Religion, as can be seen today, is at the centre of global debate, mainly because of the controversies surrounding it (thanks to the level of misinterpretation) and not because of the genuine love between man and his creator.

Today, if there is any single issue that is closest to the heart of the majority of the world's population, it is the issue of religion. This is not some thing bad though; what is unfortunate, however, is that this man-and-God relationship is being exploited to the discomfort of the human race, contrary to the divine purpose.

The world over, religious leaders command tremendous respect from an enormous spectrum of societies. While this influence has been used in some quarters for the advancement of humanity, for others, unfortunately, religious influence means propagating chaos and destruction. Today, a number of analysts prefer associating any possible World War (III) to religious causes. And to a large extent, the predominant occurrences of our day give this prophesy a fair level of credibility.

In most cases you will find out that religious unrest arises as a result of disorganization, which gives room for the proliferation of all sorts of cults. The result is what we can see in some parts of the world- wanton destruction of life and property, and desecration of holy cites; all in the name of the very God mankind claims to be serving.

As a predominantly Muslim nation, with a number of minority religious groups, The Gambia can boast of  peace and stability. And this we can not detach from the influence of religious leaders. But this peaceful atmosphere needs consolidation, and more work.

 As President Jammeh succintly put it during the inauguration of the new headquarters of the SIC, the council owe it to Gambians to ensure the continuation of the prevailing tranquillity  in this country; to ensure that issues with the potential to unravel disorder are regulated.

Religious authorities in The Gambia have never received so much attention as they have been getting since July 1994, a move that has been born out of a deliberate attempt by the APRC government, which is aware of  the importance of religion in the maintenance of peace and stability. Religious leaders have a great role to play in restoring hope to the hopeless, in settling disputes, and even in fixing political misunderstandings. At the grassroots level, this is what it has been like in countries like The Gambia.

Muslim people look onto their religious leaders as representatives of the divinely guided prophet of Islam. The same thing is true of Christians, to whom Jesus is a perfect divine model, and so for all other people of genuine faith. Therefore, the followers of these religions are inclined to abide by the commands of their religious leaders.

The government of The Gambia has no doubt played its part, as expected, by not only empowering the council but also ensuring that it is behind it all the way. There is the need for reciprocation from our esteemed religious leaders.