Jammeh took control by bringing religious leaders to his side. He locked up those who opposed him and gave money to those who helped. His power grew until he decided when people could pray. Most Gambians talk about being open to different views but act differently. Jammeh showed this clearly in his speech.
He said he followed a part of the Quran about leaving judgment to Allah. Then, he completely went against that by saying he would ban prayer for those waiting for an announcement. He told local chiefs to remove certain prayer leaders, or he would close their mosques. He even threatened his Interior Minister with jail if anyone prayed the next day in The Gambia. All this came right after he claimed the country belonged to him.
Jammeh mentioned religious freedom but did the opposite right away. He said he would not let anyone split Islam, forgetting there are more than seventy branches already. His biggest trick was using faith to control people. In a place where many think being religious means being good, Jammeh acted holy to keep power. After making himself colonel and then leaving the army, he changed how he ruled.
He made people think Allah chose him as leader. This dangerous idea spread because eager religious figures backed him up. This freed Jammeh from having to answer to the public. Religious leaders who disagreed lost everything. The spy agency watched them closely, recording their talks to report back. Several prayer leaders faced arrest just for saying things Jammeh disliked.
Imam Manjang gave a talk about visiting shrines and how it goes against Islam. He never said the name Jammeh, but still ended up arrested. The spies tortured him for days without any charges. After letting him go, they strangely sent drug agents to search his house. They found nothing there. In 2006, Jammeh brought magic workers to Gambia to remove witches from the country.
Government workers had to swear loyalty before a shrine. Many Muslims and Christians ran away rather than commit this serious sin. Others just did what they were told. Police officer Mustapha Ceesay refused and paid a harsh price. Only one political leader, named Halifa Sallah, fought against this practice. Religious elders stayed quiet about these clear violations of both faiths.
Jammeh also ran beauty contests that clearly broke Islamic rules. Yet, religious leaders said nothing about these events. One prayer leader even started a contest with a blessing. Bishop Hannah Faal bravely spoke the truth to Jammeh during a meeting. She asked permission to speak plainly as a fellow Gambian. She told him people warned her not to come because everyone felt angry with him.
She mentioned that the nation suffered greatly and asked if he knew that. By removing all enemies from the old government and the coup group, giving power to influential people, building new roads and buildings, acting religious, and bringing faith leaders to his side, Jammeh gained total control. He managed every part of life in The Gambia and ruled as a dictator for twenty-two years.
He said he followed a part of the Quran about leaving judgment to Allah. Then, he completely went against that by saying he would ban prayer for those waiting for an announcement. He told local chiefs to remove certain prayer leaders, or he would close their mosques. He even threatened his Interior Minister with jail if anyone prayed the next day in The Gambia. All this came right after he claimed the country belonged to him.
Jammeh mentioned religious freedom but did the opposite right away. He said he would not let anyone split Islam, forgetting there are more than seventy branches already. His biggest trick was using faith to control people. In a place where many think being religious means being good, Jammeh acted holy to keep power. After making himself colonel and then leaving the army, he changed how he ruled.
He made people think Allah chose him as leader. This dangerous idea spread because eager religious figures backed him up. This freed Jammeh from having to answer to the public. Religious leaders who disagreed lost everything. The spy agency watched them closely, recording their talks to report back. Several prayer leaders faced arrest just for saying things Jammeh disliked.
Imam Manjang gave a talk about visiting shrines and how it goes against Islam. He never said the name Jammeh, but still ended up arrested. The spies tortured him for days without any charges. After letting him go, they strangely sent drug agents to search his house. They found nothing there. In 2006, Jammeh brought magic workers to Gambia to remove witches from the country.
Government workers had to swear loyalty before a shrine. Many Muslims and Christians ran away rather than commit this serious sin. Others just did what they were told. Police officer Mustapha Ceesay refused and paid a harsh price. Only one political leader, named Halifa Sallah, fought against this practice. Religious elders stayed quiet about these clear violations of both faiths.
Jammeh also ran beauty contests that clearly broke Islamic rules. Yet, religious leaders said nothing about these events. One prayer leader even started a contest with a blessing. Bishop Hannah Faal bravely spoke the truth to Jammeh during a meeting. She asked permission to speak plainly as a fellow Gambian. She told him people warned her not to come because everyone felt angry with him.
She mentioned that the nation suffered greatly and asked if he knew that. By removing all enemies from the old government and the coup group, giving power to influential people, building new roads and buildings, acting religious, and bringing faith leaders to his side, Jammeh gained total control. He managed every part of life in The Gambia and ruled as a dictator for twenty-two years.
