Banjul Muslims and the Islamic Court
By Walter Hawthorne and Bala Saho
Transformation in the Culture of Law
The creation of the Muslim court by colonial British officials brought changes to the Muslim community of Bathurst and marked a shift in how law was practiced. Pre-colonial legal precedent, established by Bathurst’s regional ancestral communities prior to the Muslim court’s creation in 1905, guided court ruling long into the 20th century. But British common law and the application of it in colonial ordinances and laws transformed pre-colonial law practices. Look to the four essays below to understand how the combination of pre-colonial Gambian and Islamic laws with European legal traditions forged a new institution of law.
The "European Institutionalization" essay explains how British officials brought changes to the practice of law in the Muslim coummunity of Bathurts.
The "Record Keeping" essay provides one in depth example of how British colonialism changed the pre-colonial system of law for Muslims in the Gambia.
The "Women" essay illustrates how the introduction of the Muslim court changed women's lives in Bathurst.
The "Appeals" essay describes what individuals could do if they did not like the Muslim court ruling.
The "European Institutionalization" essay explains how British officials brought changes to the practice of law in the Muslim coummunity of Bathurts.
The "Record Keeping" essay provides one in depth example of how British colonialism changed the pre-colonial system of law for Muslims in the Gambia.
The "Women" essay illustrates how the introduction of the Muslim court changed women's lives in Bathurst.
The "Appeals" essay describes what individuals could do if they did not like the Muslim court ruling.