Here is yet another example of how lack of tolerance is eating the fabric of
our nation by the seams.  Mr. Lewis is blaming the Principal instead of the
Government that seem to set the stage for this atmosphere.  How can the
Principal settle this matter within the confines of the school if the edith
of this request came from Imam Fatty, Yaya Jammeh and the various mullahs
abound?  I agree with Mr. Lewis with this statement:

"Asked what should be done to resolve the veil and school uniform
controversies, Mr Lewis said, "in order to have peace and religious
tolerance, students who insist on wearing the veil should be transferred to
schools and institutes that allow it. There are constitutional rules [sic]
and there are responsibilities that go with these rules and that's why we
need to respect each other's religion, traditions, norms and culture," he
said."

Now, how can Mr. Lewis jump from the fine statement above to this:

"Mr Lewis said other important issues such as AIDS, the immoral dressing
style of young people and the issue of Muslim landlords letting their
residential houses to "born again churches" need spirited national debate
and not the veil issue."

Yes, AIDS is a national issue that needs to be discussed.  However, the same
Mr. Lewis calling for religious tolerance, is in a subtle way insinuating
that Muslim Landlords should not let their residential homes to "Born Again
Christians".  What about the many Mosques in every nook and cranny?  What is
good for the goose should be good for the gander.  Would Mr. Lewis be
satisfied when these churches are driven to the forest or sea, or rental
discrimination.  What is next, that non-Muslims cannot live in certain
nerborhoods, villages, divisions, etc.

This is the bigotry that I'm against and was cautioning, but I'm afraid the
fire has already been lit and it should be in our collective interest to put
it out.  Please read on.



Sheikh Lewis Calls for Principal's Resignation


The Daily Observer (Banjul)

June 5, 2003
Posted to the web June 5, 2003

Bakare Muritala
Banjul

The director of the International Society for Human Rights, Sheikh Lewis,
has called for the resignation of the principal of St Therese's Lower Basic
School as a result of "his incompetence to settle the [veil] matter within
the confines of the school authority." Speaking at a press conference
yesterday, Mr Lewis blamed the principal for the continued escalation of the
issue resulting in fomenting dissent between Catholics and Muslims. "The
controversy over the veil should not have been a issue in the first place.
Since there are rules and regulations guiding the school, the school
authorities should have determined the matter instead of making it a
national issue. The principal instigated the controversy and he is
responsible for it because he has already made it a national issue," Mr
Lewis said.

He expressed his disappointment that all the parties engaged in the
controversy could not resolve the matter. "The issue of veil has now become
a subject for the Department for Education which should not be. The veil
controversy is now threatening the peace and religious tolerance that used
to exist in The Gambia and this should not and cannot be allowed to
continue."

Misplaced priority

Mr Lewis said other important issues such as AIDS, the immoral dressing
style of young people and the issue of Muslim landlords letting their
residential houses to "born again churches" need spirited national debate
and not the veil issue.

Asked what should be done to resolve the veil and school uniform
controversies, Mr Lewis said, "in order to have peace and religious
tolerance, students who insist on wearing the veil should be transferred to
schools and institutes that allow it. There are constitutional rules [sic]
and there are responsibilities that go with these rules and that's why we
need to respect each other's religion, traditions, norms and culture," he
said.

Meanwhile, the principal of St Therese's could not be immediately reached
for reaction to Mr Lewis's comment.

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