Speaking to thousands of Gambians at the Independence Stadium on Saturday, Mufti Menk said its okay for a woman to call her husband romantic names.

The famous Islamic scholar said there is nothing haram in being romantic or calling your partner a name that would make his heart sing with happiness.

It was Mufti's first public lecture in The Gambia and as expected, people from all works of life thronged the stadium to listen to him.

During his brief stay, he met President Adama Barrow and some of his ministers at the State House in Banjul.

In an interview with journalists, the Zimbabwean-born said one of the reasons for his Independence Stadium lecture is to promote peace and build bridges.