Ansar Dine threatened with legal action in destruction of monuments

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
7/2/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Islamist group destroying holy shrines in Timbuktu described as 'war crimes'

The International Criminal Court has threatened the hard-line Islamist Ansar Dine sect in Mali that they face legal action if they do not halt their destruction of ancient Islamic monuments in Timbuktu. Members of the group have destroyed the mausoleums of Sufi saints in historic Timbuktu for two straight days.

About 30 members of the Ansar Dine group, armed with Kalashnikovs and pickaxes destroyed three mausoleums of saints this past weekend.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "My message to those involved in these criminal acts is clear: stop the destruction of the religious buildings now," Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda declared in an interview. "This is a war crime which my office has authority to fully investigate."

Bensouda wished to remind others that Mali was a signatory to the Rome Statute, a document that established the ICC and states that deliberate attacks against undefended civilian buildings which are not military objectives are a war crime.

"This includes attacks against historical monuments as well as destruction of buildings dedicated to religion," Bensouda said.

About 30 members of the group, armed with Kalashnikovs and pickaxes destroyed three mausoleums of saints this past weekend.

"They had armed men guarding the door. Just like yesterday, the population did not react. They said we need to let them do what they want, hoping that someday we will rebuild the tombs," Yaya Tandina, a local journalist told Reuters.

At least seven ancient tombs have been smashed by the rebels since Saturday. Ansar Dine's interpretation of Islam considers such places as idolatrous and calls for their destruction.
Timbuktu's independence monument, which depicts Al Farouk, a symbol of the ancient city on a horse was destroyed on Saturday.

Ansar Dine also threatened to destroy the city's three ancient mosques, one of which dates back to 1327.

The destruction comes after UNESCO listed the city as an endangered site because of the continuing violence in northern Mali and in the wake of an attack on a fifteenth century tomb in May.

"God is unique. All of this is haram [forbidden]. We are all Muslims. UNESCO is what," an Ansar Dine spokesman said.

The government of Mali has urged the outside world to take concrete steps to stop the destruction of the sites.

"Those who are destroying religious buildings in Timbuktu should do so in full knowledge that they will be held accountable and justice will prevail," she said.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

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: Ansar Dine, destruction of monuments, Mali, Timbuktu

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

0 Comments

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment