This provides a good overview of Islam in Mali.. and also touches on its past in terms of culture and trade. Muslims in Mali Islam as practiced in the country is reported to be relatively tolerant and adapted to local conditions. Women participate in economic and political activity, engage in social interaction, and generally do not wear veils. Islam in Mali has absorbed mystical elements, ancestor veneration and the traditional animist beliefs that still thrive. Many aspects of Malian traditional society encourage norms consistent with democratic citizenship, including tolerance, trust, pluralism, the separation of powers and the accountability of the leader to the governed. Relations between the Muslim majority and the Christian and other religious minoritiesincluding practitioners of traditional indigenous religions are reported to be generally stable, although there has been a few cases of instability and tension in the past. It is relatively common to find adherents of a variety of faiths within the same family. Many followers of one religion usually attend religious ceremonies of other religions, especially weddings, baptisms, and funerals. There are foreign Islamic preachers that operate in the north of the country, while mosques associated with Dawa (an Islamist group) are located in Kidal, Mopti, and Bamako. The organization Dawa has gained adherents among the Bellah, who were once the slaves of the Tuareg nobles, and also among unemployed youth. The interest these groups have in Dawa is based on a desire to dissociate themselves from their former masters, and to find a source of income for the youth. The Dawa sect has a strong influence in Kidal, while the Wahabi movement has been reported to been steadily growing in Timbuktu. The country's traditional approach to Islam is relatively moderate, as reflected in the ancient manuscripts from the former University of Timbuktu. The constitution provides for freedom of religion and does not permit any form of religious discrimination or intolerance by the government or individual persons. There is no state religion as the constitution defines the country as a secular state and allows for religious practices that do not pose a threat to social stability and peace. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Mali#Status_of_religious_freedom
EU in Mali for the long haul... EU must stay in Mali to end security threat: top official Sat, Jan 26, 2013 - Europe will have to stay in Mali for the long haul as military victory alone cannot remove the security threat looming in the EU’s backyard, the bloc’s counter-terror coordinator Gilles de Kerchove said. See also: AU Security Council Calls for More Troops in Mali January 25, 2013 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — The African Union Peace and Security Council says more troops are needed for the African military force being deployed in Mali. The AU security council Friday called on African countries to deploy the soldiers quickly.
Islamists forcin' lil' kids to fight in war... Child soldier's tale illustrates Mali's dirty war Jan 26,`13 -- The boy sits with his knees tucked under his chest on the concrete floor of the police station here, his adolescent face a tableau of fear. He's still garbed in the knee-length tunic he was ordered to wear by the Islamic extremist who recruited him.
Nothing to indicate the soldiers in the pic did the beheading. If they did, it's only because of their respect for Islamic values and a sensitivity to the locals' cultural values, of which beheadings are a wildly popular favorite in every Muslim dominated country, and had been for over a millenia and half, so what's the problem? Does embracing diversity not apply to Europeans?
UN runnin' appalling refugee camp in Mauritania... Mali refugees endure 'appalling' Mauritania camp 12 April 2013 - Thousands of refugees fleeing conflict in Mali are enduring "appalling" conditions in a UN-run camp in Mauritania, a medical charity warns.
23 prisoners with ties to rebels freed... Mali Leader Dissolves Army Reform Panel October 03, 2013 The president of Mali dissolved a committee that was formed to reform the army and the government has freed 23 prisoners with rebel ties, in a move that could reopen negotiations with the MNLA rebel group.
Radisson Hotel in Bamako hit by terrorists... Gunmen Kill at Least 3 Hostages in Attack on Hotel in Mali Capital November 20, 2015 - Gunmen are believed to have taken as many as 170 guests and hotel workers hostage at Radisson in Bamako, with reports saying some hostages have been released after reciting verses from Quran See also: Fourteen killed by two female suicide bombers in Nigeria Fri, Nov 20, 2015 - Two female suicide bombers blew themselves up at a mobile phone market in the northern Nigerian city of Kano on Wednesday, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 100, the nations emergency response agency said.
Dis cat hath 9 lives... Mokhtar Belmokhtar: Veteran jihadist whose Al Murabitoon group claimed responsibility for the Mali hotel attack 20 Nov.`15 | The 43-year-old has been nicknamed 'the uncatchable one' after being reported dead several times in recent years
So which is correct, A or B? A. Mohammad was RIGHT, and the Mali government is WRONG (Mohammad said to kill those who leave their Islamic religion, and Q9:5/Q9:29 discriminate based on religion). OR B. Mohammad was WRONG, and the Mali government is RIGHT. Which is it, Margot, A or B? - - - Updated - - - I get the feeling that you don't understand Islam. So can you please tell us the three worst things in the Islamic texts, in your opinion (off the top of your head). Thanks.
Prob'ly the only meal of the day for many students... Halting school meals in Mali could keep thousands of children out of class - UN Wednesday 28th September, 2016 - Taking away school meals from 180,000 pupils going back to class in Mali, where insecurity has closed schools in the north, may deprive even more children of an education, the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.
"It was there that he is believed to have lost his left eye while mishandling explosives. He now wears a distinctive false eye in its place" ------------------------------------------------------------ He could try drilling a hole through it to help him see better.
