The Great Mosque of Djenné, the largest mud brick building in the world, is considered the greatest achievement of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style. The Great Mosque of Djenné is the largest Mud brick or Adobe building in the world and is considered by many Architects to be the greatest achievement Adobe bricks are a Natural building material made from Sand, Clay, water and some kind of fibrous or Organic material ( Sticks, The Sudano-Sahelian is an Architectural style common in the Sahel. The first mosque on the site was built in the 13th century; the current structure dates from 1907. A "mosque" in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated for Islamic worship although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller privately owned mosque and the larger Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Along with the city of Djenné, it was designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO

Muslims currently make up approximately 90 percent of the population of Mali, the largest country in West Africa. Djenné (also Dienné or Jenne) is a historically and commercially important small city in the Niger Inland Delta of central Mali. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 Mali, officially the Republic of Mali (République du Mali is a Landlocked nation in Western Africa. West Africa or Western Africa is the Westernmost Region of the African Continent. The bolaka majority of Muslims in Mali are Sunni. Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam. Sunni Islam is also referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h (Arabic

History

During the 9th century, Muslim Berber and Tuareg merchants brought Islam southward into West Africa. The 9th century is the period from 801 to 900 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. The Tuareg (also Twareg or Touareg, Amazigh: Imuhagh / Itargiyen, besides regional ethnyms are a Nomadic Islam also spread in the region by the founders of Sufi brotherhoods (tariqah). Sufism ( تصوّف - taṣawwuf, Persian: صوفی‌گری sufigari, Turkish: tasavvuf, Urdu: تصوف Tariqah ( ar طريقه; pl طرق; Ṭuruq or Persian: Tarighat, Turkish: Tarikat) means "way" Conversion to Islam linked the West African savannah through belief in one God and similar new forms of political, social and artistic accouterments. Cities including Timboktu, Gao and Kano soon became international centers of Islamic learning. Timbuktu ( Timbuctoo; Koyra Chiini: Tumbutu; French: Tombouctou) is a city in Tombouctou Region, in the West African Gao is a city in Mali and capital of the Gao Region on the River Niger, with a population of 57978 in 2005 Kano is the administrative center of the Kano State and the third largest City in Nigeria, in terms

The most significant of the Mali kings was Mansa Musa (1312-1337) who expanded Mali influence over the large Niger city-states of Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenné. Timbuktu ( Timbuctoo; Koyra Chiini: Tumbutu; French: Tombouctou) is a city in Tombouctou Region, in the West African Gao is a city in Mali and capital of the Gao Region on the River Niger, with a population of 57978 in 2005 Djenné (also Dienné or Jenne) is a historically and commercially important small city in the Niger Inland Delta of central Mali. Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim who was reported to have built various major mosques throughout the Mali sphere of influence; his gold-laden pilgrimage to Mecca made him a well known figure even in European history writing. It was under Mansa Musa that Timbuktu became one of Africa's and the world's major cultural centers. Timbuktu ( Timbuctoo; Koyra Chiini: Tumbutu; French: Tombouctou) is a city in Tombouctou Region, in the West African

Muslims in Mali

Islam as practiced in the country is reported to be relatively tolerant and adapted to local conditions. Women participate in economic and political activity, engage in social interaction, and generally do not wear veils. Islam in Mali has absorbed mystical elements, ancestor veneration and the traditional animist beliefs that still thrive. Many aspects of Malian traditional society encourage norms consistent with democratic citizenship, including tolerance, trust, pluralism, the separation of powers and the accountability of the leader to the governed.

Relations between the Muslim majority and the Christian and other religious minorities--including practitioners of traditional indigenous religions are reportd to be generally stable, although there has been a few cases of instability and tension in the past. It is relatively common to find adherents of a variety of faiths within the same family. Many followers of one religion usually attend religious ceremonies of other religions, especially weddings, baptisms, and funerals.

There are foreign Islamic preachers that operate in the north of the country, while mosques associated with Dawa (an Islamist group) are located in Kidal, Mopti, and Bamako. Islamism ( Islam + ism; Arabic: al-'islāmiyya) a set of ideologies holding that Islam is not only Kidal is a Tuareg city in northern Mali. It is the capital of Kidal Region. Mopti (Pronounced Mohti) is a city at the confluence of the Niger and the Bani in Mali, between Timbuktu and Bamako, population 1690471 (2006 is the Capital and largest city of Mali, and currently estimated to be the fastest growing city in The organisation Dawa has gained adherents among the Bellah, who were once the slaves of the Tuareg nobles, and also among unemployed youth. Bellah is a surname and may refer to James Warner Bellah (1899-1976 pulp fiction writer Robert N The interest these groups have in Dawa is based on a desire to dissociate themselves from their former masters, and to find a source of income for the youth. The Dawa sect has a strong influence in Kidal, while the Wahabi movement has been reported to been steadily growing in Timbuktu. Wahhabism ( Arabic: Al-Wahhābīyya الوهابية or Wahabism is a conservative reformist call of Sunni Islam attributed to The country's traditional approach to Islam is relatively moderate, as reflected in the ancient manuscripts from the former University of Timbuktu. The University of Timbuktu was a Medieval University in Mali, West Africa which comprised three schools namely the Masajid of Djinguereber

In August 2003, a conflict erupted in the village of Yerere when traditional Sunni practitioners attacked Wahhabi Sunnis, who were building an authorized mosque. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Wahhabism ( Arabic: Al-Wahhābīyya الوهابية or Wahabism is a conservative reformist call of Sunni Islam attributed to

Other foreign missionary groups are Christian groups that are based in Europe and engaged in development work, primarily the provision of health care and education.

Status of Religious Freedom

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion and does not permit any form of religious discrimination or intolerance by the government or individual persons. Religious discrimination is valuing or treating a person or group differently because of what they do or do not believe There is no state religion as the Constitution defines the country as a secular state and allows for religious practices that do not pose a threat to social stability and peace. A state religion (also called an official religion, established church or state church) is a religious body or Creed officially

The Government requires that all public associations, including religious associations, register with the Government. However, registration confers no tax preference and no other legal benefits, and failure to register is not penalized in practice. Traditional indigenous religions are not required to register.

A number of foreign missionary groups operate in the country without government interference. Both muslims and non-muslims are allowed to convert people freely.

The family law, including laws pertaining to divorce, marriage, and inheritance, are based on a mixture of local tradition and Islamic law and practice.

During presidential elections held in April and May 2002, the Government and political parties emphasized the secularity of the state. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. A few days prior to the elections, a radical Islamic leader called on Muslims to vote for former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubakar Keïta. The High Council of Islam, the most senior Islamic body in the country, severely criticized the statement and reminded all citizens to vote for the candidate of their choice.

In January 2002, the High Council was created to coordinate religious affairs for the entire Muslim community and standardize the quality of preaching in mosques. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. All Muslim groups in the country currently recognize its authority.

See also

• Islam by country

References

• US State Department