By: Kemo Kanyi
Scores of Imams in the West Coast Region were recentlytrained on Gender-based Violence in The Gambia.
The day-long training was organized by Shine Light in Girls Education, a philanthropic organization that mobilizes support for women and girls and it was facilitated by Mr.Saja Gitteh, a lecturer at the University of The Gambia.
The deliberations were dominated by Female Genital Mutilation.
Imam Wuyeh Njie, the Secretary-General of the Association of Imams of West Coast Region, said they are following inthe footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when it comes to circumcision.
“We are following the Sunnah of our Prophet, who advised us not to mutilate our girls but we can circumcise them. If that’s what you mean, we are in support of you but we cannot promise you that we will not circumcise them,” he underscored.
“I thought women, who are into this practice, should be trained to improve their knowledge in it so that they would not mutilate but would rather circumcise,” he advised.
Njie enjoined fellow Imams to do more research on hot topics in order for them to rightfully address those burning issues.
President Barrow meantime last week renewed his government’s “commitment” to upholding the ban on FGM. However, some sections of the Gambian society have called for repealing of the anti-FGM legislation.