Gambia declares itself an ‘Islamic republic’

 

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Republic of the Gambia a West African country has been declared as the Islamic republic by it's President Yahya Jammeh. The decision was taken as Islam is the religion of the majority of its citizens and to break the impac of nation’s colonial past. About 90 percent of Gambia's 1.8 million people are Muslim. The country gained independence from Britain in 1965. Although President announced that the rights of Gambia’s Christian community will be respected and there will be no mandates on dress.

Facts to know about Gambia :

The Republic of the Gambia  is a country in West Africa mostly surrounded by Senegal with a short strip of its coastline bordered with the Atlantic Ocean at its western end. It is the smallest country on mainland Africa. 

Capital: Banjul is the capital of Gambia

Economy : The Gambia's economy is dominated by farming, fishing, and especially tourism. About a third of the population lives below the international poverty line of USD 1.25 a day.

On 18 February 1965, the Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom. Since gaining independence, the Gambia has had two leaders – Dawda Jawara, who ruled from 1970 until 1994. In 1994 Yahya Jammeh seized power in a coup as a young army officer.

Gambia is a popular beach destination for British tourists although Mr. Jammeh’s government has been frequently criticised by Britain and other Western powers for human rights abuses. Mr. Jammeh has ruled Gambia since seizing power in 1994.