His Excellency President Adama Barrow, acting under Section 76 (1) of the Constitution (1997) of the Republic of The Gambia, is pleased to declare Monday, August 8th 2022, a Public Holiday throughout The Gambia, in observance of the Muslim feast of Yawmal Ashura (Tamharit), which marks the first month of the Islamic calendar on Sunday, 7th August 2022.
The President wishes to take this opportunity to extend best wishes to all Muslims who are celebrating this important holiday. President Barrow urges all Gambians to continue to adhere to the principles of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
The tenth day of Muharram is the day of ‘Ashura’. Unlike any other Islamic festival, Ashura is not a festival of joy and celebration. It is a sacred festival in remembrance of the death of Husayn Ibn Ali. Muslims observe the day by wearing black color clothes and visiting mosques and shrines. Ashura is observed differently among Shi’a and Sunni Muslims.
