A heated controversy has erupted after young Gambian imam Abdul Kareem Kuyateh declared during a Friday sermon that the annual Magal of Touba is haram. The Magal, a religious pilgrimage celebrated by the Mouride brotherhood in Senegal and beyond, draws millions of worshippers each year.
In his sermon, Imam Kuyateh told worshippers:
“The Magal Touba is not part of Islam. Anyone who goes there and dies will end up in hell.”
He went even further, controversially claiming that nightclub-goers are “better” than those who travel to Touba for the pilgrimage.
The remarks quickly sparked outrage within the Mouride community, who described them as deeply offensive and disrespectful to their faith. A police complaint has already been filed, while the Senegalese group Team Ibadu Rahman expressed support for the imam, urging him not to apologize.
Faced with mounting tensions, the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs issued an official statement condemning the sermon and offering a formal apology to the Mouride community:
“We extend a heartfelt apology to the Mouride community, both within The Gambia and around the world. We acknowledge the significant pain and misunderstanding these statements have caused.”
The Ministry further confirmed that Imam Kuyateh had since admitted his mistake, repented, and issued his own apology. Still, officials stressed that such remarks were “entirely unacceptable and must not be tolerated within our ranks.” The government concluded by reaffirming the Mourides’ role as an “integral pillar of the Muslim Ummah.”
Critical Analysis
This incident highlights more than just a clash of theological interpretations — it exposes the fragile balance between religious freedom, state authority, and community respect in The Gambia.
On the one hand, Imam Kuyateh’s sermon raises difficult questions about freedom of expression in religious discourse. Should an imam be silenced, punished, or forced to repent for voicing his interpretation of Islam, however harsh it may sound? From a freedom-of-speech perspective, his remarks, while offensive to many, fall under his right to express a religious opinion.
On the other hand, the government’s swift apology illustrates the political sensitivity surrounding the Mouride brotherhood. The Mourides are not just a religious community — they are a powerful socio-political force in Senegal and, by extension, in The Gambia. Offending them risks diplomatic friction, social unrest, and the alienation of a community that commands loyalty from millions across the sub-region. The state’s need to intervene therefore reflects not only a concern for interfaith harmony but also for regional stability.
There is also the question of public trust in religious leadership. When imams make divisive or inflammatory statements, they risk deepening sectarian rifts within Islam itself. Comparing pilgrims to nightclub-goers, for instance, may win rhetorical points with one audience but alienates millions of others who see the Magal as an expression of devotion. Such rhetoric threatens unity in a region already grappling with religious and political tensions.
Ultimately, the controversy reveals a deeper struggle: how can Gambian society protect free religious expression while also maintaining respect for pluralism within Islam? If every theological disagreement becomes a national scandal, the space for honest dialogue shrinks. Yet if harmful rhetoric is left unchecked, it risks fueling intolerance.
The challenge for The Gambia is therefore to navigate this fine line — ensuring that imams and scholars remain free to interpret scripture, while also promoting a culture of respect where criticism does not devolve into insult.
By Kebba Cledor Jammeh
