Imam Fakebba Ceesay has lashed out at Imam Baba Leigh over comment he made against female circumcision also known as female genital mutilation.

Imam Ceesay denounced Imam Baba Leigh’s comment that the practice is not religious as “not true”, while challenging him to provide tangible evidence to back his claim.

“Recently, Baba Leigh stood and said that female circumcision is only culture and that it is not religious. But that’s not true. Baba Leigh is allowed to talk against the religion and people sit down and listen to him,” he said.

FGM has been outlawed in the Gambia and offenders can be punished with three years imprisonment or 50,000 dalasis fine. Despite the ban, the practice is still being undertaken secretly in the country.

However, some conservative lawmakers are seeking to table a bill to repeal the law banning the practice in the country, a move condemned by women rights activists.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba