November 2016 Church & State - November 2015

Around The World: Extremist Sentenced For Mali Site Attacks

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A radical Islamist who oversaw the destruction of historic mausoleums in the Malian desert city of Timbuktu was found guilty of committing a war crime by an international court Sept. 27, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi pleaded guilty for taking part in the destruction of nine mausoleums and a mosque door, which were in areas occupied by Al-Qaida-linked rebels, in June and July of 2012. He was sentenced to nine years in prison. 

Once in control of the city, the radical faction imposed a strict version of Islamic law that called for the destruction of structures they considered “idolatrous.” The group ran the city for about a year before being driven out by French forces.

Human rights activists worldwide saw Al Mahdi’s conviction as a crucial step to improving Mali and respecting world cultural landmarks.

Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, hailed the verdict in a statement, calling it, “a key element in the broader response to violent extremism.”

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


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