By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
The National Assembly member for Lower Fulladu West, Hon Gibbi Mballow, held a multi-stakeholder engagement with over 70 Imams in his Constituency on Saturday 13th April 2024. The event was supported by Gambian Civil Society Organisation Women’s Association for Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE) as part of their Legal Empowerment Fund.
The frank discussion featured presentations from Executive members of the Imam Association of Lower Fulladu West, Health Practitioners, the Chief, Local Councillors and Hon Mballow and presented an opportunity to discuss the controversial Bill to repeal the ban on Female Genital Mutilation/ Circumcision (FGM/C).
It can be recalled that the independent member Hon Alamami Gibba tabled a Bill to repeal the ban against FGM/C earlier in March 2024. Currently, any person found guilty of practising female circumcision is liable to a fine of D50,000 and or 3 years. Additional fines and penalties are currently prescribed for persons found guilty of promoting the practice or failing to report the practice according to the Women’s Amendment Act (2015).
Setting the tone for the meeting, seasoned Health Practitioner Mr Seedy Jagne noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to remain united as an Imam Association, how to organise the Association under a common project that will address common challenges and also to discuss the Bill which touches on religion.
Hon Mballow who won his seat under the National People’s Party (NPP) ticket took the opportunity to make a donation of D40,000 towards the Imam Association, presented his findings on health concerns around the practice and sought the perspective of local religious leaders in his constituency on the Bill.
Speaking to the packed-out hall containing over 70 Imams, Ward Councillors and some youths the Hon member explained that he usually visits some of the leaders in the Community to engage them but has decided to host a bigger consultation with the local Imam’s Association. He stated his position against the repeal of the FGM/C ban. In addition, Hon Mballow highlighted the importance of physical and mental health and the role religious leaders play in cultivating a healthy mentality amongst their followers.
Some additional speakers at the engagement include Imam Babucarr Boye the President of the Imam Association, the Chief of Lower Fulladu, Modou Lamin Baldeh and many others.
As expected, the discussion was not all smooth sailing, with several Imams disagreeing and insisting that the practice is obligatory. Regardless of some of the disagreements during the frank conversation, the meeting ended with the majority of religious leaders voicing their preference for the practice to be optional. However, some Imams voiced their concern about the health implications presented by the practice of FGM/C.
There was no single consensus on the practice being a religiously mandated one with various religious leaders giving different opinions on the matter. It can be recalled that the Gambia’s Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC) issued a Fatwa on the practice.
It was also agreed to host additional stakeholder consultations with different community groups including women.