowledged that The Gambia’s litigation at the International Court of Justice is very critical in supporting the welfare of the Rohinyga Muslims, including the accountability for abuse and crimes against so many women and children.
The ambassador-at-large however, made reference to the controversial issue of FGM/C ban and the agitations to lift the ban, saying is a very important issue and that they have been discussing with our partners in government and civil society.
“FGM is a practice that violates the Islamic principle,” he stated, noting that the President’s position has been always clear on this issue; that he is working together with the members of the parliament to maintain the ban.
