Gambia bans face masks, undermines religious freedom of Niqabi students

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The Gambia College School of Nursing and Midwifery has sparked widespread debate following its enforcement of a policy banning face masks, which has disproportionately impacted Niqabi students.

At least six students have reportedly received warning letters for refusing to comply, and the administration has threatened suspension unless their parents meet with school officials.

The controversy stems from a February 2024 incident at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul, where Matron Fatou Sonko reportedly instructed a Niqabi student to remove her face mask in a public setting. This incident laid the foundation for a campus-wide ban on face masks, which the college claims is a necessary part of its dress code policy.

The enforcement of the ban has intensified, with the Head of the Midwifery Department, Mrs. Kumba Khan, reportedly confiscating face masks and issuing formal warnings to students who refuse to comply.

For many of the affected students, the policy is seen as an attack on their religious beliefs. “We are being punished for practicing our faith,” one student told The Alkamba Times.

Another student expressed frustration, saying, “This was not part of the dress code we were given.”

The Islamic Students Association (ISA) has condemned the policy, labeling it discriminatory and urging the administration to reconsider. “This policy unfairly targets Niqabi students and undermines their right to religious expression,” an ISA representative stated.

The college administration has defended the policy, arguing that it aligns with institutional requirements. However, critics claim it contradicts principles of religious freedom and inclusion, which are fundamental in educational spaces.