One of the country’s most influential Islamic scholars, Sheikh Kebo Cham’s consistent call for support for the Gambian leader has been enough to raise eyebrows as to whether it is an act of patriotism to the nation or allegiance to the leadership.
On one more occasion, Imam Cham calls on Gambians to support the President in his role as their leader. He said the citizens should join hands and work with their leader, instead of going against him and his leadership. The top Imam made these remarks in his weekly sermon on Friday October 1, 2022. According to him, fighting against the President or trying to tarnish his reputation means going against the nation and self-destruction.
“I am urging all Gambians to join with and help our head of state because that is where our peace lies. If Allah makes someone a leader, he is supposed to be supported, not fought. If you fight him, you fight the nation. If you try to destroy him you destroy yourself. This is why I always pray for our leader to be protected and granted peace. I want all citizens to hear this message so that they will show solidarity with their leader”, the Imam said.
In an earlier sermon last month, Sheikh Cham said Gambians should desist from protests and other forms of disapproval as that brings more harm than good.
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“We cannot solve our problems by continuously being in disagreement with our leaders. Strikes and disagreements with leaders have only increased our problems. We need to stop fighting with our leaders so we can live in peace”, he said in a sermon audio on September 23rd.
While his continuous show of solidarity and call for solidarity with the President which has been heard of in numerous occasions can be related to mere patriotism, it can as well be related to affiliations with the leadership.