Officials from the US embassy in Banjul,  Thursday 4 June, 2009, inaugurated an Islamic school in Kanjabinah village in the Foni Berefect District.

The Islamic school, worth 1.6 million dalasis, was funded by the Africa Humanitarian Assistance program of the US government. The school consists of four classrooms, two stores, one office and three outside toilets, all fitted with tiles.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony,  on behalf of the National Assembly member of the area, the chairman of Brikama Area council, Sunkary Bajjie, remarked that America is a true friend of The Gambia. He described the gesture as a representation of the hope and courage that the US President Barack Obama stands for in the world. He however called on the people of Kanjabina to give the school its due by sending their children to learn there. He also promised that Brikama Area Council will endeavour to aid the school with some of the concerns raised by the villagers such as the absence of classroom furniture and a water well.

Speaking earlier on, Alkalo of Kanjabinah village, Fabakary Colley, thanked the US for the gesture. But he went on to appeal to the embassy to consider helping the school with furniture for the classrooms, a well and the wages of the teachers who will be teaching at the school.

For his part, the charge d' affaire of the United States embassy, Brian Bachmam, said the innuguration of the school has come at a wounderful time, as US President Barack Obama was in Kairo, trying to open a page for a new relationship between the United States and the Muslim world, a relationship based on respect and understanding, aimed at solving the world's mutual problems.

Charge D' Affaires Bachmam noted that education is a basic right the people of the world have and that it is through education that "our greatest hopes for advancement lies. We are very pleased to work with this community towards the inauguration of the school. The school is built by funds given by the United States government and people, under the program of African Command for Humanitarian Assistance." Bachhman also  revealed that for many people, it is very unsual for the US to be involved in the building of Islamic schools, but that is not the case because there are millions of Muslims in the US that freely practice their religion, noting that they have great respect for Islam.

The occasion was attended by the chief of the district, Alhagie Junkung Camara, and members of the Gambia Suprime Islamic Council, who all pledged their support for the school.