RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AND INTOLERANCE IN THE GAMBIA: A STUDY ON INTRAFAITH AND INTERFAITH RELATIONS AMONGST CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS

This thesis examines the dynamics of religious tolerance and intolerance in The Gambia, focusing on interfaith and intrafaith relations among Christians and Muslims. While the country is widely regarded as a model of peaceful religious coexistence, recent developments reveal growing tensions linked to sectarian divisions, discrimination, religious exclusivism, and external ideological influences. Drawing on theories of conflict, social identity, and religious economy, the study explores how religious identities are constructed, negotiated, and contested within Gambian society. Using a qualitative research approach based on semi-structured interviews with religious leaders and ordinary believers, alongside analysis of legal and human rights instruments, the research investigates the factors that promote tolerance as well as those that contribute to intolerance. The findings highlight the important role of religious leaders, state institutions, and social interactions in sustaining peaceful coexistence, while also identifying challenges posed by political manipulation, social inequalities, and inter-sectarian competition. The study contributes to broader discussions on religious pluralism, human rights, and social cohesion in multicultural societies and offers recommendations for strengthening religious freedom and interreligious harmony in The Gambia.