As part of celebrations marking the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (SAW), the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, and members of the State House Mosque Committee, last Friday hosted hundreds of worshippers at the State House grounds.

Among the worshippers were the vice president and secretary of state for Women's Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy; the speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay; secretaries of state and other senior government officials, religious leaders, and a cross section of the Gambian community. Like previous ones, this year's Gamo was characterised by recitation of the Holy Qur'an, singing of Islamic songs, locally known as "Zikarr"as well as preaching on pertinent subjects such as the importance of prayers, the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W), divorce and its effects in society, and the importance of discipline.

In his welcome remarks, Sergeant Alhagie Ba Sainey Camara, Amir of the State House Mosque Committee, thanked the dignitaries and religious leaders for responding to their call in observance of the birth of Prophet of Islam (Maulud Nabi). Ismaila Sambou, secretary of state for Local Government and Lands, on behalf of President Jammeh, welcomed the worshippers to the programme. He described Maulud Nabi as a very important date on the Muslim calendar. SoS Sambou also called for attitudinal change, urging Muslims to follow in the footstep of Prophet of Islam.

Momodou Lamin Touray, president of The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, on behalf of the Council, hailed the Gambian leader for organising and sponsoring the programme. He prayed for Allah's blessings for the president, his family and the entire nation. Imam Alhagie Abdoulie Fatty, the head Imam of State House Mosque, chaired the programme, while the Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhagie Cherno Alieu Mass Kah, gave the closing prayers.

The Diaratul Muslimin Wal Muslimatun, under the leadership of Aja Maimuna Savage, presented a copy of the Holy Qur'an to President Jammeh.