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| Africa Subsaharan |
| West Africa forum encourages moderate Islam |
| 2011-04-02 |
| [Maghrebia] In the face of growing attacks by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) throughout the Sahel-Saharan region, moderate African Mohammedan scholars decided to take action. They created the "Moderate Islam Forum" which held its second annual conference on Saturday (March 27th) in Nouakchott. Launched in April 2010, the forum comprises a dozen Islamic associations from across the region, including those from Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. The aim is to promote Islamic principles, which scholars say are often misunderstood and distorted by bully boys. The forum's charter establishes it as "a framework for consultation and exchanges of views to cultivate tolerance and hope in the face of extremism and violence arising from ignorance of the sacred principles upon which Islam is founded." "Our Islamic umma really needs our area to be an example for other Islamic countries when it comes to notions of moderate Islam, far removed from extremism and misguided understanding," culture ministry advisor Mohamedou Ould Hdhana said at the event's opening ceremony. The four-day conference was an opportunity for participants to attend a series of discussions about moderation in Islam. "The Islamic umma is currently going through a period marked by the emergence of a new generation of young people with aspirations for change," stressed Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Sidi, General Secretary of the Future Assembly for Preaching, Culture and Teaching. Ould Sidi said that "those who are currently in charge have failed in their duty, ignoring these aspirations, which has resulted in people resorting to extremism as a quick way of bringing about this change". |
| Posted by:Fred |