The Gambia Christian Council has praised the religious harmony that exists between Christians and the Muslim majority in the country.

In a new year message to President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the Christian Council thanked God that Dr Jammeh's presidency ensures the tradition of good relationship between the two faiths, asserting that it will work with the government and with the Muslim community to strengthen peace and harmony.

"The Christian community prays that Almighty God will bless you with good health and all the strength you need to continue your governance of this country with wisdom, justice and vision, enabling all its citizens and residents to live at peace with each other and to contribute to the development that you have so ably initiated in so many areas of the country's life."

Acknowledging that 2007 was a memorable year as it witnessed the birth of Muhammad Yahya Jammeh, the council extended warmest congratulations to the president and his wife, Madam Zineb Jammeh and daughter, Mariam.

"The Christian Council was honoured to represent the Christian community at the naming ceremony and joins the nation in rejoicing at this wonderful God-given addition to your family. We pray that as Muhammad Yahya grows in stature, may he also grow in the knowledge and love of God and we shall continue to pray that God will bless him, make his light shine upon him, be gracious to him, grant him good health and give him peace," the council added.

"We also ask that Almighty God's blessing will rest upon all the members of your family and all who will love and care for your beautiful child throughout his life and that as they provide the security and trust that he will need, they may also guide him into the ways of faith, which will enable him to know and experience the spiritual values of life as well," they concluded.