Arabic/Islamic Education in the Gambia: Its Pioneers and Other Actors

The pioneers discussed in this book were among the pioneers who shaped the trajectory of the transformation their communities underwent. They also influenced not only the lives of their contemporaries but also those of the emerging generations of Arabic/Islamic scholars within the Gambia and far afield. They succeeded in their formidable educational mission through the formation of traditional citadels of learning known as "majaalis" or "ajilisoolu"in Mandinka and "daara" in Wolof. These centres, whose products are prominent Arabic/Islamic scholars, are instrumental in the entrenchment and consolidation of Arabic/Islamic education within the community at all levels.