Gambia is now an Islamic republic, says president

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh on Friday declared the formerly secular country an Islamic republic in a move he said was designed to distance the West African state further from its colonial past.

The small country joins the ranks of other Islamic republics such as Iran and Afghanistan.
"In line with the country’s religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state," said Jammeh on state television. "As Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy," he added.
Gambia’s population of 1.8 million people is 95 percent Muslim, but Jammeh reassured Christians and followers of other faiths that they would be able to worship freely.
"Christians will be given their due respect. The way of celebrating Christmas will continue," he said, adding that no one had the right to interfere with others' "way of life".
He also warned against trying to impose a dress code on women.
"I have not appointed anyone as an Islamic policeman. The way women dress is not your business," he said.
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