Formation of Islamic state feared in northern Mali

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
6/14/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Negotiations between rebel factions over the application of shari'a, Islamic law continue

Tuareg and Islamist rebel groups have seized control of northern Mali earlier this year. The many different factions are now trying to find common ground for the joint administration of the territory. There are growing concerns that individual and collective freedoms will not be respected if such an alliance sets up an Islamic state.

Many Malians see the failure of the merger as proof that shari'a can't be applied in this region, particularly in cities like Timbuktu, which must preserve their reputation of openness to continue to attract tourists.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Ansar Dine, which has links to Al-Qaeda along with the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) have captured the northern part of this West African country following a coup in March.

Director of the Ahmed Baba Centre for Islamic Studies in Timbuktu Abdoul Ma�ga, one of the main cities under rebel control says the two groups have widely diametrically opposed outlooks.

"The MNLA wants to be closer to Europe where it has contacts. In contrast, Ansar Dine is oriented towards the Arab world where it has found support. I don't know if this support comes from governments or from specific groups, but it's certain that Ansar Dine's funding comes from the Middle East, particularly Qatar," Ma�ga told IPS.

An accord between the Islamists and the MNLA had been announced late last month in which they agreed to merge their armed forces and create an Islamic state in the regions of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal. The Tuareg rebels backed out of the agreement five days later, saying they wanted an independent, secular state.

"The failure of the merger announced by Ansar Dine and the MNLA did not surprise me at all," Ma�ga says. "The people in the northern regions of Mali - given the choice - will never agree to live in an Islamic state."

According to the country's High Islamic Council, an estimated 90 percent of Malians are Muslim. The northern regions, Timbuktu in particular, have all played a historically important role in the spread of Islam throughout West Africa.

"But people don't understand what is going on now. Here, Islam has never expanded by means of jihad or any other form of violence," Ma�ga says.

Many Malians see the failure of the merger as proof that shari'a can't be applied in this region, particularly in cities like Timbuktu, which must preserve their reputation of openness to continue to attract tourists.

"The northerner is by nature a free thinker. Liberty is very important to him, and that's why 90 percent of the population doesn't want these people in charge," Sado Diallo, mayor of Gao, told IPS.

A version of this story was first published by Inter Press Service news agency.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Mali, shari'a law, Timbuktu, Tuareg

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