ISESCO objects to military interference in N Mali

The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, speaking at a press conference in Morocco's capital, Rabat, that the organisation was against the military controlling northern Mali because it would give "the militants reason to destroy what remains of mosques, buildings and civilised landmarks in Timbuktu, which are part of the world's heritage." The Director General of ISESCO  that a delegation from the organisation will travel to Bamako to hold meetings with financial authorities, and assess the damage to the heritage city of Timbuktu caused by Islamic militants. During the press conference  held at the ISESCO headquarter on Tuesda, Altwaikri confirmed  that a delegation from the organisation would  visit a number of African countries which share concerns over the damage done to the Islamic heritage of northern Mali. "The damage caused to such important heritage by Islamic militants groups, contradicts the principles and behaviour of a tolerant Islam" adding that violations should be dealt with "using a prophetic approach based on wisdom and good counsel and not through destruction and intimidation." The organisation suggested sending a delegation of Muslim scholars to the Republic of Mali to facilitate meetings with the Islamic groups that control  the north of Mali to prevent any further attacks on historic monuments and "to appeal to their better natures that Muslims have been keeping an eye on this heritage for centuries". M  Altawijri expressed his sorrow for the destroyed heritage in Northern Mali saying that it reflects badly on the reputation of Islam, and depicts Muslims "as primitive groups  who deal with their disputes through violence, murder and destruction." He said he would hold a meeting with Bokova Irina, the Director General of UNESCO, to present her with the results of the technical team on the ISESCO fact-finding mission to northern Mali and the historical city of Timbuktu particularly. Timbuktu was established at the beginning of the 5th Century after hijra in the Islamic calender  (11th AD), and from that date it became the crucible of Islam and a crossroads for Arabs, Berbers and Africans. The city contains a number of important Islamic features, crowned  by the central Djingareyber mosque which is considered to be one of the largest and oldest desert mosques in Africa. Extremist Islamic groups which seized control of northern Mali at the end of June, have attempted to destroy a number of Islamic sites in historical Timbuktu, claiming they are idolatrous, which has led to a public and international outcry calling for calling for immediate action to protect these World Heritage sites from further destruction.