In a heartfelt broadcast marking the end of the 2025 Holy Month of Ramadan, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, addressed the nation on the eve of Eid ul-Fitr, locally known as Koriteh, extending warm congratulations to Muslims and acknowledging the Christian community’s concurrent observance of Lent and Easter. Delivered on March 30, 2025, the message underscored themes of faith, unity, and national development.
President Barrow began by praising Almighty God for guiding Gambians through another peaceful Ramadan, a time of repentance, worship, and good deeds. “I pray that Allah accepts our prayers and fulfills our expectations,” he said, while also paying respects to Christians preparing for Easter, praying for their wellbeing.
The President lauded the Muslim Umma and all who promoted peace, piety, and solidarity during the holy month, emphasizing that religious values—such as love, mercy, and good citizenship—align with The Gambia’s social and democratic principles. “These religious values perfectly match both the social values we share and the democratic principles expressed in our Constitution,” he noted, linking them to his government’s development agenda.
Highlighting the challenges of global economic crises, Barrow urged resilience and collective effort. “Fasting teaches us that life comes with trials and hardship, such as hunger and poverty,” he said. “It requires fortitude for us to stand strong against every trial or challenge to emerge victorious in the end.” He reassured citizens that his administration’s plans are yielding results but stressed the need for greater cooperation from citizens and partners to achieve more.
A key focus of the address was The Gambia’s exemplary inter-faith harmony, which Barrow described as “a shining model for others to emulate.” He called for this tolerance to extend into the political sphere, warning that “political intolerance is a global threat to peace and stability.” He urged religious leaders to unite their congregations and emphasize shared values to tackle development challenges.
President Barrow also addressed economic concerns, commending those ensuring the availability of basic commodities while appealing to businesses to prioritize affordability over profit. “Being considerate in business is a patriotic way of not only easing living conditions but also contributing to national development,” he said. He encouraged Gambians to take up farming to reduce reliance on imported goods, promising government support for agriculture and industrial production, alongside improvements in energy, infrastructure, and security.
Closing his message, Barrow congratulated all Gambians on Eid ul-Fitr, wishing for Allah’s blessings and a joyful celebration. He extended prayers for a blessed Easter to the Christian community, reaffirming his government’s commitment to the welfare of every citizen and resident. “Now that the holy month has ended, let us re-dedicate ourselves to the nation and work much harder to realize our goals,” he concluded.
