King Mohammed VI, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita chair signing of agreement to train 500 Malian Imams with Morocco’s moderate, tolerant form of Islam to help fight extremism. Photo: MAP
Maghreb Arab Press, MACP (Bamako, Mali, September 20, 2013) – Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, and the new Malian President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, on Friday chaired the signing of an agreement on the training of 500 Malian Imams (religious scholars).
The action is part of Morocco’s contribution to reconstruct Mali and address the threat of extremism. Mali held successful presidential elections this past July after a year-long takeover of the northern part of the country by extremist groups.
Before signing the agreement, King Mohammed VI and the Malian Head of State held a private meeting, during which the Malian leader reiterated his thanks to the Moroccan King for traveling to Bamako for the inauguration ceremony and supporting efforts for peace and harmony in Mali.
The agreement, signed by Morocco’s Endowment and Islamic affairs inister, Ahmed Toufik, and Malian Minister for Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Moussa Sinko Coulibaly, addresses issues of religious cooperation, including Morocco’s commitment to train 500 Malian Imams over several years.
Morocco and Mali share the same cultural and religious identity, mainly Sunni Islam and the Maliki school of Islamic law, as well as the same values of tolerance and openness towards others. The two nations are committed to peace, security, stability, development, and good political and territorial governance in the region.
