Sankore Society recently held a meeting with Mr. Madi Jobarteh, Chairman of the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), to discuss the possibility of a strategic partnership between the two organizations.
The conversation focused on three key areas where Sankore Society has established expertise: Justice, Peace Building, and Human Transformation. Both parties explored how a collaboration could strengthen ongoing efforts to promote justice, foster peace, and support transformative change within Gambian communities.
Mr. Jobarteh, a respected human rights advocate and Chairman of EFSCRJ, brought valuable insight into the meeting, drawing on the Centre’s long-standing work in rights advocacy and civic engagement. The discussion highlighted shared values between the two organizations and the potential for a partnership that amplifies impact in these critical areas.
Speaking at the meeting, Imam al-Azam Jabbie of Sankore Society emphasized that The Gambia’s challenges are not simply due to a lack of institutions or infrastructure:
“Our greatest resource is our people, and we must invest in building their character, values, knowledge, integrity, and sense of human dignity. We can have different ethnic, cultural, religious, and political backgrounds, but we must share fundamental principles of justice, dignity, integrity, and respect. Unity does not require uniformity.”
Imam Jabbie also spoke on the need for a correct understanding and teaching of Islam in The Gambia:
“We must distinguish between the universal teachings and prophetic mission of Muhammad and aspects of his personal or Arab cultural context. Islam does not require an African to abandon his African identity or culture. You can be fully Muslim and fully African at the same time. Islam came with universal principles of faith, morality, justice, and human dignity, not to erase the legitimate cultural identities of peoples.”
Sankore Society remains committed to its mission of “Building people, Transforming societies,” and views this engagement as a meaningful step toward deeper collaboration with like-minded institutions working for justice and social transformation in The Gambia.
We look forward to continued dialogue with the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice as this partnership takes shape.
