Ismalia Sambou, secretary of state for Local Government ,Land and Religious Affairs recently presided over the innauguration  of Atharee Islamic Reference Library held at Kartong Village, Kombo South.

The first ever  Islamic reference library worth over  half a millom dalasis was build by the Atharee Association for Islamic Dawah.
 
In his innaugural speech,SOS Sambou urged the community to make the best use  of the centre. According to him, the library  should be seen as a place were one would acquire knowledge to develop himself.

He thanked the sponsors Mr and Miss Latouche of the Atharee Association. He assured his department's support to the  association.

For his part, Abdul Raham Latouche director of the association of the Gambia for Islamic Education, Dawah and propagation said his association was registered  in The Gambia in August 2004 as charitable organisation out to help the needy.  According to him since then over 30 students are currently been sponsored by the association.

He further stated that the library has both English and Arabic sections in a way to enable  muslim brothers and sisters to  make research on their religion.

He thanked the Gambian leader for creating the enabling environment for one to practice his or her religion.

Other speakers includes Abdou Badjie Governor western region, and the occassion was grace by president of the supream islamic council Alhagie Banding Drammeh SIC boss ,paramount chief Demba sanyany and others.