Mali’s High Islamic Council recently presented the government with a document focused on preventing extremist rhetoric and promoting a religious discourse conducive to peace. The authorities want to involve religious leaders and communities more closely in prevention efforts.
Ibrahim Kontao, first vice-president of the High Islamic Council of Mali, handed the “Bamako Document for the Deconstruction of Extremist Discourse” to Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga at a ceremony held at the Bamako International Conference Centre.
The prime minister received the document on behalf of transitional President Assimi Goïta.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the text is intended as a contribution to preventing extremist rhetoric and promoting religious discourse based on peace and responsibility.
Kontao called for the document to be disseminated among Muslim communities and advocated a response tailored to the rhetoric used by extremist groups.
The prime minister, for his part, called for religious organisations, civil society and public institutions to be involved in disseminating the document and implementing its recommendations.
The Malian authorities say they want to complement the security response with prevention, awareness-raising and dialogue involving religious leaders and communities.
The initiative is in line with the work of the Committee for Reflection on the Prevention of Unrest in the Religious Sphere, established at the initiative of the head of state to encourage consultation among religious leaders.
Maïga also called for greater efforts to protect young people from hate speech, intolerance and calls for violence.
Representatives of various religious denominations attended Thursday’s ceremony.
The full text of the Bamako Document and details of its recommendations were not included in the official statement issued after the ceremony.
MD/te/Sf/lb/as/APA