As part of a drive against growing extremism, Islamic scholars gathered in Mauritania to share their moderate vision.
In the face of growing attacks by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) throughout the Sahel-Saharan region, moderate African Muslim 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 extremists.
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".
"Play your role in pursuing the work of the Prophet (peace be upon him) by sending out his moderate message and spreading his religion among the peoples of the world," Future Assembly chairman Mohamed El Hassan Ould Dedew told participants.
The representatives from West African associations seized the opportunity to check on the progress of Islamist ideology of their respective countries.
Professor Mohamed Toulabi, representing the World Islamic Forum, said that it was "moderate thinking which will govern this 21st century, thinking which rejects extreme western secularism as much as Islamic extremism".
In their closing communiqué, conference attendees agreed to invite Islamic associations from Tunisia, Guinea-Conakry and Libya to the group. They also decided to set up a moderate club for young people and another one in a similar vein for women. They plan to hold their next conference in Mach 2012 in Nouakchott.
© Magharebia.com 2011
