Gambia’s maiden national conference on religion and hate speech ends

Alpha Khan, Chief of Jokadu District, asserted that hate speech is not just a legal issue; it is a moral and societal issue, and therefore, traditional leaders should leverage their influence in society to speak up against it.

“We should use our influence to speak up against hate speech and anything that causes such tendencies in society. Silence is not an option. We must speak to ensure that the Smiling Coast we knew is back; the Smiling Coast in which we lived in peace in spite of diversity,” he said.

Ms Masarakufa of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office had earlier echoed such sentiment, saying when religious and traditional leaders speak out against hate, people listen.

“They are not only custodians of tradition and faith, they are also key actors in advancing reconciliation, social cohesion, and human dignity,” she reaffirmed.

The NHRC chairperson had also made an impassioned appeal to religious and traditional leaders: “You are the ones our people listen to, from the pulpits and minbars, through the village bantabas and community gatherings. Your words carry weight. Your guidance shapes attitudes. Your silence can legitimise hate – but your voice can also fuel hate, it can also be a shield for the oppressed and a balm for the wounded. We want you to be champions of religious tolerance, guardians of unity, and active agents against hate speech.

“Let us preach and promote peace in our sermons and teachings. Let us publicly denounce hate speech regardless of the source. Let us remind our followers that our faiths i.e. Muslims and Christians, are rooted in compassion, justice and peace. Let us not allow a vocal minority within our midst to define who we are as Gambians. Let us build a Gambia where we are judged not by tribe, not by gender, not by our faith or political affiliation, but by our respect for others, our competence, our honesty, integrity and our shared values. Let that be the Gambia we pass on to our children.” 

Generally, the role of religious and political leaders is deeply complex. While their influence can be a vital force for peacebuilding by bringing communities together and encouraging civic participation, religious and political leaders can also exploit their influence by mobilising supporters along ethnic or ideological lines, invoking sentiment to stifle dissent or fuel unrest for personal or partisan gain. This duality makes them double-edged swords, capable of shaping inclusive futures, but also of deepening societal fractures.

In The Gambia, the 2024 Conflict and Development Analysis (CDA) shows deep societal divisions, driven by ethnic, religious, and political identities, often manifesting through hate speech and derogatory rhetoric. The report notes escalating intra- and inter-religious tensions, at times resulting in physical violence and weakening social cohesion. 

Similarly, findings from the NHRC 2024 assessment of hate speech in The Gambia further indicate that religious leaders, alongside political figures, party supporters, and social media influencers, are among the key perpetrators of hate speech. Victims of hate speech cite political affiliation, ethnicity, and religious beliefs as the primary reasons for being targeted. 

It was in this context that the daylong national conference on religion and hate speech was held.