Gambia bans drumming, dancing and music during Ramadan

Gambia has banned music, dancing and drumming during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on pain of being arrested – and people are complying, police said.

Ordinary citizens in the small west African country – whose president declared it an Islamic state in December – are being urged to report anyone seen engaging in the activities to authorities, a spokesperson said on Monday.

A police statement published last week warned that "all ceremonies, festivities and programmes that involve drumming, music and dance during the day or at night are prohibited".