The Office of the President is pleased to inform the general public that His Excellency, Adama Barrow, the President of the Republic of The Gambia has declared the following days as public holidays throughout the country.

Monday, 25 December 2017
Tuesday, 26 December 2017
Monday, 1st January 2018

The holidays are in honour of Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ, son of Holy Mary and the New Year.

As Christians around the world celebrate Christmas day with thanksgiving and prayers, President Adama Barrow called on Gambians to continue to be the shining example of the world for peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims. While there is intolerance and mistrust about religious beliefs of different faiths elsewhere in the world, The Gambia has been known for its religious tolerance worthy of emulation. As we are in the festive mood, President Barrow called for all Gambians to redouble their efforts in rededicating ourselves to the development of our country.

In The Gambia, Christians share the festivities with families and friends. During the festive season, Muslims in The Gambia also show solidarity and good neigbourliness to the Christian community. The celebrations in the Greater Banjul Area in particular, are marked with masquerade festivities leading to the New Year with traditional “Fanal” festivities.

President Barrow and the first family wish to take this opportunity to wish the Christian community a blessed holiday and to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.