The newly appointed leader of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) has unveiled his new executive at a press briefing in Brufut.

Sheriff Muhammad Ba Nano Hydara last Friday named his 22 member cabinet after a bitter leadership feud had plagued the council over who had mandate to run the affairs of the organisation.

The new executive members are: Abubacarr Jabbi Vice President, Basiru Jallow Second Vice President,  Abubacarr Darboe Secretary General,  Malick Ceesay Assistant Secretary General,  Husainou Touray Spokesperson,  Foday Mahamudu Touray, Education Secretary,  Muhammad Lamin Fadera Deputy Education Secretary,  Abubacarr Jallow Treasurer,  Ebrahima Saidykhan Deputy Treasurer,  Imam Tamsir Gaye,  Chairman,  Ahmadou Kebba Sillah Deputy Chairman, Abdoulie Haly Kanteh Projects Officer,  Karamba Jabbi, Special Adviser,  Yakuba Sillah Deputy Adviser,  Alhaji Abdoulie Ceesay Third Adviser,  Dr Baba Abubacarr Drammeh, Advising Committee Chairman, Bamini Jaiteh, Seringe Alieu Saho, Auditor General and Kabiro Samura Preachers Officer.

“Today is my birthday, and today also I have started my official duties and by the will of God, the trust and confident bestow on me, I will fulfil that,” Sheriff Muhammad Ba Nano Hydara said.

“As far as the Gambia Islamic leaders (have) appointed me as the new leader of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, then I can assure you that as from today I’m the new Gambia Supreme Islamic Council leader,” he added.

Sheriff Hydara assured Gambians that they would execute the task that have been given to them. He said his executive “is also ready to work with people who are ready to solve the country’s problems”.

He called on all Muslims in the country especially those who didn’t vote for him to put their differences aside and work for the peace and stability of the country.

“There cannot be any peace in this country in the absence of religion,” he said.

Dr Baba Abubacarr Drammeh, chairman of the Advising Committee said: “What we have done here today is legal and accepted by all the Muslims in this country. We should not sit like that, we have to take actions because their term (former executive) has expired, and Supreme Islamic Council is the umbrella body of the Islamic Organisation in this country.”

Dr Drammeh alleged that Imam Mamadou Lamin Touray (the former president) and his executive were “unanimously appointed based on consensus and not election”.