Gambia declares itself an Islamic Republic

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh has declared the tiny West African country an Islamic republic as because Islam is the majority religion of its citizens and is an attempt to break away from the country’s colonial past.

Rights of minorities

• Rights of Gambia’s Christian community will be respected who make up about eight percent of the country’s population
• There will be no mandates on dress.

Keys

• Gambia is a popular beach destination for British tourists.
• About 90 percent of Gambia’s 1.8 million people are Muslim.
• The country gained independence from Britain in 1965.
• Gambia Capital – Banjul
• Gambia Currency – Gambian dalasi