April 21, 2005

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania/GENEVA – Speaking serenely but firmly, Sheikh Khalil Ould Cheikhny emphasized: "We need a reformation, not fanaticism, to solve the problems in Africa." The Muslim dignitary was speaking to an audience of 500 people seated inside a large Bedouin tent discussing what interfaith dialogue entails, together with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, and members of his delegation.

Inside the tent sparsely lit with neon lights, oversized transparent banners revealed the Muslim village community's willingness to be engaged in open discussion. The declaration of the nearly 3,000 inhabitants of Maata Moulana reads " Yes to Inter-Faith Cooperation toward Peace in Africa and in the World." The settlement, a spiritual center which attracts Qur'anic students from the whole of West Africa and many other countries, is located 180 kilometers southeast of the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott.

Sheikh Khaithy Ould Moma pointed out, "We wish to cooperate in order to be able to live peacefully in Africa." The differences should not be overemphasized, because Islam does not distinguish itself from Jesus [Christ] and Mary [the mother of Jesus] all that much." As a proof of Islamic tolerance in Mauritania, he referred to the fact that there is a church located right opposite the mosque in Nouakchott, an opinion shared by many of the sheikhs and imams present. In their statements, they all stressed their willingness to be engaged in inter-religious dialogue including a focus on the common origins and values of Islam and Christianity, and the tolerant approach of the Islamic religion in Mauritania.

Noko pointed out that Africa was going through a severe crisis, and described the common fight against poverty, human rights issues, the role of women in society, the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as resolving and preventing conflicts as major concerns. He stressed the time had come for religious leaders to seek common solutions to respond to the urgent need for healing on the continent.

The general secretary hopes to see such support at the Second Inter-Faith Action for Peace Summit in Africa to be held in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, near Johannesburg, South Africa April 2005. In Nouakchott, when he met with 80 Muslim dignitaries, government and non-governmental organizations' (NGOs) representatives and journalists, Noko spoke about the need for interfaith dialogue in Africa. His February 22-26 visit was to mark the 30th anniversary of the LWF Department for World Service (DWS) presence in the northwestern African country.

The LWF has been active in Mauritania through the DWS program since October 1974, following severe consequences of a prolonged drought that started in the early 1970s. Although the field program initially focused its work on disaster and emergency humanitarian assistance, its scope has since expanded to include the promotion of an integrated community. There are projects that help to mobilize and support local NGOs, increase HIV/AIDS awareness, promote environmental protection, advocacy and human rights related activities, gender issues, as well as support to rural population groups living in abject poverty and other marginalized communities.

Over 99 percent of the 2.8 million people in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania are Muslims, with only a dwindling minority of Christians. Noko described the several decades of close cooperation between the LWF and Mauritanian government as a remarkable testimony that the Abrahamic religions were able to work together in numerous areas in mutual respect of each other, and on the basis of common values. During a meeting with Mauritanian President, Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, the LWF general secretary stressed the need for the kind of tolerance practiced in Mauritania.

Lutheran World Information
By Dirk-Michael Gritzsch, LWI German editor, who was in Nouakchott for the DWS Mauritania 30th anniversary celebrations.