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By Dawda Baldeh
The leader of the Gambia Action Party (GAP) has pledged that a future administration under his leadership will fund state scholarships for Islamic legal studies alongside professional and technical degrees, arguing that national progress requires combining technical skills with moral leadership.
Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, GAP Secretary General and Party Leader, outlined the party’s educational vision in a policy statement, rejecting the notion that religious scholarship and modern technical expertise are mutually exclusive.
“The Gambia does not need to choose between scholars and builders. It needs scholars with skills, professionals with values, and leaders guided by knowledge and integrity. Islamic education prepares people not only for the mosque but for life, leadership, service, and nation-building,” Batchilly said.
The opposition leader emphasized that Shariah studies encompass a broad framework for ethical governance, personal conduct, and civic responsibility beyond purely religious practice.
“Shariah simply means ‘the path’ or ‘the way.’ It is the comprehensive guidance of Islam derived from the Holy Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah. It covers worship, personal conduct, family life, business ethics, justice, and moral responsibility,” Batchilly explained, adding that the field “equips people with knowledge of Islamic law, ethics, conflict resolution, and leadership, enabling them to serve their communities with wisdom and integrity.”
To implement this vision, Batchilly announced that a GAP-led government would expand the national scholarship program to cover higher education in Shariah studies in tandem with mainstream STEM and professional disciplines.
“GAP believes Islamic education is a valuable investment in our nation’s future. Alongside scholarships in medicine, engineering, science, technology, agriculture, and other professional fields, GAP will also sponsor qualified students to pursue Shariah studies, recognizing that a strong nation is built by both skilled professionals and principled scholars,” Batchilly stated.
According to the party, the policy initiative reflects a broader commitment to holistic national development by simultaneously investing in moral leadership, administrative ethics, and technical expertise across public institutions.
