"President Jammeh is a very truthful man."

Meeting him is very wonderful as he looks at everything with truth and logic. "These were the words of the visiting American public figure, Jermaine Jackson, when he called on The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya last Friday at State House in Banjul.

Jermaine, an elder brother of the late pop superstar Michael Jackson who was accompanied by his wife Halima Rashid Jackson to State House was speaking to reporters shortly after having audience with the Gambian leader. "I enjoy meeting the president because we share the same views and I am very happy to be here. I see how your people have the respect for him because of his truth and the way he looks at things," the prominent American public figure, who converted to Islam in 1989 after a trip to the Middle East told reporters.

Describing President Jammeh as a very straight forward person, Jermaine described his meeting with The Gambian leader as the beginning of a long-lasting relationship. "I have met a lot of leaders and he stands above most of them if not all of them because he lives his life according to Allah and he governs his country the way he is doing God's will. That is why he is loved by all," said Jermaine, who was a member of The Jackson Five.

He also commented on efforts aimed at building bridges between Africans and African-Americans, underscoring such move as significant in bringing back the people whose ancestors came from Africa during the infamous Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Conversion to Islam
Also commenting on his 1989 conversion to Islam that happened after a trip to the Middle East, Jermaine Jackson told reporters that he found ultimate joy, peacefulness and pureness in the religion of Islam. "I am very happy and aware of what life is all about now. My mind has never been enslaved and it is much clearer now that I am a Muslim," he said.

Death of Michael Jackson
On the sudden death of his brother Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, which occurred as a result of cardiac arrest at the age 50, Jermaine said losing a family member is always painful. He noted that they were and will always be emotionally affected by the death of Michael Jackson, stating that he lost a brother who was an incredible human being. He also noted that the entire world equally lost an incredible human being, adding that the spirit of Michael Jackson will forever live with them.

Many would recall that Jermaine Jackson did most of the public speaking about the death of his brother. At the Michael Jackson memorial, Jermaine Jackson performed Michael's favourite song "Smile" as a tribute to his late brother.  Meanwhile, earlier on Friday before speaking to journalists, Jermaine Jackson joined hundreds of Muslims including President Jammeh in the Friday congregational prayer at the State House Mosque in Banjul.

Rashid Jackson meets First Lady
Also on the same day, Halima Rashid Jackson, the wife of Jermaine Jackson also had an audience with the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Her Excellency Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh. Her discussion with the country's First Lady centred on promoting women education among others.