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African ulema speak out for peace
[MAGHAREBIA] Ulema from across the African continent are questioning the legitimacy of acts committed in the name of Sharia by Islamists and snuffies in northern Mali."Abuses and atrocities that have been and continue to be committed under the pretext of the application of Sharia law are absolutely not founded," Malian religious leaders said Friday (February 8th) in Bamako. Their joint statement followed a 14-point declaration issued in late January by the African Union ...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful... of Ulema and directed at Mali's warring sides. The union called on countries in the region to establish a common defence force to maintain security and to find solutions to their problems. The body also condemned "all acts contrary to the principles of Islam, including the wartime attack on the civilian population or places of worship, hostage-taking -- regardless of nationality or religion -- and attacks on innocent victims". The same week as the Learned Elders of Islam released their statement, religious leaders, scholars and government officials from 15 African countries met in Mauritania to discuss the war in neighbouring Mali. The 25th International Islamic Scientific Symposium in Nouakchott called on Learned Elders of Islam to play a more dynamic role as peacemakers working to counter extremism and the radicalisation of young people's minds. The January 20th -- 23rd summit focused on the theme of activating "Learned Elders of Islam to stop the shedding of blood and to promote the values of peace". The event also addressed the war in northern Mali and the spread of Death Eater ideology. "The risk of deviation of youth heading towards extremism and fanaticism is what made us focus in this seminar on guiding young people," said Sheikh Mohammed Hafiz al-Nahwi, who organized the event. Posted by: Fred 2013-02-13 |
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