The International Scientific Educational and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has allocated Sami Pachonki Mosque as part of world Islamic heritage sites, revealed to Hassoum Ceeeay, Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
According to him, ISESCO has been following The Gambia for the past three years to identify Islamic heritage sites in the country and this led to the selection of Sami Pachonk Mosque.
Ceesay made the disclosure recently Sami Pachonk where the minister of Tourism and department under his ministry visited as part of their nationwide tour.
He said the delegation was in Pachonki to engage with the people of Pachonki for the need to enlist this Mosque in ISESCO Islamic cultural heritage site.
He also revealed that Sami Pachonki Mosque has fulfilled all the qualities and characteristics that are require i to be register ISESCO Islamic cultural heritage site, adding that once enlisted the mosque will be part of Islamic heritage sites and derive series of benefits from the ISESCO.
“Once this Mosque is register ISESCO will provide assistance in terms of repairs and maintenance, providing training for gatekeepers of the Mosque as well as protecting and preserving the site for posterity.
The International Scientific Educational and Cultural Organization consist of more than one hundred countries that is headquartered at Rabat, Morocco.
“This organization is expected to host its next general assembly meeting here in Gambia,” NCAC Director disclosed.
Pachonki Mosque was built in 1840 and this year marked its 172 years anniversary since its construction witnessing the dawn of fourteen Imams. The mosque is purely built out of mud and Rhum palm with wooden framed windows and doors crafted by the local wood-workers.
Foday Omar Ceesay is the first Imam of this Mosque and since his demise thirteen other Imams have followed suit.
