http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/99FB3C3F-06A0-40ED-9071-63548A256301.htm
Mauritania bans religious speeches
Monday 16 May 2005, 11:21 Makka Time, 8:21 GMT
The West African country has arrested many opposition
figures
The Mauritanian authorities have banned religious speeches and
teachings in the country's mosques.
Aljazeera's correspondent said the ban, which excluded the Friday
speech (khutba) during the noon prayer, aimed at halting what they said was
chaos in the mosques.
The Mauritanian security forces have been carrying out search
operations in mosques in the capital, Nouakchott, after the arrest of several
Islamist leaders and Salafi figures.
The crackdown in the West African country, which straddles black
and Arab Africa, comes after the authorities said al-Qaida was recruiting and
training Mauritanians to fight in Iraq.
Search operations
"There are at least 10 mosques which have been searched by the
police. They took copies of the Quran," said one opposition source, declining
to be named.
No government or police officials were available to comment.
"There are at least 10 mosques which have been searched by
the police. They took copies of the Quran"
Opposition source
Although an Islamic republic, Mauritanian law bans any party based
solely on religion, and analysts say it is one of the most repressive countries
in the region towards Islamist movements.
International Crisis Group said in a report this week Mauritania's
attempts to stifle opposition groups by denouncing them as terrorists risked
backfiring.
Mauritanian police have arrested scores of Islamic opposition
leaders and activists since last month, accusing them of colluding with the
Algerian-based Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC).
They also accuse Islamist movements of plotting to destabilise the
Mauritanian government.
Aljazeera + Agencies
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