Imam Ratib of Besse village in Foni Brefet District has launched a foundation that aims to sensitise people, particularly in Foni, of the need and benefits of peaceful co-existence.
Dairatul Imam Jabbi Foundation also aims to support and encourage people to grow what they eat and to be self-dependent, economically.
The foundation founder, Imam Alh. Momodou Lamin Jabbi, said the idea of forming the association sprung out of the need to enlighten the people of Foni and The Gambia at large about the current political, religious and social situation of the country.
Politically, he said, there is no political difference in Foni that could warrant a state alert or alarm.
“There was only a misunderstanding amongst certain groups of people [in Foni],” he said. “People of Foni are naturally loyal to their leaders. This is from the first republic to the second and, definitely, to the third republic.”
Imam Ratib Jabbi said the peaceful social co-existence of the people of Foni would last because of the region’s cultural diversity.
“All the cultures and people of The Gambia and Africa in general are found in Foni and the people of different cultures have inter-married. That is why I said there was a misunderstanding among certain set of people,” he said.
The Imam said religiously, Foni got lot of great Islamic scholars who settled and died there and their families are still in Foni. These scholars, he said, include Tijan Darboe, son of Lameng Darboe, Joren Gitteh of Bajan village, Sheikh Lasana Camara in Sutusinjang village, Alh. Kanjura in Besse village and many others.