Dozens of members of Union of African Muslims Scholars or ulemas take part in a conference that kicked off Tuesday in Nouakchott, on the importance of tolerance and moderation in the behavior of Muslims.
This meeting, the first of its kind, is initiated by the International Forum for the strengthening of peace in Muslim societies, led by the well-known Mauritanian scholar, Cheikh Aballah Ben Beya, under the theme: “The Role of Islam in Africa: Tolerance and Moderation in the face of internal struggles”.
Also read: Education and Tolerance, Two bulwarks against Violence (Imam)
The meeting aims to find ways to establish cooperation between the largest Muslim ulemas in Africa and to harmonize their position in relation to the challenge of extremism, which threatens the unity and interests of the Islamic Umma, the community of Muslim believers.
“The responsibility for anchoring the culture of tolerance and moderation is enormous and extremely important and today lies on the shoulders of the ulema,” said Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould El-Ghazaouani in his opening speech.
Also read: Fez, home to the 3rd session of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulemas
He said he was “convinced that the results of the conference will have a positive impact in rooting and spreading the noble values of Islam, including essentially the acceptance of the other and the rejection of extremism.”
The conclave knows a large participation of Many African religious leaders, including the Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal, namely the Tijanis of Medina Baye from the central city of Kaolack, located about 200 km east of Senegal’s capital, Dakar.
MOO/te/fss/abj/APA